Aquaillumination Prime

[Intheflesh]

I've been looking for replacement LEDS for our Nano. We need something sleek and low profile. Right now we have a 5x3watt slaorflare from Deep Blue. Its a great idea, but we are just unhappy with the spectrum. (2) 6.7K, (2) 10K and (1) 460nm actinic. It has a 3 way switch- all, off, actinic. With all the lights, its just too white and washes out any color.

For the last few weeks, I was torn between the IA nano or a XR15 (both were way more than I wanted to spend, but they were they only thing that seemed to fit what we wanted). But then I found this while on m.depot last night:

http://www.aquaillumination.com/lighting/prime/
http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaIllu..._(AquaIllumination)-3Z4813-FILTFILDPO-vi.html

They are still 4-6 weeks from shipping, but it looks promising. Decent price, full spectrum, built in wifi (no controller or AI Director is required!). It seems perfect for our nano.

I'm pretty sure we are going to order it, and wanted to share this in case any one else as looking for an LED set up.

 

[dz6t]

AI nano is NOT a full spectrum light, but the AI prime looks very promising.
Among all AI offers, only the Hydra series (52, 26 and original Hydra) are full spectrum.

If you need to get one now, XR15 is a better choice.
The new Ecotech LED is significantly better than their older offering primarily with better spectrum coverage.

 

[Bao]

The light is pretty small. How big is your nano?

 

[Intheflesh]

Our nano is only 12 gallons. 19x12" foot print I believe.

 

[JasonandSarah]

I'd go Xr15 pro, I switched lights a couple times and now have 2 Xr30 gen 3 pro's and I'm very happy with them in a sps dominant tank!
Plus you should always get something that would be of good use in a upgrade, Just in case.

 

[Intheflesh]

Dong-

i know that the Nano is not full spectrum and that the xr15 is a significantly better light. But cost is always a factor. I could find an IA nano for $300, vs the Radion for $450 (new prices). When comparing these 2, I would side with the AI on price alone. This is only a 12 gallon tank. Im' not looking to spend a ton of money here.

The Prime looks very promising. For what it has to offer. The Xr15 I think I just way over kill for the tank anyways, and the price is just another negative factor

 

[Bao]

I don't think this light can cover the area of 19" x 12".

 

[dz6t]

Dong-

i know that the Nano is not full spectrum and that the xr15 is a significantly better light. But cost is always a factor. I could find an IA nano for $300, vs the Radion for $450 (new prices). When comparing these 2, I would side with the AI on price alone. This is only a 12 gallon tank. Im' not looking to spend a ton of money here.

The Prime looks very promising. For what it has to offer. The Xr15 I think I just way over kill for the tank anyways, and the price is just another negative factor

Since there are only 4 week to Prime release, may be a little waiting is justified.
Currently you can use a Chinese LED on your tank. If you need one, you can borrow mine.

 

[Intheflesh]

Oye... This still hasn't been released. And apparently that mount that was supposed to come with it is an extra $100. So that puts it at $299. Its still a lot cheaper than the XR15 pro.

I've been watching the pre orders on Marine Depot, and the ETA has been 2-3 days for the last 2 weeks. I don't think this will ever get released. Ha!

 

[STiTCH87]

The mounting bracket is $50 extra, not $100. Though it's foolish considering you cannot hang the unit, why wouldn't the mount be included? The light will be released by end of March BTW.
I'm keeping eyes on it, but i'll probably just go with a 165W dimmable remote LED from eBay for $150 and save my $100 for an ATO or RKL. I mean really, if you need WiFi for your light over your aquarium, IMO, it's not really worth it. You set up your light once, and tend to leave it, so is WiFi really worth it? Nope! Even programmable isn't a big deal since they've shown SPS live in areas with short sunrise and set times, and have shown that many SPS grow just fine without ramp up/down. For example, MH and T5 grow SPS, LPS, and Softies along with clams just fine. That's my main reasoning i'm leaning toward the basic Chinese LEDs. Only thing I like about the Prime is the sleek form factor.

 

[Intheflesh]

The mounting bracket is $50 extra, not $100. Though it's foolish considering you cannot hang the unit, why wouldn't the mount be included? The light will be released by end of March BTW.
I'm keeping eyes on it, but i'll probably just go with a 165W dimmable remote LED from eBay for $150 and save my $100 for an ATO or RKL. I mean really, if you need WiFi for your light over your aquarium, IMO, it's not really worth it. You set up your light once, and tend to leave it, so is WiFi really worth it? Nope! Even programmable isn't a big deal since they've shown SPS live in areas with short sunrise and set times, and have shown that many SPS grow just fine without ramp up/down. For example, MH and T5 grow SPS, LPS, and Softies along with clams just fine. That's my main reasoning i'm leaning toward the basic Chinese LEDs. Only thing I like about the Prime is the sleek form factor.

$50... that's a lot more reasonable, but still I would expect it to be included. There was someone posting on the AI Facebook page that it was $100. Must be bad information.

I keep looking at Chinese LEDs too, but to put it bluntly, they are just ugly. I also keep looking at is the "Micmol", which I believe it is $279. Although I remember seeing it for $199 on the 'Bay at one point marketed under a different name.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aqua-Pro-Mi...908?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51c380a8c4

Another nano LED I just learned about is Zetlight:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zetlight-16...t=LH_DefaultDomain_2&var=&hash=item417f9cdb63
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zetlight-10...180?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item417f9cd66c

 

[STiTCH87]

Those are both not bad.

IDK if you've ever seen the CoralBox, but it's another option to consider, though priced very close to the AI Prime with bracket @ about $210 shipped:
http://www.fish-street.com/coralbox_m1_led_aquarium_lighting

It's fully programmable and 4 channel dimmable, full spectrum. Around the same wattage as Prime. Comes with hanging kit and tank mount brackets, but it's side and side brackets, not back tank mount like maxspect has.

Also on the eBay LEDs, the one with the timer built in is a bit nicer looking IMO:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AquaSTAR-165W-LED-Aquarium-Light-Spectrum-Build-in-Timer-Remote-Control-System-/301486194513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4631fa3f51

 

[wpeterson]

Have you considered a Kessil A150/160?

 

[Intheflesh]

Have you considered a Kessil A150/160?

no. purely for asthetic reasons

 

[dz6t]

Those are both not bad.

IDK if you've ever seen the CoralBox, but it's another option to consider, though priced very close to the AI Prime with bracket @ about $210 shipped:
http://www.fish-street.com/coralbox_m1_led_aquarium_lighting

It's fully programmable and 4 channel dimmable, full spectrum. Around the same wattage as Prime. Comes with hanging kit and tank mount brackets, but it's side and side brackets, not back tank mount like maxspect has.

Also on the eBay LEDs, the one with the timer built in is a bit nicer looking IMO:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AquaSTAR-165W-LED-Aquarium-Light-Spectrum-Build-in-Timer-Remote-Control-System-/301486194513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4631fa3f51

Those LED look like Maxspect razor.

 

[STiTCH87]

Those LED looks like Maxspect razor.

From the same Chinese factory, but slightly different LED array, and full spectrum. Also different controller. Some also know it as the Aqua Sanrise A001-30.

 

[JasonandSarah]

Zetlight makes decent lights. They're actually the same warehouse that builds the Maxspect Razor.
Also there's a diy company that sells a diy Radion nano. I'll have to look for the website but they even use the Tir lenses that are used on the real Radions. But then again it's not as pleasing to the eye and that seems important to you.

Found it..... http://reefbuilders.com/2014/04/10/aurora-led-puck-kit-rapidled/

 

[dz6t]

Very interesting.

 

[STiTCH87]

Zetlight makes decent lights. They're actually the same warehouse that builds the Maxspect Razor.
Also there's a diy company that sells a diy Radion nano. I'll have to look for the website but they even use the Tir lenses that are used on the real Radions. But then again it's not as pleasing to the eye and that seems important to you.

Found it..... http://reefbuilders.com/2014/04/10/aurora-led-puck-kit-rapidled/

You're speaking of the Aurora LED Puck from www.rapidled.com

I have friends with the kit and it's great. $260 shipped for one equivalent of a XR15, and $310 shipped equal to a Radion.
You can also get a WiFi controller for it for an additional $200. That's a DIY Radion, with WiFi, for $510 shipped.

When you say "not as pleasing to the eye" keep in mind the photos are of just the heatsink, and it comes with a housing. It's the same housing as the RapidLED Onyx, but with an open bottom with acrylic splash guard.

Companies such as DetailedLEDSystems sells them already assembled for $450 and $550, respectively.

There's really less than a dozen plants in China pumping out most of our Reef LED systems honestly. A few small companies beyond that, but nothing you'll ever really see out there.

 

[JasonandSarah]

You're speaking of the Aurora LED Puck from www.rapidled.com

There's really less than a dozen plants in China pumping out most of our Reef LED systems honestly. A few small companies beyond that, but nothing you'll ever really see out there.

Agreed... I only said that because I read a couple articles stating the Zetlight was a much better light.
They also have a new Wp40 from zetlight that can be controlled in sync with the light. Different controller as well.
http://www.tropical-sealife.de/inde...uct_id=63&virtuemart_category_id=29&Itemid=13

The kits look really cool. I like how they use those spotted led lenses now, a year and a half ago I wanted to put them on my Chinese leds and couldn't find them anywhere.