LED Question

[redfishbluefish]

I've recently mentioned the Apollo LED issue I have and also putting two T5's back into my lighting system. While I wait for the slow boat from China for my new LED beads for the Apollo repair, the fixture taking it's place is an old TaoTronics LED. So I'm now back to two fixed current 55 LED fixtures (no adjustment), with two 54W ATI Blue Plus T5's. By the way, I have a 90 gallon five foot tank that measure 60 x 18 x 21, (L x W x H).


Now here's the thing.....I'm not happy. I've noticed the increased heat from the T5's where I now also run an additional fan while the T5's are running to cool the canopy. So I'm wondering......could I run three fixed current LED's instead of just the two Apollos. That is, once I fix the Apollos, could I get away with leaving the ToaTronics fixture in the mix for a total of three 120W LED fixtures? Or it that too much light? Realize I'd now be getting rid of the T5's. What do you think?

 

[Hockeynut]

Can uou buy a 12 volt dimmer and put it in line between the driver and the bulbs if you open the fixture its only a small 16 or 18 gauge wire between the driver and bulb I think that's how my old taotronics were set up.
I think if you run all 3 @ 100% you might have to much white light

 

[Zippy69]

This is my top over the 120. Blues max at 100% for 4hours and whites max at 60% for 4 hours. I realize it's not at 100 all day but it is 4 units....plus the 4 25 watt t5 bulbs that come on.

 

[redfishbluefish]

So Pete, are those 48 LED fixtures? and four fixtures....total of 192 LEDs?


I can control two channels on each unit independently.....and the Apollos are very blue....16 whites (a couple reds on one) and the remaining 36 blue. I just might try this and see what I get. As you said....it's not all ON all day. I'd only have the "white" channel on maybe 4 - 5 hours or so per day. I still have to wait to repair the Apollos...but again, it's easy enought to set up.

 

[Zippy69]

Yes they are something in the neighborhood of 48-52 LEDs per unit. They are the it2040 from reef breeders. Colors are 120 optics and all others are 90 degree optics.