Nano SPS lighting

AviL · Mar 21, 2023

I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. I have a RS Reefer Nano, SPS dominant. Currently running a kessil 160 at 100% all day and reefbrites. Was thinking radion15 or Mitras. Or should I just get the kessil 360?

bobnicaragua · Mar 21, 2023

AviL said:
I'm looking to upgrade my lighting. I have a RS Reefer Nano, SPS dominant. Currently running a kessil 160 at 100% all day and reefbrites. Was thinking radion15 or Mitras. Or should I just get the kessil 360?

I would add a second 160.

AviL · Mar 21, 2023

bobnicaragua said:
I would add a second 160.

Any reason over the kessil 360?

cpoynter · Mar 21, 2023

I agree with adding a second identical light. The idea is to eliminate shadowing. If possible, you could add AI Blades as an alternative.

bobnicaragua · Mar 21, 2023

AviL said:
Any reason over the kessil 360?

Better coverage and less expense are the only reasons. Any of the lights you listed are strong choices.

Personally, I run T5/LED hybrid on my SPS tank. I think that’s the best option for acropora.

AviL · Mar 21, 2023

cpoynter said:
You could augment with AI blades to eliminate shadowing.

I have the reefbrites in front and back. There's good coverage. Just power isn't enough I think. Everything super healthy and growing, just slowwwwly and I think can handle more if I'm running 100% all day.

AviL · Mar 21, 2023

bobnicaragua said:
Better coverage and less expense are the only reasons. Any of the lights you listed are strong choices.

Personally, I run T5/LED hybrid on my SPS tank. I think that’s the best option for acropora.

Thanks. Everything is healthy and growing. It's only a 18" cube, so not difficult to get coverage. But 100% for like 10 hours, I think they want more.

AviL · Mar 21, 2023

AviL said:
Thanks. Everything is healthy and growing. It's only a 18" cube, so not difficult to get coverage. But 100% for like 10 hours, I think they want more.

What do you think best way to acclimate if I get another 160?

Gedxin · Mar 21, 2023

Personal opinion, but trouble usually follows when transitioning to different lights. Algae, bleaching, etc...you're increasing chances of shock to your SPS. I'd stay similar and go with another kessil puck, measure PAR and match with an acclimation if you want to increase.

bobnicaragua · Mar 22, 2023

AviL said:
What do you think best way to acclimate if I get another 160?

Those Kessil 160 s aren’t that powerful, your corals shouldn’t have any issues acclimating.

I would set both between 50-60 percent and slowly bump them up over a week or 2.

AviL · Mar 22, 2023

Thanks! It looks like adding another 160 is the consensus, and I'm going to follow y'all advice! I really don't want to risk bleaching my acros - way too much money and work put into caring for them to risk!

X-37B · Mar 22, 2023

Not sure I woukd change a thing in that tank.

If I was you I would add another of the same and reduce wattage then ramp up to desired level.

My 20g 18" nano cube running 2 16hds. It needs no supplemental light!