Admonition Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Just picked up the new Innovative Marine Fusion 30L and I plan to transfer over the contents of my Nuvo 16. Subsequently, I'm really not sure what my realistic options are for lighting this tank. I plan to stock softies, LPS, and when I'm brave enough, SPS. That being said, what do you recommend as a light fixture that could support those corals given the display section of my tank (34 3/4 inches long by 12 1/2 inches tall by 10 1/4 inches deep). My budget is $500 tops. I've been looking at a 160watt Maxspect Razor 16000k light. The fixture seems to be one that people love or hate. Its one that's been recommended as adaquate lighting by another Fusion 30L owner, so I'm wondering if this is my best option given my price range. I also looked at the AI Hydra which seems to also be enough lighting for my tank, but its $100 over my budget at around $600, which seems like a lot of money for an LED light. Which is subsequently follwed up by the EcoTech Radion at $650. Does anyone have a recommendation for a light that will grow those corals given my tank's dimensions and is worth the investment? I don't mind paying extra now if it means the unit will last me in the long run. I'd rather spend a little more now and have something for years than buy something a few dollars cheaper that dies on me a year in. Thank you guys for the help! Link to comment
Admonition Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 Bump =P I'm still stuck on which LED to get. The Maxspect Razor 160 watt is $500 and comes with a hanging kit and is controllable without anything extra to purchase. The Hydra 52 is $600, and needs a hanging kit ($45) and a wireless controller ($80) to be purchased in addition. The Radion Gen3 is $650, and also needs a hanging kit ($50) and a wireless controller ($100) to be purchased in addition to the unit. I plan to buy the Apex soon after the purchase of my light fixture, so the 'controller' expense for the radion and hydra is moot. But with the cost of hanging it, I have the Razor at $500, Hydra $645, Radion $700. Obviously the Razor would be my best option if flat price is the only issue, however, given that I plan to buy an Apex (which works with Ecotech and AI), would it be worth spending the extra $150-$200 for one of these over the Razor? As far as build quality, is one of these fixtures better than the others and worth the cost to last longer? I would love some advise, especially from users / owners of these fixtures. Thank you! Link to comment
Spiderguardnano Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Have you considered the ATI t5 fixture? I'm thinking of leaving led and going back with t5s it seems like a lot more of the older reefers here all used leds but switched back to t5 good luck Link to comment
gahumphrey Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Why not consider the AI Vega? I picked one up off ebay brand new for $325 and another one for $385. All together i have 3 of them with an AI Director. I have two over my Nuvo SR-80 and one over my 29G Biocube. I love the flexible programming with the director plus they're fully upgradeable to the Hydra 52. Or check these out. These are pretty bad ass. Two off these over a Fuion 30L would be killer. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/346922-new-ai-hydra-twentysix/ Link to comment
Admonition Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 No, I have not. And honestly I'd prefer to stick with an LED fixture for this tank, but thank you for the suggestion. As far as the vega, I was told that it isn't as good of a light compared to the hydra 52? Assuming I bought this fixture at msrp $400, is it worth getting and keeling stock vs spending $200 more for the hydra 52? And yeah, I saw those Hydra 26's, but if they're technically the Hydra 52 cut in half but with a price tag of $400, wouldn't it make more sense to spend $600 and get the full fixture instead of $800 for two halves? Link to comment
gahumphrey Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 The biggest difference between the Vegas and the Hydra 52 is the spectrum (52 has UV and Violet). I've been seriously considering a Fusion 30L myself to replace my 29G BioCube. Here's my only concern with either a Hydra or Vega over a Fusion 30L. The Fusion 30L is 36" wide. The suggested spread of a Vega or Hydra 12" over the water is 24" x 24" which means you'll have about 6" on either side of the tank that has heavily diffused and diffracted light. That might be okay if you want to stick low light corals on either side of the tank but I prefer to have even spread throughout the tank. That's where the 26 would come in handy. You could put a 6" EXT rail between the two to get a more even spread across the 36" width of the tank. If you don't mind spending the extra cash, my personal suggestion would be #1 two Hydra 26 or #2 1 Hydra or #3 1 Vega. I'm a huge AI fan as you can probably tell. I'm sure there are quite a bit of other great LED solutions out there as well. Link to comment
chrisfronczek Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 I went with a BuildMyLed 36" 20K fixture with my 30L. Couldn't be happy. Super sleek with the tank mounts. Came out to around 475 with the multichannel controller. Link to comment
Eckozulu Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Talk to Dave at nanobox. The 24" duo would be perfect for your tank. Btw, I have a vega on my nuvo 24 with a length of 36", and so have a couple of other people here. But would go with a nanobox if I were to do it again. Link to comment
Admonition Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Gahumphrey: Maybe I read the page wrong, but AI's website shows that their PAR readings were for a 36 inch by 36 inch area, which works for the tank I have (thehttp://www.aquaillumination.com/lighting/hydra/). As far as two Hydra 26s, I see what you're saying, but I'm not sure that I want to spend $800 to stretch out a $600 fixture. I'd rather spend the $200 on something else. And thanks, I'll have to look up the Buildmyles and nanobox routes too Link to comment
bdevillier19 Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Go with the nanobox. Sleek, stylish, and top notch customer service. Link to comment
gahumphrey Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Gahumphrey: Maybe I read the page wrong, but AI's website shows that their PAR readings were for a 36 inch by 36 inch area, which works for the tank I have (thehttp://www.aquaillumination.com/lighting/hydra/). As far as two Hydra 26s, I see what you're saying, but I'm not sure that I want to spend $800 to stretch out a $600 fixture. I'd rather spend the $200 on something else. And thanks, I'll have to look up the Buildmyles and nanobox routes too They Hydra chart on that link does show 36"x36" but you can see that they're showing 24"x24" being the sweet spot and the par readings really substantially dropping off outside the 24". I also talk to the techs over at AI quite a bit. They don't recommend using them for an area greater than 24" x 24" or deeper than 24" deep. As far as price goes - I'd say yeah, a little pricey but I am definitely an AI fan and run Vegas over both my tanks. The controlability (i think i made up a word) with the AI Director is fantastic. I do think Nanobox, BuildmyLED and others are really good choices too. I personally prefer AI and their customer service has made me a customer for life. I had a Vega act a little buggy. They were great about troubleshooting and very responsive. After a while the problem seemed to correct itself. They ended up sending me a new motherboard anyway, just in case it happens again outside warranty. I messed up two pucks in another vega because (like a moron) I used a power screwdriver to attach an EXT rail. The instructions clearly say not to do that but they sent me two new pucks anyway - no charge. I love the AI folks. Link to comment
SRVA80 Posted June 2, 2014 Share Posted June 2, 2014 Nanobox... Just upgarded my Nuvo 16 to the 30 Link to comment
Bodasifa Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 i am going with 2 Kessil A160WE's on my fusion 30 Link to comment
deathbyart Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 It's such a difficult decision because quite honestly, they are all great choices. I used AI on my BioCube and loved it. I have an LFS that has a Kessil setup and that looks amazing. I went with Nano Box Duo on my current tank and haven't looked back. It looks great, works amazingly and even wireless control. Dave (Nano Box) created a little chart that breaks down some comparisons. Nano Box Comparison Thread Link to comment
reef.led Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 We currently stock two lights that would work very well for that size aquarium and are under your max budget and include all required hardware and free shipping. Both of these lights would have more than enough power to grow anything in that aquarium. Aqua Pro R60 WIFI - $448 Aqua Pro Plus - $465 Link to comment
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