Anyone running cree LEDs?

[johntan]

I'm thinking about upgrading my 24" 4 x 24 T5's for this set of LED's on my 30 gal. Anyone have experience with these? I've heard good things, but am I going to get enough lighting? Thanks!

 

[Jocko]

I doubt that would be enough light. Although on the plus side you could always expand it.

Can you confirm the dimension of your tank and also what kinds of critters you keep?

 

[DoctaQ]

depends on how big your tank is, and what dimensions, but i would imagine you would need at least 24 leds no matter the dimensions

 

[PasstheTorch]

If your using a 24 inch t5 light, 12 LEDs will creat huge blank spots on the ends of the tank, and will give you a large spotlight effect. 24 leds are gunn a be a must. The Up front cost is a lot, butnthe power savings and longevity (50,000 hours) of the LEDs make it worth it. And the fact that they look awesome.

 

[DoctaQ]

that model of driver will also require a second power source to create a reference voltage to turn on
if you have a controller, you can get a module to ramp up and down the lighting, otherwise a little power brick and a knob will let you dim

if you want something simpler an lpc series are just constant current with no adjustability and no need for the reference voltage.

youll also need a heatsink of some sort

 

[johntan]

tank dimensions are 30 long x 18 high x 12 wide, it's a mixed reef so down low are my softies/zoos lps low/mid and sps sit right up top about 3" below the waterline, but I want to go way brighter the sps doesn't have quite the color it could

 

[aiaman]

Rule of thumb I use is surface area divided by 12 or 15 inches/led
In your 30 x 12 tank=24 to 30 LEDs
30 LEDs = 3 drivers
But I'd do 36 LEDs w/3 drivers
Than youll have a bright tank

 

[DoctaQ]

24 might do though, esp considering that they were going for a 24 inch fixture initially