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Small (8" or 11") lighting for high-tech nano

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14K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  jeffkrol  
#1 · (Edited)
Hoping your collective experiences and knowledge can help me out.

I'm planning to set up a nano tank. CO2, high light, the whole business. But I have a 2-part problem...

First, the tank that best fits my location is an 8" x 8" x 8" cube. Most of the lighting I'm familiar with starts at 11" for the shortest fixture.

Second, we still haven't had a PAR renaissance in light marketing, and I haven't really purchased high-tech lighting since T5HO was the hot thing, so I'm at a loss for finding LED lights that won't be disappointing (nothing worse than realizing your new lights are under-powered).

I could solve this by just going with an 11" x 11" x 11" tank. It would still fit my space, but maintanence would be a bit awkward and I'm honestly a bit tight for space. I would probably go with something like a Twinstar E or S series.

Otherwise, I'm looking for a light that would fit the 8" with comparable results.

I don't have an exact plant list yet, but I might want to try getting some nice reds out of something like H. pinnatifida and B. japonica (Always wanted to try getting red out of this one).

Always prefer not to spend more than necessary, but if it buys me a better experience I can go up to, let's say, ~$300 range. I'm not too concerned with apps, etc. As long as I can have it turn off and come on when I need it to, preferably with a less fish-tormenting dim-up/down, great.

Appreciate your contributions!
 
Discussion starter · #4 · (Edited)
I'm not usually a fan of Fluval, but for the dimensions I gave I'm a little blown away by what a good recommendation that is in terms of power, price, and availability.

You have impressed me.

IF I were to go with the 11" x 11" x 11" would you have a similarly great recommendation? Just for the sake of pricing out the builds... Before reading you advice I was considering the Chihiros WRGB2.

(aquariumpardata.com says the fluval nano light will really struggle at ~12" depth at 9" from center)
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
For an 8x8 tank you only need the light an inch or 2 off the water line.
Making your effective distance about 8" light face to substrate.

See no reason to believe you won't get greater than 50 par at the substrate level.

Ip67 rating has its advantages.

The seneye is not cosine corrected so it's very directional.
Off axis measurements can have errors compared to other par meters

Second at 8"wide your beam will hit glass before long. Light bounce will come into play
I think I'm going to go with the Fluval Nano for now. The ONF Flat seems like a great light, but as you said slightly too large, and I can't find it in stock in my country.

I also wanted to commend your relevant signature...
"A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure"
Appreciate everyone else with recommendations and thanks for showing off the tanks! If anyone happens to have pictures of a Fluval Nano light growing demanding plants, I'd appreciate it. All of the tanks I'm seeing with it are more easy/mid demand focused.