led questions

[Anthony.Luciano710]

how many 3w cree leds should i use for a 125 gallon sps tank?

 

[batt600]

125 watt or 125 gallon

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

125 gallon tank

125 watt or 125 gallon

 

[batt600]

If you are keeping SPS the you will need 72 whites and 72 blues . If not keeping SPS then 54 whites and 54 blues with 80deg optic that will give you light valve of 250 to 400 MH if going with the 72 white and 72 blues. If going with the 54 whites and 54 blues it will valve of a 175 to 250 MH

 

[Widdy]

Really need tank dimensions to determine amount of LEDs needed. Quantity doesn't equate to intensity; it equates to coverage. Degree of optics\lens to determine water height penetration.

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok cool and do i need like a lens or can i just go without the lens.

If you are keeping SPS the you will need 72 whites and 72 blues . If not keeping SPS then 54 whites and 54 blues

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

72x18x23

Really need tank dimensions to determine amount of LEDs needed. Quantity doesn't equate to intensity; it equates to coverage. Degree of optics\lens to determine water height penetration.

 

[batt600]

72x18x23

Just like i thought

 

[batt600]

ok cool and do i need like a lens or can i just go without the lens.

lenses are listed above

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok im definitely going with 72 whites and 72 blues but what about a 100 degree angle. would it make that much of a difference because it would save me a couple hundred bucks if i go without lenses because the blues with now lenses are 100 degrees and the whites are 90 degrees.

If you are keeping SPS the you will need 72 whites and 72 blues . If not keeping SPS then 54 whites and 54 blues with 80deg optic that will give you light valve of 250 to 400 MH if going with the 72 white and 72 blues. If going with the 54 whites and 54 blues it will valve of a 175 to 250 MH

 

[batt600]

ok im definitely going with 72 whites and 72 blues but what about a 100 degree angle. would it make that much of a difference because it would save me a couple hundred bucks if i go without lenses because the blues with now lenses are 100 degrees and the whites are 90 degrees.

You would lose par 70deg optice give you the most par 80deg drops a bet

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

i can get both 80 or 60. what would you say is the best because 70 is in between but they don't have any i can also space the leds out in a 2 foot length with 12 leds going the long way so space 12 2 feet and 4 rows going 1 foot. i will do this 3 times to cover the 125 gallon.

You would lose par 70deg optice give you the most par 80deg drops a bet

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

also how much thermal glue would i need for all 144 leds

 

[batt600]

also how much thermal glue would i need for all 144 leds

You can us the the 80 deg its only a little drop in par not much and i would say 6 tubes of thermal glue would be good

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok and do i nee to use thermal glue or can i just place the bulb right on the aluminum plate and use like a hot glue gun on the sides of each bulb to keep it down. thanks for you help by the way.

You can us the the 80 deg its only a little drop in par not much and i would say 6 tubes of thermal glue would be good

 

[batt600]

ok and do i nee to use thermal glue or can i just place the bulb right on the aluminum plate and use like a hot glue gun on the sides of each bulb to keep it down. thanks for you help by the way.

Yes a must for leds

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

ok so i guess ill just get that then. you said 6 tubes but would you recommend any brand? i think im going to use arctic alumina but its 2 tubes that you just mix together when you glue them. there 2.5 grams in each tube so when you buy it, it makes a 5 gram mixture. 6 packs will be enough for 144 leds right?

Yes a must for leds

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

actually i think this will be even easier. what if i use thermal grease then make it stick with a hot glue gun?

You can us the the 80 deg its only a little drop in par not much and i would say 6 tubes of thermal glue would be good

 

[batt600]

the glue gun not going to work the led get just as hot as that glue gun so the glue will melt

 

[Anthony.Luciano710]

then what about just thermal grease instead of thermal glue because the only difference is that thermal glue is permanent but its also a lot more expensive.

the glue gun not going to work the led get just as hot as that glue gun so the glue will melt