Led fixture recommendations

mcarroll · Nov 24, 2016

Oh yeah, Razor and nanobox, etc, too...

If you want to do the Prime, I'd really do two of them.

But two or three Kessil 80's or even two 160's would be more interesting.

Do you like the shadows from spotlights such as the Kessils and Primes?

NakiFantaki · Nov 24, 2016

Thanks for the info!

NakiFantaki · Nov 24, 2016

How does everyone feel about 2 of the Kessil 80s??

reefwiser · Nov 24, 2016

Kessil 80's are good for tiny tanks 5 to 10 gallons.

mcarroll · Nov 24, 2016

Sounds right....they claim up to 24" diameter of coverage, which of course is wishful.

Using either two or three units, we're only asking it to light half or one third of that. Should be about OK.

Not my first choice out of the options so far, to be sure.

Eggyoke · Nov 24, 2016

I've owned the Prime and Hydra 26 HD. What you want is light coming from all angles to prevent shadowing. This is why T5s are so successful. Light coming from all angles. Any single point light isn't going to be great. All those led light fixtures work great in multiples. I currently have the Maxspect Ethereal on a 2 x 2. Works good and I like it better than a single prime and HD. I think the prime is a great light and cheap to upgrade by just getting more fixtures but don't think you can get away with just one fixture. I think having them surround your corals would be best. I kind of wish I bought a T5 fixture.

NakiFantaki · Nov 24, 2016

Great advice. Maybe I can swing a T5 fixture.. what can you recommend?

That maxxspect ethereal is a a "puck" sort of style LED as well right? But because there is a few different sources of light on the same fixture does it help with the shadowing?

gus6464 · Nov 25, 2016

NakiFantaki said:
Great advice. Maybe I can swing a T5 fixture.. what can you recommend?

That maxxspect ethereal is a a "puck" sort of style LED as well right? But because there is a few different sources of light on the same fixture does it help with the shadowing?

Immensely. The ethereal is better than all your other choices by a mile.

esolo16 · Nov 25, 2016

I have a Nuvo 20 and used to run two AI Primes (sps heavy tank). I think one could work for a softie/LPS tank, but will have some shading issues and struggle with full coverage. However, it does look to meet all of your other requirements.

With that being said, I have only heard amazing things about Nanobox and think a Duo would be great in your situation too (although I have never personally owned one). I do not have any experience or read any reviews on the Ethereal so cannot offer too much other than the specs sound pretty good as well. Kessils are great lights and many people have a lot of success with them, but you will have similar shading/coverage issues as the AI Prime if you are only running one.

NakiFantaki · Nov 25, 2016

esolo16 said:
I have a Nuvo 20 and used to run two AI Primes (sps heavy tank). I think one could work for a softie/LPS tank, but will have some shading issues and struggle with full coverage. However, it does look to meet all of your other requirements.

With that being said, I have only heard amazing things about Nanobox and think a Duo would be great in your situation too (although I have never personally owned one). I do not have any experience or read any reviews on the Ethereal so cannot offer too much other than the specs sound pretty good as well. Kessils are great lights and many people have a lot of success with them, but you will have similar shading/coverage issues as the AI Prime if you are only running one.

Thanks for the input. What lights are you running now on your Nuvo 20? You said you used to use 2 of the Primes... do you want to sell them? Haha.
My tank is still cycling so I have a little time. Earlier I was thinking to just go ahead and get one of the prime HDs.. and start there with LPS and softies and then get a 2nd prime when I was ready for SPS. But then I crunched the math... 2 Primes will be 450 not including mounts.. and for that price I can get a maxxspect or even a nano box and then not need to upgrade in the future...

Ahhhhhh... the choices!

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has given me! It has been so helpful!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

esolo16 · Nov 25, 2016

Sorry, I sold them already lol. I am now running an ATI Dimmable Sunpower. The good news and bad news about LEDs is you have unlimited settings. That is great news if you want full control, bad news if you are a constant tinkerer like me. I kept on changing the settings and could never find anything I was happy with.

I do not know if anyone has mentioned it, but I think the Maxspect R420R might be something you are interested in (but, I have never had one). I do like the idea of getting one light and upgrading later down the road if you are not happy. Since you are not in a rush, I would keep an eye on the selling forum here for anything used for sale. I sold my AI primes on here with the mounts for around $150 each, but I was in a rush to sell them to pay for the ATI. I think I saw some used Radion XR30 Gen 3 for sale recently for $400 and everything I have read says they are the best money can buy (yet again, I have never had one).