Spoiled by my Biocube - IM Nuvo 10 Lighting?

[banasophia]

So I started with my Biocube 16 back in March, the startup went really smoothly, and I quickly became addicted to this hobby. 🙂  I then picked up a an IM Nuvo Fusion 10 with Skkye light from Facebook Marketplace for $80, but I haven’t had the same good luck or satisfaction with this tank. I really loved the look of it, it fits well where I want it, and I was super excited to try a different type of tank. However, dealing with the evaporation has been an issue since there’s no lid, the ATO I picked up keeps overloading the outlet in my GFCI adaptor causing that one outlet to shut off, and the lighting just doesn’t compare to my Biocube. 

 

Wondering what I should do at this point with this tank... if I should upgrade the light, or sell it and look for a second Biocube.

 

So my first question is, any suggestions on a light that can be set on timers with blues most of the day and whites part of the day that will work well but won’t break the bank? I think if I could get better programmable lighting with blues I would probably be really happy with the tank. 

[Joevember]

Imo the stock lights are crap. If your budget is around $200 get an AI prime HD, it's an awesome light and more than capable of growing sps in a nuvo.

If your budget is less than 200 you may want to look at an Aquamaxx Nemo (I haven't used it but I know people had luck with it). Same goes for the current usa strip lights.

A great led brand is kessil. They have the a160 and a80 which would both fit for your tank.

Last possibility is to spend a bit more than 200 and get a nanobox.

How much you invest into a light will dictate how well your tank will do.

[1891Bro]

1 hour ago, banasophia said:

So I started with my Biocube 16 back in March, the startup went really smoothly, and I quickly became addicted to this hobby. 🙂  I then picked up a an IM Nuvo Fusion 10 with Skkye light from Facebook Marketplace for $80, but I haven’t had the same good luck or satisfaction with this tank. I really loved the look of it, it fits well where I want it, and I was super excited to try a different type of tank. However, dealing with the evaporation has been an issue since there’s no lid, the ATO I picked up keeps overloading the outlet in my GFCI adaptor causing that one outlet to shut off, and the lighting just doesn’t compare to my Biocube. 

 

Wondering what I should do at this point with this tank... if I should upgrade the light, or sell it and look for a second Biocube.

 

So my first question is, any suggestions on a light that can be set on timers with blues most of the day and whites part of the day that will work well but won’t break the bank? I think if I could get better programmable lighting with blues I would probably be really happy with the tank. 

Forget programmable. Go with the a80 or a160 and just go with on/off outlet timer. 

[Joevember]

7 minutes ago, 1891Bro said:

Forget programmable. Go with the a80 or a160 and just go with on/off outlet timer. 

True, plus you can get a controller for them to make them programmable.

[banasophia]

Well what I like with my Biocube is I can run the blues from 6am til midnight and then the whites ramp on at 10:30 then back off at 7:30. I don’t thinking the ramping on and off is essential, but I’d love a light for $200 or less that can do that kind of schedule with blues and whites. 

[1891Bro]

Just now, Joevember said:

True, plus you can get a controller for them to make them programmable.

Yup. But if the budget didn’t allow, get the light now and get the controller on the next payday or whatever. 

[banasophia]

So I’m just not really sure which light and controller combo would do what I’m looking for, and what I would expect to pay for each component. Plus I’m looking for one that mounts on the tank, gooseneck or arm like the skkye light (not something that needs to be suspended or mounted to a wall). I can go higher than $200, I just don’t want to get too crazy with my cost. And this tank will likely be just LPS and softies since I don’t think my flow is as good as that in my Biocube. Really the main thing I don’t like about the skkye light is that it doesn’t do blues, otherwise I may have been fine with it.

[FISHnChix]

Look for used lights. I have had really good luck with them.. I got a Kessil a360 with a arm for 200 bucks on the market place on nanoreef. I got another one with a bracket and controller for 300 on reef2reef.. keep your eyes open and you can find good deals.. there has been some good deals on nanobox duos too on these sites

[1891Bro]

43 minutes ago, banasophia said:

So I’m just not really sure which light and controller combo would do what I’m looking for, and what I would expect to pay for each component. Plus I’m looking for one that mounts on the tank, gooseneck or arm like the skkye light (not something that needs to be suspended or mounted to a wall). I can go higher than $200, I just don’t want to get too crazy with my cost. And this tank will likely be just LPS and softies since I don’t think my flow is as good as that in my Biocube. Really the main thing I don’t like about the skkye light is that it doesn’t do blues, otherwise I may have been fine with it.

I push the kessil because I just don’t like the ai. Too much disco color separation. I’ve never seen a nanobox in person so I don’t push towards or away on that. If you’re not gonna be going for higher light sps then the a80 is a great light for a great price. I got the light with a free gooseneck from saltwateraquarium.com I don’t know if that deal is still available. You just set the intensity to what you need and adjust the color to where you like it. Then set it up on an outlet timer. It’s a good deal for what it is if you can live without the controller. If you like the light but still want to control it just wait for a used controller to pop up for sale. 

[FISHnChix]

8 minutes ago, 1891Bro said:

I push the kessil because I just don’t like the ai. Too much disco color separation. I’ve never seen a nanobox in person so I don’t push towards or away on that. If you’re not gonna be going for higher light sps then the a80 is a great light for a great price. I got the light with a free gooseneck from saltwateraquarium.com I don’t know if that deal is still available. You just set the intensity to what you need and adjust the color to where you like it. Then set it up on an outlet timer. It’s a good deal for what it is if you can live without the controller. If you like the light but still want to control it just wait for a used controller to pop up for sale. 

Never heard anyone complain about the disco on a prime but I haven't ever seen one in person . I have an old AI nano on my qt and it doesn't have the disco effect,  but I do have black sand in that tank. I run the nanobox in my biocube and looks great and grows coral. I went with the kessils for my new build bc of the simplicity. I am not a big fan of adjusting all the colors and using an app for control.. bulk reef supply has some good videos on the kessils explaining how you can adjust to the color you like and it will still grow corals all the same.. never used one yet but have seen them all over differant lfs frag tanks growing coral like a champ..

[specore]

54 minutes ago, Weikel said:

Look for used lights. I have had really good luck with them.. I got a Kessil a360 with a arm for 200 bucks on the market place on nanoreef. I got another one with a bracket and controller for 300 on reef2reef.. keep your eyes open and you can find good deals.. there has been some good deals on nanobox duos too on these sites

I agree.  If you don't mind waiting until the right deal comes along  that is.  Generally there are good deals on lights which will do what you want a couple of times a week.  Personally I think the Nanobox has the most control for your buck, if you can find a decent deal on a used tide.  Kessils can also be programmed to change color throughout the day if you have the Kessil controller or an Apex with variable dimming.  I have had and love both.  Haven't ever seen the AI but people love them and they show up for $100-$125 fairly regularly as well, although I'm not 100% they have an arm mounting option.  

[1891Bro]

25 minutes ago, Weikel said:

Never heard anyone complain about the disco on a prime but I haven't ever seen one in person . I have an old AI nano on my qt and it doesn't have the disco effect,  but I do have black sand in that tank. I run the nanobox in my biocube and looks great and grows coral. I went with the kessils for my new build bc of the simplicity. I am not a big fan of adjusting all the colors and using an app for control.. bulk reef supply has some good videos on the kessils explaining how you can adjust to the color you like and it will still grow corals all the same.. never used one yet but have seen them all over differant lfs frag tanks growing coral like a champ..

I have used the old ai nano and I think the reason for not noticing disco is that it’s only white and blue, it’s still there but not as noticeable because of the lack of all the different colors. You would notice, having used a kessil, the disco on the ai. There are tons of users here that post photos where the disco is more than obvious, if you can’t find one to see in person. 

Edit: I think the ai is so well accepted because the controller being built in at its price point. Not that it’s cheap, but it’s proven to work and is a good deal. Personally I’d rather use a par38 over the ai because if I’m gonna see disco I don’t wanna spend that much and I don’t feel the need for a lighting controller. 

While I say I don’t need, I would like the controller but I’m not gonna spend that money. I keep lowballing the sellers I find to get one but no luck so far. 

[Lugmos12]

2 hours ago, banasophia said:

Well what I like with my Biocube is I can run the blues from 6am til midnight and then the whites ramp on at 10:30 then back off at 7:30. I don’t thinking the ramping on and off is essential, but I’d love a light for $200 or less that can do that kind of schedule with blues and whites. 

AI Prime HD. sometimes it's for sale on Dr. Fosters and Smith

[1891Bro]

14 minutes ago, Lugmos12 said:

AI Prime HD. sometimes it's for sale on Dr. Fosters and Smith

 

[banasophia]

17 minutes ago, 1891Bro said:

 

Well I guess if it leads to the corals Stayin Alive that might be okay haha!!! 

[banasophia]

1 hour ago, specore said:

I agree.  If you don't mind waiting until the right deal comes along  that is.  Generally there are good deals on lights which will do what you want a couple of times a week.  Personally I think the Nanobox has the most control for your buck, if you can find a decent deal on a used tide.  Kessils can also be programmed to change color throughout the day if you have the Kessil controller or an Apex with variable dimming.  I have had and love both.  Haven't ever seen the AI but people love them and they show up for $100-$125 fairly regularly as well, although I'm not 100% they have an arm mounting option.  

Yeah so after reading all your posts I went on my local FB reef group and someone had a Kessil a160 with the controller and gooseneck for only $140! I tried to get it but he replied that he just sold it yesterday. 😞 So, I’ll keep my eye out for sure and do more research in the meantime!!! 

[Clown79]

I too up my IM 10g daily. You really can't get away from the evap without a lid.

 

 

I had the skyye light, came with mine as I purchased it used.

 

The light was not good. It had very little spread.

 

I've used the aquamaxx nemolight, Abi Tuna blue, and now Micmol aqua g3. All worked well.

 

I had to change lights because I needed the aquamaxx on my 5g and the Abi tuna blue was only 12w so I changed to the Micmol.

 

I have a Prime on my 25g, I love it but honestly my corals have done very well under all the lights listed above....so it really depends on if you want to spend a lot of money or save some for more corals

[specore]

1 hour ago, banasophia said:

Yeah so after reading all your posts I went on my local FB reef group and someone had a Kessil a160 with the controller and gooseneck for only $140! I tried to get it but he replied that he just sold it yesterday. 😞 So, I’ll keep my eye out for sure and do more research in the meantime!!! 

I see some on Facebook Marketplace from time to time as well.  

[banasophia]

So a guy in my local reef group just told me he has this Kessil with gooseneck, less than a year old (from his frag tank he sold)... $160 with the gooseneck but no controller..  thinking of getting that and then keeping an eye out for the controller. Does that seem like a decent deal? 

 

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kessil-a160we-tuna-blue-led-light.html

[specore]

There was a controller in the classifieds for like $80

[Joevember]

1 hour ago, banasophia said:

So a guy in my local reef group just told me he has this Kessil with gooseneck, less than a year old (from his frag tank he sold)... $160 with the gooseneck but no controller..  thinking of getting that and then keeping an eye out for the controller. Does that seem like a decent deal? 

 

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/kessil-a160we-tuna-blue-led-light.html

It's a good deal if its the a160. Most of them go for about $160 without gooseneck.

[dferrari13]

Love my kessil a160! Good choice!

 

 

[banasophia]

8 hours ago, dferrari13 said:

Love my kessil a160! Good choice!

 

 

Wow your tank looks amazing! Thanks for posting!!! 

[specore]

Won't last long

 

 

[FlytheWMark]

I use the Kessil A80 on this tank... love it... got the controller recently and the corals are responding well with the different lighting throughout the day.