Lighting Advice for Innovative Marine 20 Nuvo.

[cliftonrouse]

I ordered the SmatFarm G5 from Amazon and do not like the looks of the light. Way to shimmery and hardly any blues IMO. I am back to the hobby after 10 years, so I come from the Metal Halide/T5 Days. I also tried to order the Noopsyche Pro V3 and after 13 days with no shipping or no communciation, I think I am back to the start again. My range is $100-300. What would be my best solution for this tank? I plan to run a mixed reef with some higher intensity corals.

 

[rtparty]

Start with an AI Blade Grow and go from there. Used is also a great way to save some money. Might be able to find a couple AI Primes for a good deal

 

[cliftonrouse]

Any other ideas? I have the AI Primes on my mind. The burnt lens problem does seem to worry me a bit though.

 

[littlefoxx]

Ive got an AI prime on my 15 IM with no issues. Corals seem to like the light too

 

[jrill]

I'd go with the blade

 

[cliftonrouse]

I'd go with the blade

Seems like the general Consensus.

 

[rtparty]

Any other ideas? I have the AI Primes on my mind. The burnt lens problem does seem to worry me a bit though.

Yes, that’s an issue to watch for. However, AI seems to replace them for free most of the time. Still a pain to deal with.

 

[Hooz]

I have a Nuvo 10 (12" length) that I ran with a single Prime for almost 3 years, and a Nuvo 30L (36" length) that's been running with 3 Primes for over 3 years. I mean, if I had the 24" Nuvo 20, I'd run a pair of Primes.

I wouldn't worry too much about lens melt. Keep the fans clean and wipe down the lenses weekly with a damp cloth. You likely won't have to run the lights anywhere near their max to get the PAR you need, even for " higher intensity" coral (I assume you mean SPS?).

The Blade would also be an option, but you would need at least 2, a Grow and a Glow to get a spectrum similar (but still not as good, IMO) to what you'd get with the Primes.

 

[cliftonrouse]

I have a Nuvo 10 (12" length) that I ran with a single Prime for almost 3 years, and a Nuvo 30L (36" length) that's been running with 3 Primes for over 3 years. I mean, if I had the 24" Nuvo 20, I'd run a pair of Primes.

I wouldn't worry too much about lens melt. Keep the fans clean and wipe down the lenses weekly with a damp cloth. You likely won't have to run the lights anywhere near their max to get the PAR you need, even for " higher intensity" coral (I assume you mean SPS?).

The Blade would also be an option, but you would need at least 2, a Grow and a Glow to get a spectrum similar (but still not as good, IMO) to what you'd get with the Primes.

This is what I am leaning towards. 2 Primes. Also considering 1 XR 15 Blue. Torn

 

[trmiv]

I run a single Red Sea Reefled 50 on my Nuvo 20

 

[cliftonrouse]

I decided on a Radion XR15 G6 Pro. I will post pictures once installed.