New AI Nano

[mr86mister]

Well I've been going back and forth for a few months now on what I want to do with my JBJ 6 Gallon. I was thinking of doing a controllable DIY LED setup but I got lazy and wanted to just jump in with the AquaIllumination Nano. This thing is tiny and amazing! Now before people asked why I picked the Nano, the main reason is because this is the only fully controllable LED light that will fit nicely and compactly over my tiny tank. So here are a few pictures, I just did this today so the numbers and more info on the fixture will come at a later date.

Box was nice as well as the controller.

Mounting arm is on the left, something I might use but I am running into issues because the mount is too small being I have thick plastic in the back of the system. I can't believe how tiny this light is!

Each set has 1-Cool White(Cree XM-L), 2-Blue(Cree XP-E) 2-Royal Blue(Cree XP-E)

I will not be using the touch controls because I have the controller that does all the work for me.

Project time!

Before cut. I'm no professional but the end product is close enough to what I want...lol.

Nano on cut top. Lights are maxing out at 15%.

Can't wait to see how this bad boy looks once everything settles in and I get my ricordea garden going!

:beer:

 

[windyridge]

Nice!

 

[Christine_B]

Makes me want to do a nano, very nice!

 

[Jstn]

I dig that unit any better fts ?

 

[solRNY]

thats purrrrdy! nice job on the diy

 

[Capt_Cully]

That's sweet Mike! Careful with the acclimation dude!

 

[mr86mister]

Thanks guys. I will get a full tank shot in soon for sure. Yeah Cully. Acclimation is going to be a pain. I probably won't ever even push the lights over 40%.

 

[pascal32]

looks very nice! I'm no LED guy, but that looks really close to the livestock!

 

[bdamon]

looks very nice! I'm no LED guy, but that looks really close to the livestock!

Ditto, A bunch of my corals did not like me putting a new led setup directly on the glass top on my 10 gal tank. If it were me I would raise it up a few inches of the glass at first.

Very nice setup!

Ben

 

[Jacwil]

It does seem close but if he starts at a low intensity it should be ok. If it was a par 38 i'd worry, but with the controlability these have he ought to be golden.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Mike, what are your color percentage settings? How about your ramp phase? Can you do storms?

 

[davidpesce]

Be careful with LEDs and ricordia. They like to be sweet talked, taken out to dinner, and lightly kissed before taking the plunge.

In other words, put them in the shade for a day or two, then on the bottom in indirect light for 2 days, etc etc.

 

[mr86mister]

Marky Mark. I can do all that an AI Sol can do. I just set it up today so everything is currently in "Test Mode". My timers are as is:

T1-10am BL/RY ramp to 15% for 60 mins
T2-2pm Wh ramps to 10% for 120 mins
T3-6pm White ramps down to 0% for 120 mins
T4-8pm BL ramps down to 0% for 60 mins
T5-9pm RY ramps down to 1% for 60 mins
T6-10pm-10am Lunar Cycle RB @1%-3%

I do plan on putting it on an arm so if gives more of a complete look. That will give me the perfect amount of even spread over the tank as well.

Every system is different so I'm seeing how the majority of my corals are reacting. Zoanthids, Ricordea, and softies. A simple system with advanced lighting.

 

[mr86mister]

Good call David! I've done a ton of research and I'm happy to see people are at least sharing their experiences with LED's and softer corals. It is making my job so much easier and I plan on passing any info to others as well.

 

[mr86mister]

I managed to barely squeeze the arm on the tank. It looks sooo much better!!

You can barely tell but the lunar cycle is going.

 

[aaronlp]

sweet glad to see you got it in finally lol tank looks great!

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

XM-Ls are insane. Of course it depends on bin selection, optics, and other design choices, but to give you a sense of perspective, on my 360g, I'm using 16 XM-Ls to provide ALL of the white light. And I've yet to run them at full blast. With two of them on a tank that size I would be surprised if you ever went above 10%.

 

[mr86mister]

Hey Nate! I did some intense reading on the XM-L and just looking at the lighting they won't go above 10%. It may seem pointless with such a small tank but the best part is that I can upgrade to larger cubes in the future and keep this light and STILL grow whatever I want.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Pretty nice Mike.Even though that light looks so small Im getting a good feel for how powerful it is.

Looking for the updates on this one!

-Steve

 

[mr86mister]

My first ever saltwater shipment will be here tomorrow morning. A dozen Florida Ricordeas hang picked by the guys at CoralMorphologic. Great response to my emails and they did exactly what I asked them to do too!! I'm pumped about getting in the shipment tomorrow and will be taking pictures as soon as they settle in!