Too much lighting or too little for 50g

ajoe · 09/21/2016, 07:03 PM

Getting ready to introduce some soft corals and LPS to my 50 gallon tank and want to upgrade my lighting prior. Very narrow tank as you can see. Only 12 inches wide. Was considering 2 AI Prime's since it is soo narrow but am also considering 2 of the EchoTech Radion XR15w G4 Pros or 2 of the Nano Box Reef Duo Plus M. As an entrepreneur I really like supporting other entrepreneurs out there and Box Reef appears to produce an excellent product. EchoTech as we know is on the short list of top of the line systems. Any feedback on either/both appreciated. Too much light? Not enough?

Thanks all.

50 G. 48x12x18

worldbook · 09/21/2016, 07:25 PM

How do you feel about Kessil's? They are coming out with a new a80 that would be good for a narrow tank. Maybe go with 2-3 of them. I'm thinking there will be a lot of "wasted light" with the Radions. Two would definitely work, but if I were going to spend 800 dollars on lights, I would want to know the light is being used well.

I can't speak to the other brands, as I am not familiar with them. Also, can't say I personally like the look of the Kessil's but owners seem to be crazy about them. My LFS has them all over his display tanks.

Good luck

ajoe · 09/21/2016, 07:30 PM

Thank you WB. Your the second person to mention the "wasted light" component and that is a concern of mine. I was attempting to treat this tank as 2 nano reefs 24x12x18 and lighting from that perspective which leads me to the AI Primes. I will definitely look into the Kessil a80s. Haven't heard a bad thing about them other than the shimmering which some love and some hate.

cheers

worldbook · 09/21/2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajoe

Thank you WB. Your the second person to mention the "wasted light" component and that is a concern of mine. I was attempting to treat this tank as 2 nano reefs 24x12x18 and lighting from that perspective which leads me to the AI Primes. I will definitely look into the Kessil a80s. Haven't heard a bad thing about them other than the shimmering which some love and some hate.

cheers

The A80's are not quite out yet. You can find videos of them from MACNA I think they are releasing soon. I like the AI prime's. I've seen one nano with one on it. I think it was a 16 x 16 cube. Looked nice.

CafeReef · 09/22/2016, 07:00 AM

I have had Nanobox DUO LED's and now using a Radion XR15w. Both have been fantastic. I had absolutely incredible growth from my NanoBox LED. I was going to keep it, but my Radion came in a package deal with my new tank. I am hard pressed to say which is better between the two. The control is more "tuned" on the Radion, bluefish with the nanobox gives a lot of great control, but not to the level that Ecotech does with EcoSmart. I also really like that EcoTech offers users the ability to upload template files. This way individuals with great success can share their lighting schedules/settings and you just upload the template.

I really liked the "shimmer" I got from my nanobox, it's one look I definitely miss as the Radion doesnt shimmer/disco as much. I know most people prefer no disco but I really enjoy it personally.

I think from a tech perspective and customization, I would go dual Radion's over the Nanobox. But honestly not by much. If you are wanting aesthetics I would go. NanoBox. I experienced incredible growth for both my SPS and LPS under my NanoBox. I had a frogspawn that went from 2 heads to 7 heads in just 6 months. Radions are capable of the same, but I have not had the same growth (this has been my fault for not taking the time to tune or get the template I need in place).

CafeReef · 09/22/2016, 07:02 AM

Personally though, if you go NanoBox, reach out to Dave and see what he could do for a custom Quad setup, I know the max width is set to 40' but has narrow as and shallow as the tank is, raising it up could cover what you need. It would be plenty to cover the width of your tank and would look badass. I really like what he's doing now allowing you to customize your heatsink and fan covers.

alton · 09/22/2016, 07:07 AM

A used 48" 20K Build My Led would be perfect if you could find one.

ajoe · 09/22/2016, 05:02 PM

Thanks for that honest review CafeReef. Much appreciated. With little difference b/t the two I will likely go with NanoBox if for no other reason than as an entrepreneur I like supporting fellow entrepreneurs like Dave. Already in discussions with him.

cheers
ajoe

worldbook · 09/22/2016, 09:04 PM

Wow, I didn't know that NanoBox fixtures are made in NC. I will have to look into them when I need lighting again.

CafeReef · 09/22/2016, 10:36 PM

Yea, Dave was making nanobox led's as a side job until Mayish of last year when he finally made a go at it full time. I love supporting small outfits like his.

mpderksen · 09/22/2016, 10:53 PM

So I built a tank for my desk that was 4' X 8" wide X 12" tall from acrylic. I contacted RapidLED and they created a custom heatsink and led setup for me for about $250US. Yes, I had to assemble it, but their flexibility was awesome. Being near their shop in the San Francisco area, I picked it up and they were great guys. The package used no soldering, and came with a hanging kit.
I had used 2 of their 2" kits for my 75gal, and their customer service was so good I called them for the custom project. I like building stuff...

ajoe · 09/22/2016, 11:24 PM

Awesome tank MP. I get a lot of grief about the narrowness of my tank but I do like the slick narrow look of it. Mine just happens to be an 18 year old marineland 50 but I still to this day love the look and it really does provide plenty of room for everyone to stretch out. I just keep the livestock to a minimum an enjoy the inverts and husbandry as much as anything. Those rapid LEDs look sharp. Glad you are happy with your purchase. And what great price point.

cheers
ajoe

09/21/2016, 07:03 PM	#1
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Too much lighting or too little for 50g Getting ready to introduce some soft corals and LPS to my 50 gallon tank and want to upgrade my lighting prior. Very narrow tank as you can see. Only 12 inches wide. Was considering 2 AI Prime's since it is soo narrow but am also considering 2 of the EchoTech Radion XR15w G4 Pros or 2 of the Nano Box Reef Duo Plus M. As an entrepreneur I really like supporting other entrepreneurs out there and Box Reef appears to produce an excellent product. EchoTech as we know is on the short list of top of the line systems. Any feedback on either/both appreciated. Too much light? Not enough? Thanks all. 50 G. 48x12x18

09/22/2016, 07:00 AM	#5
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	I have had Nanobox DUO LED's and now using a Radion XR15w. Both have been fantastic. I had absolutely incredible growth from my NanoBox LED. I was going to keep it, but my Radion came in a package deal with my new tank. I am hard pressed to say which is better between the two. The control is more "tuned" on the Radion, bluefish with the nanobox gives a lot of great control, but not to the level that Ecotech does with EcoSmart. I also really like that EcoTech offers users the ability to upload template files. This way individuals with great success can share their lighting schedules/settings and you just upload the template. I really liked the "shimmer" I got from my nanobox, it's one look I definitely miss as the Radion doesnt shimmer/disco as much. I know most people prefer no disco but I really enjoy it personally. I think from a tech perspective and customization, I would go dual Radion's over the Nanobox. But honestly not by much. If you are wanting aesthetics I would go. NanoBox. I experienced incredible growth for both my SPS and LPS under my NanoBox. I had a frogspawn that went from 2 heads to 7 heads in just 6 months. Radions are capable of the same, but I have not had the same growth (this has been my fault for not taking the time to tune or get the template I need in place). __________________ 50 Gallon cube

09/22/2016, 07:02 AM	#6
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	Personally though, if you go NanoBox, reach out to Dave and see what he could do for a custom Quad setup, I know the max width is set to 40' but has narrow as and shallow as the tank is, raising it up could cover what you need. It would be plenty to cover the width of your tank and would look badass. I really like what he's doing now allowing you to customize your heatsink and fan covers. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

09/22/2016, 10:36 PM	#10
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	Yea, Dave was making nanobox led's as a side job until Mayish of last year when he finally made a go at it full time. I love supporting small outfits like his. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

09/21/2016, 07:25 PM	#2
worldbook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 56	How do you feel about Kessil's? They are coming out with a new a80 that would be good for a narrow tank. Maybe go with 2-3 of them. I'm thinking there will be a lot of "wasted light" with the Radions. Two would definitely work, but if I were going to spend 800 dollars on lights, I would want to know the light is being used well. I can't speak to the other brands, as I am not familiar with them. Also, can't say I personally like the look of the Kessil's but owners seem to be crazy about them. My LFS has them all over his display tanks. Good luck

09/21/2016, 07:30 PM	#3
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Thank you WB. Your the second person to mention the "wasted light" component and that is a concern of mine. I was attempting to treat this tank as 2 nano reefs 24x12x18 and lighting from that perspective which leads me to the AI Primes. I will definitely look into the Kessil a80s. Haven't heard a bad thing about them other than the shimmering which some love and some hate. cheers

09/22/2016, 07:07 AM	#7
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	A used 48" 20K Build My Led would be perfect if you could find one.

09/22/2016, 05:02 PM	#8
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Thanks for that honest review CafeReef. Much appreciated. With little difference b/t the two I will likely go with NanoBox if for no other reason than as an entrepreneur I like supporting fellow entrepreneurs like Dave. Already in discussions with him. cheers ajoe

09/22/2016, 09:04 PM	#9
worldbook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 56	Wow, I didn't know that NanoBox fixtures are made in NC. I will have to look into them when I need lighting again.

09/22/2016, 10:53 PM	#11
mpderksen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Manteca, CA Posts: 1,853	So I built a tank for my desk that was 4' X 8" wide X 12" tall from acrylic. I contacted RapidLED and they created a custom heatsink and led setup for me for about $250US. Yes, I had to assemble it, but their flexibility was awesome. Being near their shop in the San Francisco area, I picked it up and they were great guys. The package used no soldering, and came with a hanging kit. I had used 2 of their 2" kits for my 75gal, and their customer service was so good I called them for the custom project. I like building stuff...

09/22/2016, 11:24 PM	#12
ajoe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 297	Awesome tank MP. I get a lot of grief about the narrowness of my tank but I do like the slick narrow look of it. Mine just happens to be an 18 year old marineland 50 but I still to this day love the look and it really does provide plenty of room for everyone to stretch out. I just keep the livestock to a minimum an enjoy the inverts and husbandry as much as anything. Those rapid LEDs look sharp. Glad you are happy with your purchase. And what great price point. cheers ajoe