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LED recommendations for Mr. Aqua Serene 12g long


holy carp

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Hello World,

 

I'm planning to set up one of these Mr. Aqua Serene 12g tanks in my bedroom. They have been around for a few years now, so I know there are people with first hand experience. I've seen a couple threads about them, most of which are 2 or 3 years old. Considering the lighting, I'm admittedly overwhelmed by the LED choices that exist. I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like the technology changes faster than I can read...

 

(disclaimer: this will be my first marine tank, so I may be completely misinterpreting some things)

 

There's obviously no hood on this tank, and the external aesthetics are important to keep this clean. It will be on a low wide dresser/credenza with a 10g sump/fuge below.I'm planning all the plumbing (and preferably wiring) from the left side of the tank down to the sump.

 

 

Originally I thought I'd just pick up a cheap Orbit Marine from Current USA since it was pretty cheap (<$200) and programmable full spectrum. The typical feedback on this choice was not to waste money on a 'toy,' so I got back to researching.

 

Since the tank is long (~36 inches) but narrow and shallow (~9 inches each), I'm having a challenging time figuring out which options are appropriate for good tank illumination without excessive wall and counter illumination.

 

Here are a few options I've been reading about, but at this point, it's getting overwhelming:

 

Kessil:

The 360 is appealing, and it sounds like I'd need two - at $400 each, that's $800 w/o programability

The 160 may be a cheaper alternative, though locked color temperature may be a tough decision - at $250 each, we're talking $500.

Sounds like they'd excel for shimmer, have good growth spectrum, and would be pretty silent for a bedroom - with a little more coverage from a spot than the AI and Maxspect below, it *think* I could use 2 instead of 3... (perhaps the w models would be better for that, but I'd be concerned they'll illuminate everything infront and behind the tank, so the narrow beam may work better)

 

AI:

The prime looks nice and small. Apparently they are quiet, but I believe their coverage may be limited, so it seems if they're covering 12x12, I might need 3 and at $230 each w/ stands, about $700. Programability and wifi make this seem pretty reasonable in the cost department, as no additional controller or interface would be required from the start. That being said, I'm not sure how this would interface with a controller if one is added later.

 

Maxspect:

The celestial 35f seems to be similar in price and performance to the AI prime, but looks more like a cannon spotlight than a paddle. At $230 each, we're at $700. They have individual programability, but no wifi. Tank clips look like gigantic chunks of plastic, though I haven't seen the scale first hand.

 

Reef Breeders:

The photon 32 looks like a good fit - programmable and reasonable at $450, though I'm not sure how silent... It's a pretty big hood, but perhaps could be suspended higher? Again, a bit concerned that it may just be lighting up too much infront and behind the narrow tank... But with 99 LED's, this one seems quite a deal.

 

Nanobox:

These look like a nice complementary profile - narrow and long, though I haven't been able to find pricing on the quad.

 

Ecoxotic:

The panorama looks pretty elegant, slim, and silent (fanless, I believe), though sitting right on the tank may be a visual detractor. Reasonable price - even cheaper than the DIY at buildmyled. The 36" bar is $220. Their controller is pretty cheap at $70.

 

Buildmyled:

These are simple and the selectable lenses would help for mounting higher. The arrangement of led's is beyond my experience. 36" with tank mount about $300

 

Ecotech

I may not be thinking about this right, but it seems my options for stretching out over 36" will all run well over a grand, so I haven't done too much research on these considering the other options.

 

 

I hesitate to bring my other issue into the mix - I had intended not to use a reef controller from the start, since that introduces a whole other dimension of questions... However, after researching many of these lighting options, I'm wondering if it's worth biting the bullet and investing in a full fledged controller, rather than an individual lighting controller that some of these would require. I'd like to have to lighting set for a 24h cycle.

 

And while I'm trying to keep the price reasonable, I'd much rather spend more now to avoid wanting to upgrade/change later, which would make a cheaper choice now more expensive in the long run.

 

Well, that kind of sums up the jumble going through my head, so I'd love to hear others' thoughts, considerations, or recommendations.

 

Thanks.

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It really depends on what you want to grow in the tank. The Current Orbit Marine would easily light that tank with softies and LPS corals but you will probably need to put SPS corals towards the top of the tank. For those that don't want SPS it will work just fine. I forgot who but someone even has a clam doing well under one of these fixtures. But obviously it is not the most powerful fixture out there but for the price it is a great fixture and far from a "toy". The reefbreeders are also quite nice and that Photon 32 would allow you to grow pretty much anything in a tank that shallow. I don't remember where but I believe the NanoBox Quad is right around $700 but I may be completely wrong with that. Could definitely shoot him an email and find out.

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pewpewkittah

+1 Current Marine Orbit.

 

You'll have great control over the fixture and it provides pretty good light output, I think plenty for a shallow tank like the 12g long. I wouldn't consider it a "toy". It's just got some cool settings to have fun with. You can't beat the price either. However, it lacks the purple, red and yellow (colors) LED's that some fixtures have. It just depends on what kind of look you want for the tank. I run a Ecoxotic on my 60P freshwater tank and I am pretty satisfied. Other then that I don't have much experience with the other suggestions you have listed, but a lot of people around here seem to like the Nanobox or Kessil lights.

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Two primes can cover 36inches no problem. They displayed them over the im fusion 30L. I'm using two on my build when I start it.

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Thanks for the info. I'd eventually like to add SPS corals, but that would be stage 2. First would be fish and LPS. As I'm still in the build stage and will be cycling with live rock before adding fish and corals (no need for lights at that point), it sounds like I can wait to see how this Orbit Marine pro turns out. Still no info on pricing that I've found, but if it's overly expensive, I guess 2 AI Primes might be the way to go...

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Thanks for the info. I'd eventually like to add SPS corals, but that would be stage 2. First would be fish and LPS. As I'm still in the build stage and will be cycling with live rock before adding fish and corals (no need for lights at that point), it sounds like I can wait to see how this Orbit Marine pro turns out. Still no info on pricing that I've found, but if it's overly expensive, I guess 2 AI Primes might be the way to go...

http://www.saltwateraquarium.com/aquarium-lighting/led-lights/current-usa-orbit/orbit-marine-pro-led-aquarium-fixture-current-usa.html

 

This link shows the prices for the Pro.

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Im in the process of setting up the same tank and i plan on using two primes as soon as my lfs gets them in stock. If you check out google images for the prime you will see the two primes on the im nuvo fusion 30l that someone mentioned. They appear to cover it very well

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For these sized tanks,either look into the Orbit like you already have,or get a T5 fixture. A 2 bulb would really be fine. Ever for some sps like Birdsnest and Montipora's. Probably some Acropora's if they're near the surface of the water. That'll probably be your best bet honestly. And run 2x ATI blue plus or a blue plus and a coral plus. Depending on how blue you like your tank.

 

Or fork out the money and build a light,or get a BML light. Really there's no way around forking out a assload of greenery for a tank that long. Good think is,it's shallow. You could use some of StevesLED's 3up (the individually wired version) and a few 430nm Hyper Violets,a Typhon controller,a 3-4up board from Coralux and a few LDD drivers and a PSU and you're set.

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Paleoreef103

A single 36" Build My LED light would work wonderfully for that tank if you're willing to give up controllability for a good price, coverage for the tank, and spectrum. It would be my personal choice if I was buying a light for that tank.

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