FAQ

29 Comments

1. Awesome looking fixture!

2. Pingback: Great DIY LED mounting option

3. Will there ever be fixtures that are wider? I would like to add T5 into the mix. I want to purchase two 24″ or one 48″ fixture but I want to mount the T5’s on the inside along the led’s. Regardless, I’m super excited to see someone make this type of heat sink. Maybe if there is no future for a wider fixture, Ill have to mount the T5’s on the opposite sides..

   • Hi Oleg,

     We are always exploring other fixture shapes but it is unlikely we will ever go much wider due to limitations of the extrusions process.

     You may be able to use rods or bars to attach your T5’s to the side, along with this concept:

     http://makersled.com/images/forums/pendant.jpg

     • Thanks for the info! I kinda assumed that much. I can understand the limitations of extrusion. I may get two and cut off the sides and combine them side by side. I’m gonna try to find your sketchup model and work with that for now.

4. Howdy,

   I have a standard 55 gallon (48″(L)x13″?(D)x21″?(H)) and i was wondering if 2 18″ heat sink kits would be enough? My only concern is that the heatsinks are only about 6.5″ wide, would height placement and optics on the LED’s be the solution for my concern?

   Thanks and awesome product!

   • Hi Pat,
     2 18inchers should work out nicely. If you have limited vertical height (ie, less than 1 ft) then go with no optics on your LEDs for more light spread. thanks and good luck!

5. Hello,
   I have a Reef tank which dimensions are 96″ x 34″ x 28″, I’m really interested on your fixture but I’m not really sure the 72″ will cut it.

   Right now I have six Aquaillumination modules, these are placed parallel to the depth of the tank instead of the width, with these I’m almost gaining some light front to back.

   My target is a full blown SPS Reef tank, I already have some colonies doing well under these lights but these are placed at strategic points where I know the light will work, once I fill in these spots I know I will be short on light.

   If I decide to get the 72″ fixture, would it suffice just one or would I need to place two front to back?, the fixture would be placed 18″ over water surface.

   Thank you and sorry for the long post.

   • Hi Juan,

     I think you should do 2 parallel fixtures running the length of the tank to be safe. Currently I have two 4ft parallel fixtures over my 24″ width tank and they are only 10″ off the surface – The light spread and fill is excellent.

     Previously, I had 4 18″ fixtures (perpendicular to the length of the 4ft tank) and even then I had some serious dead spots. Now with my 4ft MakersLED units I have complete light fill. Even though your tank is wider, I think the raised 18″ over the water surface will take care of the spread.

     We can offer non-standard lengths – if you want 7-8 foot long fixtures let me know. Send me your shipping information and I can quote you – andy@makersled.com

     My 2x4ft build: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.254887631278131.42691.149680928465469&type=1

   • We have had a some recent feedback from people using using one fixture down the length of their 24 inch tanks successfully. They used 40 and 60 degree optics with about 14 inches off the water surface.

     • This is 24″ deep? Like a 120G 48″Wx24″Hx24″D.

       • Yes, the narrower optics work well for a 24″ tank depth (<60degree lenses)

6. I have a 84″ x 24″ x 24″ mixed reef tank with mostly SPS. In the future I would like to upgrade to a 72″ x 24″ x 36″(wide) tank. What would you recommend for configuration of lights and number of LED’s. I would like to be able to add to the lights when I make my upgrade in tanks. I dont know where to start. One long system or multiple 12″ or 18″ lights.

   Randy

   • Hi Randy,

     Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

     If you are going to be upgrading, I would lean towards multiple 18″ fixtures. It is more difficult to add and reconfigure LEDs on the longer fixtures and running the 18″ fixtures perpendicular to the length of your tank will also provide good light spread without having to put the fixture too high above the water’s surface. (However, one long fixtures would be easier in terms of hanging and mounting.)

     If you have any LED related questions, you might want to check with the people at LEDGroupbuy.com. They are reef lighting experts, and they may be able to give you some more ideas.

7. Hello , how many square inch of alu are on a 12″ length fixture? I mean, including the back fin and side wall, this is to make my calculations to figure the rigth length to I need.
   By the way nice product, I like it !!
   Regards from MX

   • Hi Gabriel,

     For fixtures bought at LEDGroupBuy.com – a 12″ fixture is exactly 12″ WITH the endcaps installed.

     For the general width/height dimensions, see: http://www.ledgroupbuy.com/product_images/e/580/nano_reef_makersled_dimensions__43878_zoom.png

     For Sketchup 3d Models, see: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=makersled&styp=m&scoring=t&btnG=Search&reps=1

     For square surface area (heatsinking) see: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=304322

8. Thank you for the reply, was very useful.

   Regards.
   Gabriel

9. I understand you are making a programmable controller with drivers that can be intergrated with the MakersLED housing.

   How long before this is ready for release?

   I been waiting and need to move on with my project and would love to use this
   with the MakersLED .

   Any date when this controller/driver will be released ?

   Thanks

   • in 2 months 🙂

     • WOW that’s great but olease hurry up because now I have to wait 🙂

       Throw some dimmable features in for multiple bands .

       And please make it all solderless for us who really don’t want to solder.

       People who don’t want to solder end up buying an already made panel .

       Thanks so much !

10. Hi

    Can you tell me if this solderless LED will work with the MakersLED heatsink ?

    There no size measurement mention so I don’t know if it will work.

    If you want to delete link it’s OK with me I understand but please tell me yes or no..Thanks !

    http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-cree-xp-e-blue-led/

    • Hi Rainer,
      Yes, that solderless LED will work too! I have personally tried these

      • Oh yeah ..thanks a million..you rock !

11. Would you recommend the MakersLED kit in a hydroponic horticultural application? I am building a plant growth chamber that will operated at approximately 85% relative humidity. Temps will range from 30° – 85° F. Thank you.

    • Hi Phillip,

      The heatsink will work very well for horticulture applications.
      As for or most electronics, as long as you can keep below 90% RH (non-condensing) you should be safe.

      As you may know, a 3:1 ratio of blue:red LEDs is pretty typical for horticulture applications.

      If you have any more questions do let us know.

12. Hey,

    Do you know if the BJB solderless connectors work with the slots in the heat sink? They match the CREE leds so I don’t believe so but wanted to verify.

    Thanks,

    • yes, they do work! check out http://makersled.com/?p=519

      • Yeah, I saw that post after I asked the question.

        Thanks!

13. I have 36 x 24 x 24 (LWH).

    With the width if the heatsink, should I buy one 36″, two 36″, or something different?