Fluval 13.5 G.. What light?

[Theescotland]

so i just purchased the Fluval 13.5 G AIO. i am looking to upgrade the light so that i am not limited to what corals i can keep. i have been looking at the AI prime HD 16, but i am seeing mostly bad reviews especially on BRS. what do you guys recommend? i doubt ill be SPS dominate with this tank.. but i would like to keep some.

 

[Nano925]

The stock light isn’t bad but does limit you. Nicrew makes a ramp timer for the stock light if that’s something your interested in. I have tried many lights on mine but ended up going with the AI Prime HD16. You can’t beat the customization you have with this light. It’s well worth it and good for my setup. Keep researching but keep in mind if you upgrade the light you need a cover (if you have jumpers)and an ATO so there are some extra costs with upgrading. You don’t need them but makes everything much easier. Good luck!

 

[Nano925]

I know there are tons of pics online but here is my setup.

 

[Theescotland]

I know there are tons of pics online but here is my setup.

yeah, i may want to dabble in just a few SPS, i actually went with the Kessil A80 Tuna blue yesterday with the controller. after doing research for the rest of the day, i think i am going to return it and get the AI.

 

[Ta2oodfreak]

I'll be mounting a Radion XR15W pro on mine today.
I tried the Kessil A80 with the spectral controller. Looked amazing, just not enough for what I wanted. I was going to do a A160 from Kessil but came across a great deal on the Radion. I already have Radions on my 180G so it was a no brainer.

 

[olonmv]

The stock light isn’t bad but does limit you. Nicrew makes a ramp timer for the stock light if that’s something your interested in. I have tried many lights on mine but ended up going with the AI Prime HD16. You can’t beat the customization you have with this light. It’s well worth it and good for my setup. Keep researching but keep in mind if you upgrade the light you need a cover (if you have jumpers)and an ATO so there are some extra costs with upgrading. You don’t need them but makes everything much easier. Good luck!

I did the nicrew ramp up timer on my 13.5, it works great! The stock light on the evo does good. My corals were growing fine. I upgraded to ai prime 16hd primarily because of the color pop of corals. My Gsp looks like it’s grown rate has improved with the light. There are preset light schedules you can upload if you don’t want to dabble in the settings and a ton of options. Just be prepared to do a top off about 3 times a day or get a ATO. I made my own cover with mesh from Michaels and a window screen kit from Lowe’s.

 

[lazy josh]

I have a new tank and use the AI prime 16hd prime

you can use preset settings from their website under signature series which is nice just download them to the app and pick which ine you like great for a beginner

i also purchased the ai nero 3 which so far is great and quiet

 

[RobW]

I actually had 2 kessil a80's on mine

 

[Nano925]

yeah, i may want to dabble in just a few SPS, i actually went with the Kessil A80 Tuna blue yesterday with the controller. after doing research for the rest of the day, i think i am going to return it and get the AI.

I did the same thing. I wanted to hang it off the back and couldn’t get the reach and the color wasnt as brilliant as I imagined. You won’t be disappointed with the AI. Good luck!

 

[Nano925]

I did the nicrew ramp up timer on my 13.5, it works great! The stock light on the evo does good. My corals were growing fine. I upgraded to ai prime 16hd primarily because of the color pop of corals. My Gsp looks like it’s grown rate has improved with the light. There are preset light schedules you can upload if you don’t want to dabble in the settings and a ton of options. Just be prepared to do a top off about 3 times a day or get a ATO. I made my own cover with mesh from Michaels and a window screen kit from Lowe’s.

I would definitely look into an ATO and like the other user said you can built your own lid if need be. The light and fact there is no cover will cause evaporation. I use an AutoAQUA Smart ATO lite. It’s great and the pump is really small. This is how I have set it up!

 

[olonmv]

I would definitely look into an ATO and like the other user said you can built your own lid if need be. The light and fact there is no cover will cause evaporation. I use an AutoAQUA Smart ATO lite. It’s great and the pump is really small. This is how I have set it up!

I fill 3 times a day about a cups worth at 78 degree tank temp. I don’t mind it but I definitely need to look into getting an ATO and auto feeder for when I’m on vacation.

 

[RobW]

I did the same thing. I wanted to hang it off the back and couldn’t get the reach and the color wasnt as brilliant as I imagined. You won’t be disappointed with the AI. Good luck!

It needs 2

 

[Nano925]

I fill 3 times a day about a cups worth at 78 degree tank temp. I don’t mind it but I definitely need to look into getting an ATO and auto feeder for when I’m on

It needs 2

Kessil A80 tuna blue x2
2x129.99 (optional controller 99.99)=259.98+tax(359.97+tax w/controller) kessils are only 15 watts. (Stock light 16watts) and you need to buy 2 goosenecks to mount the lights 25-35$ a piece. 50-70+tax

AI Prime HD 16 X1
1x208.99=208.99 plus tax. AI mount 35-50$
+tax. AI prime 55 wats and Bluetooth with app to control light.

I’m a fan of Kessils but the AI prime is the best bang for your buck and less of a footprint than 2 A80 on this tank. 2 Kessils with no mount are just as much as an AI prime with mount with full controllability.

 

[Reef of Fillory]

My lighting evolved pretty quickly on my EVO.

Started with stock, then went to an AI prime, then added an AI prime HD (two primes). Then I added two T5 bulbs to the sides of the AI primes. Then I went to a 150w metal halide.

My wife and I both love the metal halide so much that on our new tank, we went with metal halide right from the start. We could have gone with a used radion for the amount we spent on the MH, but decided between us that we liked MH best.

I do miss the tinkering aspect of LEDs, but at the end of the day that's not necessary anyways.

 

[Nano925]

My lighting evolved pretty quickly on my EVO.

Started with stock, then went to an AI prime, then added an AI prime HD (two primes). Then I added two T5 bulbs to the sides of the AI primes. Then I went to a 150w metal halide.

My wife and I both love the metal halide so much that on our new tank, we went with metal halide right from the start. We could have gone with a used radion for the amount we spent on the MH, but decided between us that we liked MH best.

I do miss the tinkering aspect of LEDs, but at the end of the day that's not necessary anyways.

How is the heat and power consumption with the lights on the EVO. Can you post any pics of your setup? Sounds awesome!!!

 

[Reef of Fillory]

How is the heat and power consumption with the lights on the EVO. Can you post any pics of your setup? Sounds awesome!!!

I have a whole build thread that goes over a year or so of running the tank, the decisions/upgrades I made etc.

Nano Build - FL-FL-FL Fillory's Reef - SPS Evo 13

Update 02/04/2021 - this tank turned into a 25g IM lagoon very quickly... https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-25-lagoon-sps-dominant-fillorys-reef.800034/ UPDATE 01/28/2021 - This tank was shut down, and I moved to FL. A "copycat" is being set up now. I will take some time to document and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Nano925]

I have a whole build thread that goes over a year or so of running the tank, the decisions/upgrades I made etc.

Nano Build - FL-FL-FL Fillory's Reef - SPS Evo 13

Update 02/04/2021 - this tank turned into a 25g IM lagoon very quickly... https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-25-lagoon-sps-dominant-fillorys-reef.800034/ UPDATE 01/28/2021 - This tank was shut down, and I moved to FL. A "copycat" is being set up now. I will take some time to document and...

www.reef2reef.com

Could you take a look at my tank and tell me if you think I have enough flow for my aquascape. I’m only keeping ricordias/Yuma and a zoa garden with a RBTA. I have the sicce 0.5 (185GPH) with RFG. Seem to be ok but always welcome to suggestions. Awesome tank ver very cooool!

 

[TxReefer21]

so i just purchased the Fluval 13.5 G AIO. i am looking to upgrade the light so that i am not limited to what corals i can keep. i have been looking at the AI prime HD 16, but i am seeing mostly bad reviews especially on BRS. what do you guys recommend? i doubt ill be SPS dominate with this tank.. but i would like to keep some.

Nicrew 30watt is what I’m using

 

[TxReefer21]

Nicrew 30watt is what I’m using

Can add adjustable timer for ramp up they also have higher watt LED it’s not kessil but gets the job done my corals love it and thrive well especially when getting fed reef roids. My zoas started out tiny and I started with 2 heads and now have 5 within a 3 week span and feeding roids 2 times a week.

 

[nuttermcbutter]

Can add adjustable timer for ramp up they also have higher watt LED it’s not kessil but gets the job done my corals love it and thrive well especially when getting fed reef roids. My zoas started out tiny and I started with 2 heads and now have 5 within a 3 week span and feeding roids 2 times a week.

Happy corals, how is the evaporation with the Nicrew light?