starting a sps nano...need lighting advice

cblair · #1 10-15-2010, 05:41 AM

ive been succesfully keeping sps in a 30g cube under 250w mh but im starting a 12x14x14 roughly 6.5 gallon display pico tank. my main goal will be to introduce small hardy sps frags under led lighting. just curious if anyone has any experience with the maxspect g1 or g2 60w led fixture for keeping sps. Its supposed to put out the same power as roughly a 70w mh. just wondering what other sps keepers would think of this. thanks in advance.

gobytron · #2 10-15-2010, 02:20 PM

I've kept almost everything under a 70W HQI, from clams to sps with a 12" depth, so if the par is similar, I don't see why it wouldn't work for you.

cblair · #3 10-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Thanks gobytron. ive considered using a 70w mh but with such a small water volume im worried about the heat transfer. just hoping the claims are true about this led from maxspect.

TheMikey · #4 10-15-2010, 03:10 PM

In the alternative, you could probably do a DIY LED for substantially less than the G2. There's some great reading on RC about it:

DIY LED Write Up

lorenz0 · #5 10-15-2010, 03:40 PM

Im running a 150mh on my 14gal. Trust me, just top off your water and my tank water doesn't fluctuate that much in temp

marcingo · #6 10-15-2010, 03:46 PM

I purchased the key nano unit. 10 or 12 cant remember 3 watt cree LEDs and it works incredible on my 10 gallon. Might be too strong for your use. It is from the same guys that sell the maxspect. My zoos and LPS would not open until I put them under a rock ledge on the sand bed due to the strength of the light. The SPS are growing very well and I am running a skimmerless system with 2 power heads and water changes.

In case you are wondering it was $200 shipped to my door. Built in moonlights and fans. Have been using it for 2 months now and love it.

cblair · #7 10-15-2010, 04:04 PM

Wow thanks for all the info guys. I have thought of a do it yourself but not sure I trust my wiring skills. I will definatley check into that key nano unit thanks again

sphelps · #8 10-15-2010, 05:38 PM

I'm in the process of setting up a 6.6gal pico with LEDs. I just purchased a 6x3W LED retro kit from RapidLED for $70. I don't know how much light it'll create and what kind of corals I'll be able to keep but I figured it was a good start and the driver can actually power up to 12 LEDs so I can add more if need be.
IMO SPS won't be very sustainable in a pico. I'm not saying you shouldn't try but you'd be better off starting with soft and lps first and then going from there.

cblair · #9 10-15-2010, 06:38 PM

yeah its going to be a challenge with sps in a pico. its been a challenge in my 30g cube with all the bells and whistles... strong light, strong alternating current and calcium reactor. with this tank im going to take the minimalist approach as ive seen on some forums. No sps will be added until the tank is cycled and balanced and i have a good idea of what it takes to handle the water chemistry of a small tank. The tank is actually coming in tomorrow and i will be posting a build thread once things start rolling and i decide what type of lighting i want.

gobytron · #10 10-15-2010, 07:54 PM

I have a 70W HQI sunpod for sale...

Mint condition, newish (2 month) bulb and all 8 led's and fan work perfectly.