AI Sol or Sol Nano?

nano_reefer2010 · 02/04/2011, 03:21 AM

Hey guys. I have an 11 gallon Mr. Aqua Rimless in the works, and was wondering about lighting options. I planned on a DIY fixture, but i stumbled across the AI fixtures, and man are they nice. The controllers for them are exactly what i've been looking for! i was just wondering if the nano will be adequate for my tank. The dimensions are ~19"x12"x12" high. I will be keeping SPS and clams. Thanks the input

Reefsnob · 02/04/2011, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nano_reefer2010

Hey guys. I have an 11 gallon Mr. Aqua Rimless in the works, and was wondering about lighting options. I planned on a DIY fixture, but i stumbled across the AI fixtures, and man are they nice. The controllers for them are exactly what i've been looking for! i was just wondering if the nano will be adequate for my tank. The dimensions are ~19"x12"x12" high. I will be keeping SPS and clams. Thanks the input

AI modules are awesome, only down fall is the spread. I would stick with the AI blue. SPS and clams will be more than fine.

Reefsnob · 02/04/2011, 08:44 AM

Oh the reason to go bigger... If it is too much light, you can always dial it back. If you upgrade your tank you have a light that can move along with you.

hebygb · 02/04/2011, 10:06 AM

So would I need two of the AI blue over a 24 x 24 x 12 tank (SPS)?

nvdiz · 02/04/2011, 10:13 AM

id go with the regular version as well

nano_reefer2010 · 02/04/2011, 01:01 PM

Thanks. A quick question. What all can this controller do? I know it can do Dawn/Dusk/Moonlights. But can it be set to automatically ramp up to a certain percent, and then back down?

keithrett · 02/04/2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nano_reefer2010

Thanks. A quick question. What all can this controller do? I know it can do Dawn/Dusk/Moonlights. But can it be set to automatically ramp up to a certain percent, and then back down?

Yes the newer controllers can ramp up to a set percent and then ramp back down. They can also simulate thunderstorms. And also if you get the super blue model (white/blue/royal blue) you can independently control each set of lights. Before the blue and royal blue were controlled as one set. The older controllers can easily be upgraded so don't worry if the controller doesn't have these options when you get it. The update can be found at the bottom of AI's homepage under "Whats new".

nano_reefer2010 · 02/04/2011, 11:40 PM

I was planning on purchasing the super blue from reefgeeks. It comes with the new controller so I should be good to go

thanks for the help guys

E.intheC · 02/05/2011, 08:59 AM

I have almost the exact same sized tank (19 x 13 x 13) and was considering one AI Sol Nano. IMO, it'd be more than enough for clams and SPS.

In the end, I'll probably end up going with 2x PAR38 bulbs from RapidLed for three reasons.. they're better for my rockscape (2 pillars), quite a bit cheaper, and they're actually available right now. How much longer will the wait be for the Sol Nano? The release date has been pushed back more than once.

It's definitely a nice light fixture though

calvin415 · 02/05/2011, 10:10 PM

Just got my SOL Blue for my ADA 60-P 24x12x14 and absolutely love it! I've used par38s before and these are 100x better. No spot lighting like the 38s, plus more control of the color, more control of the brightness, and a controller that handles all of it. For the record Thunderstorm setting freaking rocks!

sucker_fish · 02/06/2011, 12:16 AM

pics.....pics....I am planning on going the led route and have heard lots of good things about these lights but have never seen any in person. I was actually thinking of the nano light for my biocube 29 but may have to go with the regular sol blue

nano_reefer2010 · 02/06/2011, 02:31 AM

Calvin: I was actually going to build an LED fixture until I saw this amazing light on your tank. Great build! I will be following closely. I am also considering waiting to get an ADA and then set up my tank. Is the quality as good as it seems to be?

calvin415 · 02/06/2011, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sucker_fish

pics.....pics....I am planning on going the led route and have heard lots of good things about these lights but have never seen any in person. I was actually thinking of the nano light for my biocube 29 but may have to go with the regular sol blue

Here is mine...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1967609

Quote:

Originally Posted by nano_reefer2010

Calvin: I was actually going to build an LED fixture until I saw this amazing light on your tank. Great build! I will be following closely. I am also considering waiting to get an ADA and then set up my tank. Is the quality as good as it seems to be?

Thanks, yes I was wondering the same thing myself... I mean come on isn't a glass tank a glass tank? No! these tanks are truely a work of art. Every edge is ground, polished, and bevel cut. Plus they over build them, so even if you removed the rim off an all glass tank it doesn't match up in strength. If you built the tank yourself, having the glass shop do all the same edge prep that goes into these tanks, I don't think anyone could get these silicone joints as perfect. There is zero excess silicone anywhere, and the joints are so perfect, that you would swear there was no silicone in the joint. I've built all my own acrylic tanks over my last 3 builds plus many more for other people, and I honestly do not think they hold a feather to these setups. They really are worth the money, and it broke my heart yesterday to put a hole in mine...

HTH,
-E

E.intheC · 02/06/2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvin415

They really are worth the money, and it broke my heart yesterday to put a hole in mine...

..I know what you mean. Yesterday, I drilled two holes in my rimless tank.

nano_reefer2010 · 02/07/2011, 12:25 AM

Thanks calvin. I ordered this mr. Aqua some time back, and it looks nice, but the silicone is sloppy. I also like the dimensions of the ADA alot better. I see your tank and it looks great. I may set this tank up as my frag tank. Do you know if the bottom of the ADA tanks are tempered?

calvin415 · 02/07/2011, 09:43 AM

They are not tempered. I just drilled mine (side and bottom)...

nano_reefer2010 · 02/07/2011, 03:30 PM

Do you have any pictures of yours drilled?

E.intheC · 02/11/2011, 12:00 PM

Calvin, have you played with the controller settings further?
Can you explain how/why you like the AI better than the par38s? Not trying to challenge you or anything at all like that, just curious. Thanks.

02/04/2011, 03:21 AM	#1
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	AI Sol or Sol Nano? Hey guys. I have an 11 gallon Mr. Aqua Rimless in the works, and was wondering about lighting options. I planned on a DIY fixture, but i stumbled across the AI fixtures, and man are they nice. The controllers for them are exactly what i've been looking for! i was just wondering if the nano will be adequate for my tank. The dimensions are ~19"x12"x12" high. I will be keeping SPS and clams. Thanks the input

02/04/2011, 10:13 AM	#5
nvdiz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Skokie Posts: 1,345	id go with the regular version as well __________________ Nano Cube 24 <----- Look at pics in my albums Current Tank Info: SPS Biocube 29

02/05/2011, 08:59 AM	#9
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	I have almost the exact same sized tank (19 x 13 x 13) and was considering one AI Sol Nano. IMO, it'd be more than enough for clams and SPS. In the end, I'll probably end up going with 2x PAR38 bulbs from RapidLed for three reasons.. they're better for my rockscape (2 pillars), quite a bit cheaper, and they're actually available right now. How much longer will the wait be for the Sol Nano? The release date has been pushed back more than once. It's definitely a nice light fixture though __________________ -Eric

02/05/2011, 10:10 PM	#10
calvin415 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: C. Springs, CO Posts: 4,530	Just got my SOL Blue for my ADA 60-P 24x12x14 and absolutely love it! I've used par38s before and these are 100x better. No spot lighting like the 38s, plus more control of the color, more control of the brightness, and a controller that handles all of it. For the record Thunderstorm setting freaking rocks! __________________ -February 2007 nTOTM "The problem with America is stupidity. Why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself" Current Tank Info: ADA 60-P

02/07/2011, 09:43 AM	#16
calvin415 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: C. Springs, CO Posts: 4,530	They are not tempered. I just drilled mine (side and bottom)... __________________ -February 2007 nTOTM "The problem with America is stupidity. Why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself" Current Tank Info: ADA 60-P

02/04/2011, 08:44 AM	#3
Reefsnob Moved On Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 51	Oh the reason to go bigger... If it is too much light, you can always dial it back. If you upgrade your tank you have a light that can move along with you.

02/04/2011, 10:06 AM	#4
hebygb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 2,207	So would I need two of the AI blue over a 24 x 24 x 12 tank (SPS)?

02/04/2011, 01:01 PM	#6
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	Thanks. A quick question. What all can this controller do? I know it can do Dawn/Dusk/Moonlights. But can it be set to automatically ramp up to a certain percent, and then back down?

02/04/2011, 11:40 PM	#8
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	I was planning on purchasing the super blue from reefgeeks. It comes with the new controller so I should be good to go thanks for the help guys

02/06/2011, 12:16 AM	#11
sucker_fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Covington, TN Posts: 441	pics.....pics....I am planning on going the led route and have heard lots of good things about these lights but have never seen any in person. I was actually thinking of the nano light for my biocube 29 but may have to go with the regular sol blue

02/06/2011, 02:31 AM	#12
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	Calvin: I was actually going to build an LED fixture until I saw this amazing light on your tank. Great build! I will be following closely. I am also considering waiting to get an ADA and then set up my tank. Is the quality as good as it seems to be?

02/07/2011, 12:25 AM	#15
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	Thanks calvin. I ordered this mr. Aqua some time back, and it looks nice, but the silicone is sloppy. I also like the dimensions of the ADA alot better. I see your tank and it looks great. I may set this tank up as my frag tank. Do you know if the bottom of the ADA tanks are tempered?

02/07/2011, 03:30 PM	#17
nano_reefer2010 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 164	Do you have any pictures of yours drilled?

02/11/2011, 12:00 PM	#18
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	Calvin, have you played with the controller settings further? Can you explain how/why you like the AI better than the par38s? Not trying to challenge you or anything at all like that, just curious. Thanks. __________________ -Eric

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