maxspect vs. AI nano

[Ross]

I am currently running a generation 1 maxspect 60w LED. I am thinking about upgrading to a AI nano (35 w). Is this a big upgrade? The watts are quite a bit less but I guess the LEDs are a lot better now than they were 3 years ago. Let me know!

[Scutterborn]

Just asking a question but, why would you not consider the AI sol in place of the AI nano?


-Ben-

[KING]

+1

[Ross]

Because of the price, and it would be way over kill for what I'm doing.

[EpicWin]

Ok. I actually own an ai nano and a 120 watt 1st gen maxspect. First let me make this clear to anyone who reads this maxspect are a terrible investment. I have 6 different maxspect units and everyone has issues. I have 3 different ai units and not a single issue ever. This has been over a 2 year period.
Now onto ur question. The ai nano was at its max coverage for SpS over my 28 gal jbj nano cube. U can look up the dimensions. If I were u just spend the extra money to get an ai sol blue and ramp it down. Now to be totally fair, u don't like that the sols only have white and blue LEDs. I think a red and warm white and a uv are important. Go to ledgroupbuy.com and look at their semi DIY unit. U can get the colors u want and the size u want with the best led and save money. And it still looks very sleek. Just my 2 cents. Another option is get a used radion for 500 on r2r

[KING]

Vega is looking good on my 29g

[Ross]

Thanks for the responses. My tank is quite a bit smaller than your 28g. My display is only about 11 gallons. Is the nano brighter thn your older 120w max spect?

Also what is r2r? Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm
Not nearly involved in the online part of the hobby as I was several years ago.

[FireWater]

R2R is reef2reef, another large forum that is friendlier than reefcentral.
The nano will do what you want for that size tank Ross. I would however look at some other options that provide more color as Epic mentioned.

[EpicWin]

R2R is reef2reef, another large forum that is friendlier than reefcentral.
The nano will do what you want for that size tank Ross. I would however look at some other options that provide more color as Epic mentioned.

+1

[350gt]

Nano would be fine for just 11 gallons..:


if you need other colors, so many options that can be added later on..

[LuckySingh]

I am no led expert but I remember seen a lot of small 8 to 10gln aquarium in past under par38 leds .... Ecoxotix has a nice tricolor par38 that I might get it for our small future kitchen setup ....
http://www.ecoxotic.com/par38-tri-color.html

[Ross]

How much stronger are today's LEDs than they were 3 years ago? The newer units I am looking at are all less watts than what I currently have. Is 35 watts today stronger than 60 watts of what I have

[Ross]

I came across an AI sol blue almost bran new with controller for 350. Should I go with that or a AI nano with controller for 380 new? I am just worried the sol is way over kill.

[EpicWin]

It is but u can turn it down. Run it at 30 %

[Ross]

Thought I'd give an update. I ended up going with the AI sol. Got it set up with the controller today. This thing is sweet! Its a whole new kinda bright for my tank! I could not find anything about a clean hanging kit, but ended up finding this and it looks pretty good IMO. I have it hung about 9in above the tank. Getting my corals acclimated. I'm gonna go through a long acclimation (I have it maxed out at 15% now).

Excuse the old holes in the ceiling, I need to fix them still.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Rossthehoss/69E7343C-E52A-417E-BC0D-33B88970D7FB-11175-00000D6AC7BD4DFC.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Rossthehoss/9FA76B1E-3BB4-48D7-9AC4-A9CD7314C7A2-11175-00000D6AB7F37EC4.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g61/Rossthehoss/4F677EEB-B63D-4F3E-B5AC-BBFDC833D0D9-11175-00000D6AB40C7043.jpg

Last pic is with the lunar cycle on. Wh-0 Bl-1 Ry-1. Thinking about increasing the power on it a little bit.

[EpicWin]

You made a very smart investment.

[LittleReef]

I have an AI Nano on my 38g, and everything seems to be thriving in the tank. I've gotten some great growth on some easier SPS pieces, too! I also love how sleek and small it is, and the arm that it attaches to is nice.