Sleekest/Best 24" light under $250

[phonecord_]

So I'm building a 17gallon rimless mr.aqua tank with a minimalist approach. I'm starting it off as a FOWLR but will most likely be adding corals when I'm ready. What light would you guys recommend that will perform but also look simple and sleek. I was thinking the Kessil A150W Special Blend LED, but I'm not sure if their Gooseneck clamp/mount will be able to have a tight enough bend to be in a nice centered position above the water in such a small tank, any opinions? I was also looking at the Marineland Reef capable led, but have no idea how well it works, the reviews seem to be mixed.

PS I have no real preference whether it's LED or T5 I just don't want to break the bank and I want it to look really good. I understand t5 systems will likely have a little more bulk but if they look good if really won't bother me.

[Herbie]

Anything Giesemann if you are looking for great performance and want it to look GREAT too. You will have to look for a used one though to keep your budget.
An ATI Powermodule is a great T5 unit that also looks great. They look better than the ATI Sunpower, but they dont make the Powermodule any longer........look used again.
Actually for your price point you should find a nice looking and performing small light fixture. New....... it will be tough to keep your budget for something that looks "sleek", and performs well for a reef tank. But then again, its only 17 gallons so maybe.
Look for T5, LED or a small halide set-up. I have used them all, and they all have there strengths and weaknesses. T5 have GREAT color and par, but no shimmer. Halides have good color and great par + great shimmer, but can run hot. LED's (some)have great color (to the human eye), good/great par + shimmer, and they run cool. But everyone is not sold on them yet. All LED's are not created equal, so do your research.
I am running LED's on my current tank, and they have a lot of benefits, but I am not 100% sold on them yet. Time will tell.

Look in the used Hardware section and you will find a nice used light fixture that fits your budget.

Good Luck,
Herbie

[phonecord_]

Hey thanks a lot for the detailed response!

[moondoggy4]

Look into a AI nano light.

[Herbie]

Look into a AI nano light.

That would be a great option for a 17.

Herbie

[phonecord_]

Hey so I just took a look at the AI Nano and love it. I just have one concern/question. The Mr Aqua 17 is 12" wide, using the supplied light bracket with the AI Nano will the placement of the light be near the center of the tank? I can't find much info on where the supplied mount actually locates the light.

[phonecord_]

just found the Micmol Aqua Mini. It has one less led then the AI unit but is also $100 less. Anybody know anything about the Micmol unit? The mount also looks much better then the AI mount

[moondoggy4]

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.micmol.com/&sa=U&ei=4okMUfyxKom7iwK8loGAAw&ved=0CCkQFjAG&usg=AFQjCNHghQA9M2eQHv_gU7giJ7D9rExrsA

[Herbie]

Check out the JBJ Unibody too............Looks pretty cool !

http://www.jbjlighting.com/prod-unibody.html

Herbie

[mooch1982]

If you go LED, go full spectrum. Otherwise Coral colors are likely to suffer, especially SPS. LPS would be fine.

[phonecord_]

The only thing I have found that is really within my budget is the micmol unit. does anyone have any experience with it?

[moondoggy4]

I would also checked back into the Kessil 150 very popular and I believe is on budget.

[phonecord_]

yea I was also looking at that.

anybody have any experiance with Zetlight's products? they look great and from a lot of research I found one site that lists some of the prices which were way cheaper then the above mentioned lights. no reviews however.

[moondoggy4]

http://apolloreefled.com/shop/reef-led-cube-light/ look into these as will they are a sponsor here and most of their lights are made in the US

[moondoggy4]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2256838 have you tried posting in the nano forums