Need help choosing an LED fixture for my cube!!!

[pmvalenti]

I have a 40 gal cube that is mainly a zoa lps tank. although i want it to support SPS also. i dont want to build my own fixture, i want a plug and play setup. i definitely want the shimmer affect, so the fixture has to do that. ive heard that some dont.

ive looked up a few fixtures and im still unsure on what to pick. i have a $300 dollar budget.

heres one that ive checked out
High Power WHITE + BLUE LED Aquarium Reef corals grow light. 2512W+B | LEDwholesalers.com inc

heres another
NEW - 2011 REEF Edition, 120W LED light fixture. 4color | eBay

any help would be awesome!! :bigsmile:

 

[chestnud]

I don't know much about those two, but I did just pick up a kessil from Aquarium Specialty (one of the sponsors). It definitely has a ton of shimmer effect and is 150w. heres a link to their post and a pic of the light over a 36" long tank. I moved the fixture over to a 34g Solana today and it is awesome. It is also below $300.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/aquarium-specialty/68338-kessil-a150w-10k-pendants-stock-now.html

 

[pmvalenti]

i saw you post about them in another thread and checked them out. i was just nervous about something that small working. and what about actinic supplement?

 

[chestnud]

Its a bright light. I was surprised. I have AI's on my larger tank and almost bought a AI Nano Sol but went this route out of curiosity. It doesn't have actinic supplement. It is a mix of blue LED and white LED. I will say it looks closer to a 12-14k look rather than a 10k. The 15k looks more like 18-20k. If you want complete control, I would look into the AI nano sol. You can control each set of LEDs (blue, royal blue, white) to get the color you want. The nanos also come with an arm to mount to your tank.

 

[pmvalenti]

would the nano work on my cube? 2x2x2 foot print

 

[iani]

I don't know much about those two, but I did just pick up a kessil from Aquarium Specialty (one of the sponsors). It definitely has a ton of shimmer effect and is 150w. heres a link to their post and a pic of the light over a 36" long tank. I moved the fixture over to a 34g Solana today and it is awesome. It is also below $300.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/aquarium-specialty/68338-kessil-a150w-10k-pendants-stock-now.html

The kessil is actually 30 watts but is supposed to be equivalent to 150 watts of metal halides. That is the reason they have them labeled as they do.

 

[chestnud]

The kessil is actually 30 watts but is supposed to be equivalent to 150 watts of metal halides. That is the reason they have them labeled as they do.

Good to know on the Kessil. The Nano would work if you hang it to allow the light to spread. The tank bracket that comes with it keeps it maybe 6-8" off the water, but Im not positive. It would probably would need to be 12" over tank.

 

[pmvalenti]

i dont think i want it to be a foot off the water :\ thats why i was leaning towards a fixture and not a single led. im itching to buy cause my halide fixture needs a new bulb so id rather spend it on an led

 

[chestnud]

What about a DIY from Reefledlights.com. They have new products coming out that look really good, plus can't beat the price

 

[iani]

I would go with either 2 kessils, an aquaillumination, or the new ecotech marine light.

 

[pmvalenti]

the kessils seem to have to be hung a foot over the tank, and 2 of them are gonna put me over my budget by a few hundred. the new ecotech is awesome, but not $750 awesome ill look at the AI! and i really dont want to do a DIY fixture, not good with electronics

 

[chestnud]

The Kessil is 8" over my 34g Solana (20"x20" and covers plenty). The AI Nano would need to be 8"-12" above the water IMO but may work at a lower height.

 

[chestnud]

I'll help you out. As stated, I have a solana 20"x20". I'll snap you some pics of it with a kessil on it and with an AI nano. Both will use factory mounts. This way you can have a better idea. I kind of want to play around with the nano just to see how it is compared to my AI's. (its the same unit, just half the size).

 

[kuyatwo]

Save your money and get a ai sol blue a nano sol is to small for a
24x24 footprint. I have a 48" long tank and I can tell you to get great coverage I went with 3 x ai sol blue, 2 would cover it but I would have shadows. Nano sol is for nanos not cubes like yours

Stay away from eBay fixtures as they are junk. lighting on a reef tank is not something you want to go cheap on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Phaquer]

Ai light with controller there is nothing else like for that price

 

[SethTheWineGuy]

If you are thinking of AI... Here is my experience. I think so many who are recommending these units are doing so because they would hate to admit they made a bad buy. Especially given the price they paid!
Aqua Illumination - THE GOOD THE BAD THE UGLY - Atlanta Reef Club Forums

 

[Rockadile]

im considering the maxspec light. I really like the look of those and the price is not awful.