Kessil a80 vs Nanobox Mini

[Preme]

Hey everyone,

So I’m in the works of setting up a 7 gallon reef. So far my stocking plans are a few euphillya, a few acans, a scoly, and possibly a few sps.
The issue I’m having is deciding what lightning to get for the tank, as of now I’ve got it down to the Kessil a80, or the Nanobox Mini.
I would like to stay a little more on budget so that’s why I’m leaning towards the a80 but I feel like it will not be enough light?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Most if the nano lights do well with smaller tank which may do better than the A80.
The A160 with dimmer would be perfect and offer shimmer as well as connectivity to kessil controller should you wish full control.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I have a nanobox and like it however good luck getting any assistance if you need it, I have been trying to get Dave to answer my email for a month and when I asked about contacting him on the forum he hangs out on I was met with multiple rude and snide comments from other members.

 

[hart24601]

I have a nanobox and like it however good luck getting any assistance if you need it, I have been trying to get Dave to answer my email for a month and when I asked about contacting him on the forum he hangs out on I was met with multiple rude and snide comments from other members.

Oh that is too bad. A few ppl on the nano-reef site can get carried away.

 

[Preme]

I have a nanobox and like it however good luck getting any assistance if you need it, I have been trying to get Dave to answer my email for a month and when I asked about contacting him on the forum he hangs out on I was met with multiple rude and snide comments from other members.

That’s the first time I’ve ever heard something bad about them. Im Really debating getting the mini but I’m not sure yet...

 

[Preme]

Most if the nano lights do well with smaller tank which may do better than the A80.
The A160 with dimmer would be perfect and offer shimmer as well as connectivity to kessil controller should you wish full control.

I was actually considering the A160, I’m just not sure I wanna because I’d have to get a controller and everything for it to be the way id want...

 

[Daniel91]

The A80 will be more than fine for most softies, Lps and even beginner SPS. While compatible, you do not need a controller to have a successful reef. There’s a ton of reefers with similar setup that run the A80 on a normal digital timer and has great results.

Also, if you do not want to go the nanobox route, look into the AI Prime HD - amazing light and controllable from your phone.

 

[ReefInskeep]

For the tank you described, a 7 gallon mixed reef with some SPS, an A80 should be more than adequate. (Unless the tank has really weird dimensions and it’s shaped like a stick of butter or something...) Even a solid PAR38 bulb like the one from SB Reef Lights would probably be good.

If you want a light that can be used on larger setups one day but is still suitable for this application, I’d suggest the AI Prime HD, the Kessil A160, or the SB Reef Lights Sprite (it’s not on their website anymore, so I don’t know if it’s currently available). The AI is $199 and I love mine on my 10 gallon IM Nuvo

 

[Preme]

For the tank you described, a 7 gallon mixed reef, an A80 should be more than adequate. (Unless it’s got really weird dimensions and it’s shaped like a stick of butter or something...)

Nope it’s shapped like a cube! Is there anyway you can hang the a80 from a ceiling instead of the gooseneck? Because I like the hanging look better

 

[Preme]

The A80 will be more than fine for most softies, Lps and even beginner SPS. While compatible, you do not need a controller to have a successful reef. There’s a ton of reefers with similar setup that run the A80 on a normal digital timer and has great results.

Also, if you do not want to go the nanobox route, look into the AI Prime HD - amazing light and controllable from your phone.

I was considering the AI at one point, may still be an option. I really just like the looks of the a80

 

[Daniel91]

I rock both, A80 is my fav - great shimmer and simple.

 

[ReefInskeep]

Yes, you can hang the A80.

Nope it’s shapped like a cube! Is there anyway you can hang the a80 from a ceiling instead of the gooseneck? Because I like the hanging look better

There isn’t a standard hanging option for the A80, but it does come with a bracket (for mounting it onto a canopy or above a sump) that you may be able to DIY & finagle into hanging. lol That being said, the mini gooseneck would probably be best & I think it looks great, personally.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The A80 will be more than fine for most softies, Lps and even beginner SPS. While compatible, you do not need a controller to have a successful reef. There’s a ton of reefers with similar setup that run the A80 on a normal digital timer and has great results.

Also, if you do not want to go the nanobox route, look into the AI Prime HD - amazing light and controllable from your phone.

And funny, is I have two Primes and forgot to mention them. I was so focused on kessil for a small tank with the shimmer. Love my primes !!!

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I have 2x Kessil a80 on my IM20 Peninsula and it works great. I had a single a80 on an IM10 and it was great. Grew everything from SPS to Anemones to softies. I loved the Kessil look so much that I switched from AI Prime HD to a Kessil a360we on my IM40. Point being: I'd 100% go with the Kessil. I'd also recommend hunting around for a deal on the Kessil controller. You'll be fine with your lights being switched on and off with a timer (I ran the a80 without a controller for a year), but it's much smoother to be able to ramp the lighting up and down with the controller.

 

[PDR]

FWIW I sold my pair of Nanobox duo's and replaced them with Kessil 160's. So far I am much happier with the kessils.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As stated earlier, I recommend Kessil for Shimmer, soft blues and their top notch support and reputation.

I own Kessils (AP700), radions, SB Reef, Ai Prime and Ai Hydra, 14 bulb T5 and ReefBrites. The Kessils win- no doubt

 

[Preme]

As stated earlier, I recommend Kessil for Shimmer, soft blues and their top notch support and reputation.

I own Kessils (AP700), radions, SB Reef, Ai Prime and Ai Hydra, 14 bulb T5 and ReefBrites. The Kessils win- no doubt

So I’m going with the Kessil a80 for sure! Do I buy the a80 blue or the other one?

 

[PDR]

You want the tuna blue

 

[Ranjib]

Mini will be better than A80 in terms of power, and will matter if you are growing SPS. I am not using nanobox, but had very good interaction with Dave, he has been helpful and answering various control related questions. Generally the nanobox thread in nano-reef is well supported, its unfortunate that there are folks who had difficult times. I do agree that folks in general NR are bit different, and not always family friendly

 

[Ranjib]

So I’m going with the Kessil a80 for sure! Do I buy the a80 blue or the other one?

Always tuna blue, the other ones are for fresh water or for plants