Need help choosing light on Nuvo 50

[StonyReefer]

Hello, I am going to be upgrading my 36 bowfront to a IM 50 lagoon tank and had some questions regarding lights. I have been doing some research and and found these three.

• Kessil A360X
• Radion XR15 Blue
• AI Hydra 32

These three all have the same max spread which is around 24x24, and have slight lighting differences. The lagoon tank is 33x24 and I was wondering if one of those lights listed above would be enough; The sides would be the only part maybe under lit a bit. Or would I be better of buying two AI Prime 16 instead? I would like to know your guys opinion!

 

[SMSREEF]

If I was choosing between a hydra 32 or 2 AI primes, I would get the primes because you can have a wider spread of the light and hopefully less shadowing.
If I could get 2 hydra 26 on OfferUp or on here used for similar price to the primes, that would be my first choice.
Another good choice is a t5 hybrid with a prime.

 

[jtlmnop]

I am waiting on the same tank to ship out to me. This is my first reef tank, and after endless searching and debate, I settled on the Aqamai LRM. Found it for a great price on eBay, and based on the specs, it should be a great light to start with. Figured I could always add a second one down the road. Curious to see what you settle on.

 

[Chac317]

2 primes. More ways to customize coverage and spread and easier to add to in the future if needed.

 

[Bpb]

Enough for what kind of layout? Single unit mounted 12+” off the water would be enough for some sps directly under and lower light corals on the edges. Would be a visible bright spot wherever you put it. Wouldn’t be enough for end to end sps corals, Would likely be enough for low light stuff to survive all over. Two light sources is always better than one. It evens out the overall appearance of the tank. Making it visibly more pleasing, and offers more options for coral placement with less shading. Something often forgotten when looking at spread ratings of lights is thinking beyond lateral throw, and more of mechanism of delivery, shading and angles of incidence. I strongly prefer panel style lights for this reason, though pucks work fine if you double the recommended units for the space you’re covering. IE 2-kessil a360x for every 24”. Not one. Or 2 AI units per 24” not one.

 

[StonyReefer]

Enough for what kind of layout? Single unit mounted 12+” off the water would be enough for some sps directly under and lower light corals on the edges. Would be a visible bright spot wherever you put it. Wouldn’t be enough for end to end sps corals, Would likely be enough for low light stuff to survive all over. Two light sources is always better than one. It evens out the overall appearance of the tank. Making it visibly more pleasing, and offers more options for coral placement with less shading. Something often forgotten when looking at spread ratings of lights is thinking beyond lateral throw, and more of mechanism of delivery, shading and angles of incidence. I strongly prefer panel style lights for this reason, though pucks work fine if you double the recommended units for the space you’re covering. IE 2-kessil a360x for every 24”. Not one. Or 2 AI units per 24” not one.

I plan on having a few Sps with mostly softies and lps in the tank. Ill probably go with the 2 AI Primes because 2 kessil lights are not in my budget.

 

[StonyReefer]

I am waiting on the same tank to ship out to me. This is my first reef tank, and after endless searching and debate, I settled on the Aqamai LRM. Found it for a great price on eBay, and based on the specs, it should be a great light to start with. Figured I could always add a second one down the road. Curious to see what you settle on.

I am probably going to go with the 2 AI primes, but that Aqamia light looks good for the price. Im going to look at some reviews and whatnot

 

[jtlmnop]

I am probably going to go with the 2 AI primes, but that Aqamia light looks good for the price. Im going to look at some reviews and whatnot

This is the most thorough info I have found on the light, if it helps:
https://reefs.com/2018/01/06/aqamai-lrm-review-new-italian-ceiling-light/

 

[william swann]

Hello, I am going to be upgrading my 36 bowfront to a IM 50 lagoon tank and had some questions regarding lights. I have been doing some research and and found these three.

• Kessil A360X
• Radion XR15 Blue
• AI Hydra 32

These three all have the same max spread which is around 24x24, and have slight lighting differences. The lagoon tank is 33x24 and I was wondering if one of those lights listed above would be enough; The sides would be the only part maybe under lit a bit. Or would I be better of buying two AI Prime 16 instead? I would like to know your guys opinion!

+ 1 on 2 primes, i love my prime and i’m about to add another to my 40b

 

[bob salzlein]

I am probably going to go with the 2 AI primes, but that Aqamia light looks good for the price. Im going to look at some reviews and whatnot

You can check out some tanks on here using the Aqamai light. https://www.facebook.com/aqamaiusa

 

[uhgster1]

Personally I would go hybrid with the primes. I have 3 over a 65gal (36x18x25) and it’s been more than enough for my mixed tank. They’re more than adequate and once you dial it in you’ll be happy. There’s tons of information on them too.

 

[Mjl714]

How about one of those ATI Straton’s? They look beautiful.