NanoCustoms PAR38 LED

[LEROY]

Hey I was just wondering if anyone here is rocking this light? Seems cool enough and I've been told by it's creator that I would be able to even keep some Birdsnest with it in my 5 gallon pico. So I figure when I get some funds together I'm going to give it a shot, consumes 21 watts to keep some SPS not too bad at all.

[JetJumper]

From the looks of it, its using CREE LED's.  Shouldn't have a problem at all.  I am maybe planning a build of 24 CREE LEDS for my 22x26x34 Tank.

[mikerobart]

I've read a bunch about them they look awesome. As long as you've got the right optics you can grow anything with those LEDs. I think it's 5 xpg's in each bulb ? You could probably diy for a bit cheaper but it's a slick looking unit and of course you can use any desk lamp / light fixture with the standard threads it uses.

[LEROY]

it's a slick looking unit and of course you can use any desk lamp / light fixture with the standard threads it uses.

I know that's what the bonus is, I can even make the fixture i.f I wanted to. Going to get one soon and if it's for my 5 gallon I think the 80 degree optics should be fine as I won't be keeping any SPS right off the bat.

[Brent Shaver]

Although these are LED, keep in mind they throw off alot of heat and need to be ventalated.

This is right from the page on Canada LEDs concerning this unit.
You must also note that the LED PAR 38 must not be kept in an enclosed space. Proper ventilation is a must for proper function.

[Vincenzo.]

40¤ optics i say is better.

[LEROY]

40¤ optics i say is better.

Do you think that would provide adequate coverage? 40^o optics with 20k leds?

[mikerobart]

You can use highschool trig to figure out more or less the size of the coverage circle. What type of mounting height were you thinking ? For example with 40 degree optics and a height of 2 feet you've got about 17.5 " diameter circle. I'm sure intensity drops off towards the edges as well.

[LEROY]

Well then, I guess I'll have to break out the math books, I'm an English lit major lol. I'll get to thinking about height adjustments once I actually order it, for now things are just preliminary. Thanks for the insight though. 

[Severum]

Pythagorus in da house! Nerds unite!

[mikerobart]

Pythagorus in da house! Nerds unite!

Leroy. Basically you will be using trig for right angle triangles way way easy. You will just need to use the tangent ratio. If you're just looking to play around with heights and angles, you could use this:

height = radius / tan(0.5 * optic angle)

So, choose what radius you would like to have the circle of light cover, choose an optic angle, and it will give you the height you need.

Example: you want a 12" diameter circle of light and will use 40 deg optics, so radius = 6", angle = 40 deg

height = 6 / ( tan (0.5 * 40 ) ) = 6 / (tan 20) = 6 / 0.3640 = 16.5 "

Alternatively, you can use a rearrangement of that same equation to solve for the radius you will get with a given height and optic:

radius = height * tan (0.5 * optic angle)

Remember that gives you the radius not the diameter of the light circle.

And... this all assumes that the optic does indeed produce a circle.

[Severum]

Oops, Pythagorus is algebra not trig (sorta). Epic Fail!

[mikerobart]

Oops, Pythagorus is algebra not trig (sorta). Epic Fail!

Well the Pythagorean theorem relates the lengths of the three sides of a right angle triangle so not so much of a fail really.

[salvini55]

SOH CAH TOA

[mikerobart]

Kev has got it

[salvini55]

I cant bielive I remembered that! the system works after all!