New to LED's

Discussion in 'LED Aquarium Lighting' started by littlej2455, Dec 19, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. littlej2455

    littlej2455 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2011
    Messages:
    5
    Hey guys,

    I am new to LED lighting and I wanted to get your opinion on what would be right for me. I have a 10 gallon nano, that is 24 inches long. I want to have some soft corals and fish. I have looked at a few fixtures and did not know which is the best buy. Here is what I have looked at so far:

    Innovative Marine's popular LED Skkye light tablet (1) $300
    Aqua Illumination Nano (1 maybe 2) ~$300 for one
    Truelumen Pro LED 24" (2) ~$200
    PAR30 Reef Lamp Kit (2) ~$200

    Obviously I like the $200 price better.

    Thank you so much for your help!
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2011
    littlej2455, Dec 19, 2011
    littlej2455, Dec 19, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. m2434

    m2434 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2011
    Messages:
    3,471
    I've always had good luck with the Boost PAR 30s. They are simple and work well. Not dimable though. Although, personally, I grew up using non-dimable CF, MH and T-5 fixtures, so, I don't really care. I find I play around with dimming at first and then get bored and just set it and forget it anyways, but you may like dimming, that is a personal preference. The AI nano is very good, but I don't think it will cover 24" well. You could certainly go with an AI and swap out the 40deg lenses, for 70s, and hang it higher. Certainly plenty of dimming capabilities and frills with the AI. I like mine. I'm not as familiar with the other two.
     
    m2434, Dec 19, 2011
    m2434, Dec 19, 2011
    #2
  3. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    The $300 solar skyye would be way too much. An ai nano would need to be turned way down or be too much. I would go with the par30. I've not seem a complaint yet.

    Michael Rice
    Marine Engineers Aquarium Blog
    Sent from Tapatalk so excuse my poor English
     
    mikejrice, Dec 19, 2011
    mikejrice, Dec 19, 2011
    #3
  4. reefwerks

    reefwerks Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2011
    Messages:
    109
    Location:
    Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
    Exactly...
     
    reefwerks, Dec 19, 2011
    reefwerks, Dec 19, 2011
    #4
  5. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    I'm surprised you could even understand what I said. Stupid autocorrect!

    Michael Rice
    Marine Engineers Aquarium Blog
    Sent from Tapatalk so excuse my poor English
     
    mikejrice, Dec 19, 2011
    mikejrice, Dec 19, 2011
    #5
  6. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    Messages:
    6,166
    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    Siri is a mysterious mistress!
     
    cosmo, Dec 20, 2011
    cosmo, Dec 20, 2011
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. littlej2455

    littlej2455 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2011
    Messages:
    5
    You guys are awesome. I think the Par 30 it is. Can you give me some advice on which kind, because I noticed that there are about 7 different options. Luke what is the different between the degrees of the light? And I would like for the water to definetly sparkle and good for some soft coral growth. Thank you so much!
     
    littlej2455, Dec 20, 2011
    littlej2455, Dec 20, 2011
    #7
  8. littlej2455

    littlej2455 Plankton

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2011
    Messages:
    5
    Do you think this would be too much light?

    OCReef PAR 38 CREE LED Aquarium Lamp
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2011
    littlej2455, Dec 20, 2011
    littlej2455, Dec 20, 2011
    #8