AI Nano LED review: good things can exist in small packages

By Mark van der Wal on Sep 27, 2011

I recently updated the lighting on my low tech reef tank with an AI Nano LED which is a world apart from the conventional lighting I had been using. I had some disdain for the included 150-watt “disco-ball” metal halide pendant that came with my Current USA Solana – the intrusive size and whacky appearance distracted me from the simplicity of the system. The 150 watt metal halide light was also the largest energy consumer on the tank and an unwelcome heat source so I decided to give the AI Nano LED a try. I was skeptical that a 35-watt led fixture could supplant a 150-watt metal halide. I will concede that the disco ball is not the best representative of a 150-watt MH pendant but my tank is 20×20” so a big spread wasn’t needed.

After spending some time with the Sol Nano, here are my likes and dislikes:

Likes:
1. This thing is tiny! Imagine stacking two hard drives for reference.

2. The Nano has a respectable light distribution for its size… No problem lighting a 20×20” tank, but I do believe the lower edges of the tank are probably better suited for lower light corals. An unexpected perk is zero light spillage and less growth on the glass.

3. The small size makes working in the tank much easier. I also enjoy the added viewing real estate from the surface. See picture below that compares it to the old disco ball.

4. The fan is silent. You would need mouse ears to hear it. I find equipment noise distracting to the tranquility of a reef tank. The silence of this unit blew me away.

5. The onboard controlls are fantastic for tuning the light spectrum to your preference. I look forward to trying out the AI controller for more versatility.

Dislikes:
1. The included mounting bracket was a nice gesture, but I had a lot of trouble with it. Standard tanks with plastic trim will have to come up with a DIY mount. My tank is rimless, but the glass was too thin for the short plastic screws that clamp the mount. Thicker glass would suggest a larger tank, while this unit is targeted for “Nano” tanks. The length of the mount is short in regards to my 20×20” cube. The mounted light did extend past the built-in filtration chamber, but not far enough to light the forefront of the tank. I ended up mounting it to the flimsy false wall of the filter, which I had to reinforce with acrylic.

2. Having all that light originate from such a small point source has some ramifications.It results in some hard shadows. While I haven’t seen any recession, I do notice coral shading is much more apparent. The second issue is a very intense glimmer effect. I love glimmer lines, and I favor tanks illuminated with metal halides, but the glimmer from this fixture is intense and takes some getting used to. Imagine filming metal halide glimmer and replaying it at 2X speed. People with sensitive vision may not like this effect. However, the intense shimmer can be managed by reducing surface agitation.

Overall, I’m extremely impressed with the AI Nano LED. I’m thrilled with the tiny footprint, and 75% less energy consumption. If I was working with an sps-dominant tank of the same size, I would probably upsize to the standard Sol. But for a nice lps/softy cube, this light can definitely handle tanks on the larger end of nano reef volumes. I just wish it came with a better mounting bracket. In a few months, I’ll report back with long-term observations. So far, I’m impressed enough to consider LED technology for my 180-gallon sps reef.

FTC regulations require that we inform you that we were given this product for review, but our opinion of a product is never affected by how we acquire them.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=608040062 Ioannis Mylothridis

Thank you for the review. Great pictures and naturalistic tank

The mounting bracket looks a lot better than many people gave it credit for.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3LLNDZ5XJ6ZQ76J2VLDUQD5WOA Micheal

good call with the light, looks WAY better than the retro stainless steel ball look

One thing I’ve noticed with LEDs, the whites in particular, is that they are VERY good at growing algae (even kinds we don’t want) when compared to halides. I see your tank has its own algae growing in it (presumably by choice) are you seeing any difference in its growth?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3LLNDZ5XJ6ZQ76J2VLDUQD5WOA Micheal

good call with the light, looks WAY better than the retro stainless steel ball look

One thing I’ve noticed with LEDs, the whites in particular, is that they are VERY good at growing algae (even kinds we don’t want) when compared to halides. I see your tank has its own algae growing in it (presumably by choice) are you seeing any difference in its growth?
John Ostler

I picked up the nano when it first came out as well. I didn’t have luck with the bracket either on my plastic rim tank. I ended up mounting it to the top of my hang-on-back filter to give it a little more height and as a quick fix. A HUGE thanks to ReefGeek for offering it’s customers a $50 refund after AI announced the immediate price drop. The shimmer I like, it actually reflects blue light all the way up to the 15′ ceilings. I’ve never had this dramatic effect on other aquariums. Also, the small form factor makes maintenance a true dream. Overall I like the light, but after a few weeks of using, would prefer of spend my money on the Sol or new Phoenix as the coverage is just a little bit too ‘spotlight-like’.
Anonymous

Really…you think so…

That bracket is so NOT the same kind of industrial design I expect our of AI. From the color to the form to the mold marks to the screws it looks like an ugly afterthought. Not only that, it does not seem too secure. This is probably the reason I could not find a clear shot of it on their web site.

I love the design of AI products…I do not know how this thing got out the door.

In fact, on the AI tank showing the nano light at MACNA they used a different mount. I saw the “shipping” mount at the ATI booth actoss the way.
Anonymous

Really…you think so…

That bracket is so NOT the same kind of industrial design I expect our of AI. From the color to the form to the mold marks to the screws it looks like an ugly afterthought. Not only that, it does not seem too secure. This is probably the reason I could not find a clear shot of it on their web site.

I love the design of AI products…I do not know how this thing got out the door.

In fact, on the AI tank showing the nano light at MACNA they used a different mount. I saw the “shipping” mount at the ATI booth actoss the way.
Anonymous

Really…you think so…

That bracket is so NOT the same kind of industrial design I expect our of AI. From the color to the form to the mold marks to the screws it looks like an ugly afterthought. Not only that, it does not seem too secure. This is probably the reason I could not find a clear shot of it on their web site.

I love the design of AI products…I do not know how this thing got out the door.

In fact, on the AI tank showing the nano light at MACNA they used a different mount. I saw the “shipping” mount at the ATI booth actoss the way.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001443324671 Patrick Jewell

Expecting so much out of something so insignificant. It’s a bracket. Let the dead horse die.
Mark van der wal

I haven’t seen a change in growth yet. The MH did a good job of growing my ‘desirable’ algae, and I’m seeing good growth with this light as well. I recently cleared some algae out, and added some turtle grass seedlings. Hopefully, they do well with the light.
Mark van der wal

I haven’t seen a change in growth yet. The MH did a good job of growing my ‘desirable’ algae, and I’m seeing good growth with this light as well. I recently cleared some algae out, and added some turtle grass seedlings. Hopefully, they do well with the light.
Anonymous

Sorry, I had not know this to be beaten to death already. I have not been following this particular light on all the forums, etc. I only was commenting because the commenter above said it was not that bad and this did not jive with what I saw live at MACNA. Also, unlike many other venues, and to their credit, Reefbuilders seems to appreciate great design and style and also comment when it is not quite up to snuff. That is the only reason I posted the above. Again, sorry if this is a worn out topic, I truly had no idea.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=608040062 Ioannis Mylothridis

First of all, do not twist my words. I never said that the bracket matches the high quality of the fixture!

Second of all, i personally like its looks. It could be beter of course but NOT without compromising the pricing! Following basic economics: High-end bracket = higher price. Not so sure everyone would be willing to pay for that.

It would however be a good idea to offer an optional bracket for those that do not like the standard one

Also keep in mind that AI did not even intend to add a bracket in the first place, it was a last-minute-addition as a little extra.
Anonymous

Sorry but I did not twist any words, I only said that I could not believe it was better than people were saying. I guess people must have really been blasting this mount.

Better design does not always mean higher cost. In fact, it is often the contrary.

And, if they would have shipped this without a bracket, what would most people be able to do with it? I cannot imagine a nano-light coming without a bracket of some sort to position it over the tank. This is a different application than their other lights for sure.

As I said before, I love the design and function of this and other AI products, that is probably why this was such a let down for me.

Horse = DEAD
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VP2AH2FX2HF2VF2HM7RRHIWDDY Chipper

No thanks.

Just more LED junk.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Orrder-SixteSix/100003659479806 Orrder SixteSix

We get it, you dont like LEDS.

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