Nano lighting options

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Cloudburst2000

Active member
I am in the market for nano lighting options for my 16g IM Nuvo in white. I currently have the stock lights over the tank though I did add a third to the two that were included. These are doing fine keeping LPS and softies. Never tried SPS but would assume that they would struggle with this lighting. A large reason for wanting to update the lighting is that there are two power cords per light so six power cords in all. I'd ideally like one light over this set-up. I would also like something that could support a clam or SPS should I decide to put some in the tank. If the light is white to match the tank, that would be a plus but not a necessity. The tank is 24"L and the display area (not including back filtration chambers) is about 9"W.

At the moment, I am looking for nano lighting solutions as these should be priced better than LEDs designed for larger tanks. I have already ruled out the AI nano as it is more designed for a cube and unless I hung it higher, then I would not get good coverage side to side. I want to avoid hanging the lights if possible. What does everyone think about the new Maxspect Nano Razor LEDs? They look pretty nice and I really like the mounting option that allows you to raise/lower and extend the light so it fits your tank best. I also like that the Razors have the super actinic LEDs. I really think this helps with color in the tank (makes them pop more). This is the fixture I am leaning towards at the moment. Too bad it isn't offered in white *sigh* It's also the only nano fixture I know of that uses LEDs besides just blue and white. Those actinic LEDs are a huge selling point for me. And under $300 is a good bonus too. Anyone got any other suggestions?
 
Have you thought about going with Innovative Marine's better system?

http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovati...-Innovative_Marine-0I10259-FILTFILDTN-vi.html

I too am looking into getting upgraded lighting for my Nuvo 16, and I've been leaning towards the IM 30W or 92W system.

If you were to get the Maxspect Nano Razor LEDs, would you get the 16000K color?

I see that MarineDepot sells a Nuvo 16 kit with the large ($420) Maxspect system on it:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovati...Innovative_Marine-0I104123-FIAQNCCKTL-vi.html

I wonder with the <$300 system only having LED's in the center, if it'll actually span across the entire 24" viewing area, or if you'll have to raise it higher to get the full length of the tank, but lose out on precious light as it'll be further away.

The more I look at the 20.5" Maxspect, the more I love it ... but I don't know if I can fathom dropping over $400 on it.
 
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I am a fan of the Kessil A150w lights. With this light you either love it or hate it. I have seen them used a lot in my LFS and loved the way it looked. I just bought one to go on the 10 gallon nano I am building. They can either be hung or they make a goose neck that clips on the back of the tank. I paid 230$ for the light and goose neck off Ebay.

http://www.kessil.com/aquarium/A150.php
 
Maxspect Nano Razor looks cool to me (all the maxspect fixtures do), but would you not have the same spread issue with it on a 24" wide tank? Looks like it's max height is 9" with the stock mount. Seems just as cube-oriented as the AI Nano.
 
I actually ended up ordering a Nano Box Duo. David is building the unit in white for me...YAY! He is making a mounting arm to attach to the wall behind the tank. This light is more full spectrum than most nano lights. It will have warm white, neutral white, cyan, blue, royal blue, and violet LEDs. And it will be capable of supporting anything I want to put in the tank. I should get the light sometime next week.
 
Gibbnal said:
Maxspect Nano Razor looks cool to me (all the maxspect fixtures do), but would you not have the same spread issue with it on a 24" wide tank? Looks like it's max height is 9" with the stock mount. Seems just as cube-oriented as the AI Nano.
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They sell one with 2 sets of LED's .. but it's $400
 
Hi, I have a biocube 29 and I recently just upgraded to LED's. I really strongly recommend LED's. The fluorescent lights can go out over time but not actually go out and start to release phosphates into your tank which promotes algae growth. With LED's, if you get a dimmable version ( which I think should be required so you don't bleach your corals) you can dim them to have a stronger blue to white % and you never need to replace them eve unless they burn out or bust but they don't really burn out unless there is faulty wiring. Just my opinion
 
The fluorescent lights can go out over time but not actually go out and start to release phosphates into your tank which promotes algae growth.
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Dude, you got some facts crossed along the way, or someone told you the wrong thing. You're on the right track...sort of.

The fluorescent lights can go out over time but not actually go out
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yes, they do dim and shift spectrum as they age. PC bulbs need to be replaced about ever 6 mos, +/- a few mos.

go out and start to release phosphates into your tank which promotes algae growth
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This is where you're wrong, but then right again.
Lights do not release phosphates into the water, but phosphates in the water do encourage algal growth. The spectral shift, towards the red end, we see in lighting is what encourages algal growth. Plants grow better under more yellowish light than we provide our corals. Old bulbs + phosphate presence in the water = bad algal growth. This is due to the lights' output encouraging growth, not releasing chemicals into the water.

you never need to replace them eve unless they burn out or bust but they don't really burn out unless there is faulty wiring.
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all lighting will eventually need to be replaced. Equipment has a finite lifespan and LEDs will become less efficient and may shift in spectrum as well. Their life is MUCH longer than 'traditional' lighting, however. It is probably true that one will never need to replace them because they change tanks, fixtures or hobbies before reaching their limit.

Hi, I have a biocube 29 and I recently just upgraded to LED's. I really strongly recommend LED's.
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I agree here too. I switched recently on my 14g BC and it was a great mod. I still prefer a nice MH set up, but that's just not practical on little tanks.

BTW, I'm not being harsh or mean, just correcting a few misconceptions. I'm sure the experts could refine my info too.
 
Gibbnal said:
Sounds perfect. I did not realize there was a duo. What's that thing cost?
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It cost $400. I was willing to pay a bit more to get a white light to match my white Nuvo tank and for the more full spectrum lighting. I like that the light has warm and neutral white LEDs instead of cool whites (which I think tend to wash out coral colors). I like the inclusion of the cyans and violets along with the blues and royal blues. Better color spectrum tends to mean prettier coral colors. Also, David, the guy who builds the lights, has superb customer service. He builds the light when you order it and he talks with you to make sure that you are getting a light that will work for your needs and with your tank's dimensions.
 
Gibbnal, about your AI lights...to each his/her own. Glad you like you light. I, however, am not a fan of the AI lights. A friend has a couple Sols and I don't care for the colors in his tank...washed out looking, IMO. I also don't care for the aesthetics of the light itself. A rather unattractive light in my eyes. So AIs were never in the running for me. I also wanted a more full spectrum light than the AI Nano offers.
 
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Cloudburst2000 said:
Also, David, the guy who builds the lights, has superb customer service. He builds the light when you order it and he talks with you to make sure that you are getting a light that will work for your needs and with your tank's dimensions.
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That is a rare thing indeed.

I am thinking that you have found the superior choice in nano leds. Still prefer cable suspended fixtures to tank mounted in most cases, but I am generally thinking of the bulky types which mount on legs which I know this will not be. When does it arrive?
 
Gibbnal said:
That is a rare thing indeed.

I am thinking that you have found the superior choice in nano leds. Still prefer cable suspended fixtures to tank mounted in most cases, but I am generally thinking of the bulky types which mount on legs which I know this will not be. When does it arrive?
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Actually, the light will be a suspended fixture. However, my ceilings are too high to suspend a fixture from them so David offered to build me an arm to attach to the wall behind the tank that I can hang the light from. He is also pre-setting the light to a proper initial 'light balance' based on the lighting I already have so that I won't accidentally stress or bleach my corals during the lighting change. I can then increase the lighting strength as the corals become acclimated. David sent me a spoiler picture today of the light and mounting arm. Very pretty fixture. Reminds me of the Pac Sun lights which I have always thought were attractive. David should be shipping the fixture in the next couple days. I believe he was going to do some testing on it first to make sure that everything is working properly before shipping it out.
 
Hopefully, I will be able to make a little cash back by sellinh my three IM Skkye lights. I have the two that came stock with the tank plus a third that I added once the cycle was complete. I may keep one though. I bet one would make a good fuge light in my larger build or possibly as a lighting source for my coral quarantine tank.
 
Have you thought about the reefbreeders LED light? They have a 16 x 8.5 controllable fixture. http://reefbreeders.com/it2040.html

There is a picture of it over your tank in post 8 here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270137
IMO that hanging kit that is used there looks bad and the light needs to be higher above the tank to avoid the shadowing on the edges.

I plan on ordering that one soon for my IM 16. The stock lights just aren't working for me.
 
ThreeMoneyJ said:
Have you thought about the reefbreeders LED light? They have a 16 x 8.5 controllable fixture. http://reefbreeders.com/it2040.html

There is a picture of it over your tank in post 8 here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270137
IMO that hanging kit that is used there looks bad and the light needs to be higher above the tank to avoid the shadowing on the edges.

I plan on ordering that one soon for my IM 16. The stock lights just aren't working for me.
Click to expand...

I actually ended up going with the Nano Box Duo. David who builds the lights when you order is making it for me in white to match my tank. He sent some spoiler pictures and the fixture looks sweet. I should receive it next week.
 
ThreeMoneyJ said:
Have you thought about the reefbreeders LED light? They have a 16 x 8.5 controllable fixture. http://reefbreeders.com/it2040.html

There is a picture of it over your tank in post 8 here http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2270137
IMO that hanging kit that is used there looks bad and the light needs to be higher above the tank to avoid the shadowing on the edges.
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I think that there are more suitable options out there. That's a lot of bulk to hang over such a sleek litte tank, even without the hanging kit.
 
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