Reef Tank LED Lighting - High PAR - Low Cost DIY

[ryaneogilvie]

Hello all,

I'm new here but have had a 75g (+20g sump) reef tank for the past couple years, and been constantly reading posts from afar for many years.

I just built a lighting setup for it. I wrote a DIY guide (easier to put on instructables than a forum because it is a bit long). But would love to share it here and get feedback for improvement. This is my latest build with hopefully more iteration to come so would love to get feedback or thoughts. I plan to make it look a bit nicer, but this is the first working prototype of this version.

https://www.instructables.com/Reef-Tank-LED-Lighting-High-PAR-Low-Cost-DIY/

I can already tell it's way better than my last lighting solution since my anemonoe has gotten the biggest I have ever seen it even in just like 2 days of testing this new light.

PS: I've also done a lot of other DIY for my tank, like building the entire base, wiring/programming an auto top off solenoid valve connected to a float valve and RODI system, 3D printed filter sock holders, and others. I'm happy to share if there is interest in any of those.

- Ryan

 

[HappyFm]

Hello all,

I'm new here but have had a 75g (+20g sump) reef tank for the past couple years, and been constantly reading posts from afar for many years.

I just built a lighting setup for it. I wrote a DIY guide (easier to put on instructables than a forum because it is a bit long). But would love to share it here and get feedback for improvement. This is my latest build with hopefully more iteration to come so would love to get feedback or thoughts. I plan to make it look a bit nicer, but this is the first working prototype of this version.

https://www.instructables.com/Reef-Tank-LED-Lighting-High-PAR-Low-Cost-DIY/

I can already tell it's way better than my last lighting solution since my anemonoe has gotten the biggest I have ever seen it even in just like 2 days of testing this new light.

PS: I've also done a lot of other DIY for my tank, like building the entire base, wiring/programming an auto top off solenoid valve connected to a float valve and RODI system, 3D printed filter sock holders, and others. I'm happy to share if there is interest in any of those.

- Ryan

I also enjoy DIY. Completing my aquarium by hand and watching it grow based on those devices is really fascinating.

I have a bit of feedback about the light design, mainly concerning the spectrum.
You are only using blue and white lights, right?
While the PAR may be quite high, the focus on wavelengths suitable for corals could be reduced.
The lack of proper wavelengths (even though white lights can provide a full spectrum, they are not concentrated at specific wavelengths) could lead to a long-term reduction in coral pigmentation.
This also decreases the energy absorption of corals since chlorophyll ABC does not only use blue light for photosynthesis.
Overall, this could increase operational costs because the energy generated may be wasted.
Which LED brand are you using? Do you have specific specifications?

 

[HappyFm]

That's impressive! The Cree V3 LEDs are indeed known for their high efficiency. The ability to achieve 50-70 PAR with just 8 LEDs at 50W power consumption is a great result, especially without using reflectors. It shows the potential of well-chosen LEDs for efficient light output and low energy usage.

Your estimation with the mobile app is a good way to compare, even if there might be some margin for error. It’s also interesting that you've compared it to the M029 + K7V3 light, which may offer useful context for understanding the light intensity at different setups. Cree V3 LEDs, especially in the blue spectrum, are well-suited for aquariums as they offer strong light output while being energy-efficient.

 

[VintageReefer]

I would add in those UV clusters

 

[ryaneogilvie]

I also enjoy DIY. Completing my aquarium by hand and watching it grow based on those devices is really fascinating.

I have a bit of feedback about the light design, mainly concerning the spectrum.
You are only using blue and white lights, right?
While the PAR may be quite high, the focus on wavelengths suitable for corals could be reduced.
The lack of proper wavelengths (even though white lights can provide a full spectrum, they are not concentrated at specific wavelengths) could lead to a long-term reduction in coral pigmentation.
This also decreases the energy absorption of corals since chlorophyll ABC does not only use blue light for photosynthesis.
Overall, this could increase operational costs because the energy generated may be wasted.
Which LED brand are you using? Do you have specific specifications?

1. 100W Blue (440-450nm) LED Array: https://a.co/d/4gEHhWZ
2. 100W Cool White (10,000-15,000K) LED Array: https://a.co/d/4R5cDx6

So the LEDs I have running right now are 4 Cool white (10,000-15,000K) (2 - 50Wversions , 2 - 100W versions) and 2 Royal Blue (440-450nm) 100Win between. So 3/5 White (10,000-15,000K), 2/5 Blue (445nm). The company didn't publish spectrums, but looking for similiarly marketed device. I expect something like these:

white light spectrum: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/20000k-and-30000k-led-spectrum.725445/post-7543880

Blue 450nm LED: https://www.moon-leds.com/product-royal-blue-450nm-3535-smd-led.html

It appears they may be a little lower than I'd like in the 460-500nm range, favoring the ~440nm range but I was considering adding some blue 460-470nm LED and/or replacing the 440nm with those to improve that range. I think the rest of the spectrum is covered well based on the chlorophyll absorbtion charts I have seen, but not completely sure.

 

[jsmkmavity]

These look like they would compare to something like kessil style lights in size and output, is that correct? I have considered doing a diy light for some time, but wat thinking mor of the multi small led array spread out to 12"-16".

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hello all,

I'm new here but have had a 75g (+20g sump) reef tank for the past couple years, and been constantly reading posts from afar for many years.

I just built a lighting setup for it. I wrote a DIY guide (easier to put on instructables than a forum because it is a bit long). But would love to share it here and get feedback for improvement. This is my latest build with hopefully more iteration to come so would love to get feedback or thoughts. I plan to make it look a bit nicer, but this is the first working prototype of this version.

https://www.instructables.com/Reef-Tank-LED-Lighting-High-PAR-Low-Cost-DIY/

I can already tell it's way better than my last lighting solution since my anemonoe has gotten the biggest I have ever seen it even in just like 2 days of testing this new light.

PS: I've also done a lot of other DIY for my tank, like building the entire base, wiring/programming an auto top off solenoid valve connected to a float valve and RODI system, 3D printed filter sock holders, and others. I'm happy to share if there is interest in any of those.

- Ryan

This is really neat! Congrats on being able to fully make a DIY light like this

 

[HappyFm]

1. 100W Blue (440-450nm) LED Array: https://a.co/d/4gEHhWZ
2. 100W Cool White (10,000-15,000K) LED Array: https://a.co/d/4R5cDx6

So the LEDs I have running right now are 4 Cool white (10,000-15,000K) (2 - 50Wversions , 2 - 100W versions) and 2 Royal Blue (440-450nm) 100Win between. So 3/5 White (10,000-15,000K), 2/5 Blue (445nm). The company didn't publish spectrums, but looking for similiarly marketed device. I expect something like these:

white light spectrum: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/20000k-and-30000k-led-spectrum.725445/post-7543880

Blue 450nm LED: https://www.moon-leds.com/product-royal-blue-450nm-3535-smd-led.html

It appears they may be a little lower than I'd like in the 460-500nm range, favoring the ~440nm range but I was considering adding some blue 460-470nm LED and/or replacing the 440nm with those to improve that range. I think the rest of the spectrum is covered well based on the chlorophyll absorbtion charts I have seen, but not completely sure.

LED PAR Test • Orphek Reef Aquarium LED Lighting

LED PAR test results of all Orphek LED Products including chromaticity charts can be found here.

orphek.com

I referred to the information published by Orphek, which states that a 10k light only produces half the energy compared to blue-only bulbs.
White light also lacks UV spectrum.
Would the excess energy in green, yellow, and red cause an algae outbreak?

Theoretically, we should reduce white light and replace it with bulbs of specific wavelengths like UV, violet, cyan, etc.
Sorry about these things, but I am really concerned about the cost effectiveness / energy efficiency / spectrum.