Im Nuvo Fusion Nano 10
 

Would the 18w light with this aquarium be enough for some zoas and softies?? Trying to keep costs low but wondering if I'd be better off to get the setup without the skkye 18w light for $140 instead of $280 with the light. Anyone know of some decent lights to use instead? I'd prefer not to be limited by the light.
http://www.reefsuppl...-LED-light.html

Also does anyone have experience with this tank or heard anything about it?

I have the 16g with 2 of those lights and i can keep softies and zoos no problem,i dont think the lights are worth the price they cost but they do a ok job

yes, you wont get very good colors out of your corals with the light tho

Agree, you are better off saving the $140 and buy a proper reef led for cheaper, most likely.

Reef lights
 

Is there any that you'd recommend that are in the same price range roughly??

Roleadro Led 55x3w Dimmable 165w Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Light for Reef, Coral & Fish https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00INM0J1M/..._76o6wb18Z9T98

Any recommendations?

I ran an ai prime over my 10 gallon, it is more money but for the controlability it was great.
Occasionally you see a used one pop up for $200 ish.

You could go the diy route with par 38 bulbs, there are lots of threads out there on how to do this.

I've been happy with the growth and colours I'm getting using inexpensive "Chinese" LEDs (very similar to the one you posted on the Amazon link). I bought mine used and I have a new spare one. I've also liked results from my Kessil A150 but all these may be too powerful for a 10g, even dimmed down.

This one might work well for you. If you're good with a soldiering iron, maybe switch out a few whites for some other colours and add a UV emitter to make it more full spectrum.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...d.php?t=118673

Anthony

Would I be able to use just one par38?

Probably, but you'd have to raise it higher to achieve spread. The problem would be any spread would be equally distributed 360 degrees, whereas your tank is long and narrow, so the light distribution would be uneven.

Would the Amazon one I attached be too powerful for a 10g or do you think dimming will be enough?

Personally I'd go with a kessil or an air prime.

Unfortunately those are a little out of my price range at the moment. Trying to stay under $200

Have you thought about 1 or 2 par 38 bulbs the rapid led ones are really good color and lots of par for sps while set up wouldn't be too much for money also check out light box led

I purchased this one for my 10g http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Dimmable-Full...:X:AAQ:CA:1123

I have it dimmed quite a bit. More than happy with it and nice to know if I upgrade the tank I still have enough light with this unit.

It should be fine.. Over a year ago before I took a break from the hobby, I had the RapidLED PAR38 (80 degree optics, mounted 6-7" above water, dimmed to about 90%, which is the max my dimmer would go to when used with this bulb) over a standard 5g with LPS and Zoas with no problems. Since the bulb is dimmable, just make sure you dim it and ramp up over time to acclimating your new coral additions.

I used this with my Par38 for dimming and it worked great.
https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.c...000101675.html

Since the Nuvo 10 has a cube-ish display (12" l x 12" w x 13" h), a single par38 should be enough spread to cover the entire tank. With some simple math, you would need to mount it at the following height depending on the lens option you go with:

d = degree optics
12" / 2 = 6"
tan(d/2) = 6" / H
H = 6 / tan(d/2)

Approx 7" off the water surface will give a 12"x12" spread on the surface for 80 degree lenses
Approx 10" off the water surface will give a 12"x12" spread on the surface for 60 degree lenses.

I recently restarted the hobby and chose the Nuvo 10 as well. I bought it from an LFS that didn't carry the standalone tank so I just sold the Skkye LEDs to someone here and opted for an AI Prime over my Nuvo 10 instead. They are a little expensive but they are fully featured. But I wouldn't recommend them if you are planning to upgrade tanks in the future. The Par38 from RapidLED are great if you just want something for now and don't mind that they're not the prettiest or coolest looking lights. I liked the color it provided and they're dimmable with a simple accessory.

My mistake. If Nano 10 is more cubish, then a single Par38 would be a better choice and provide enough spread still compared to the bigger, more powerful LED you posted the link for.

With the kessils or ai prime you can keep everything from mushrooms to across in the 10g nuvo if you keep up with water changes

Thank you everyone for the quick responses, I'll see if I can find a used Kessil or AI prime and if not maybe I'll go with the par38 from lightboxled.

I think Coral Hoarder was selling an ai prime on here a few weeks ago, not sure if he sold it or not.

I would suggest kessil a160. That's what's on my nuvo 10 gallon and I have some sps that is doing really well amongst a lot other coral. And I have it set at 40% (sometimes I think it's too much) which leaves lots of room to be able to upgrade tank size if you choose in the future. It's expensive but you will never regret it.