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

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.

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