Nana Uno LED Lights

[Henlek]

Hi everyone, want to share another alternative to ADA Aquasky and Starlitz. Recently got myself a 30cm cube tank and was considering the Starlitz Clear 30 LED lights until I saw and bought the Nana Uno 30cm from Fishy Business (FB).

Inspected the Nana Uno and found it to be of similar quality to the Starlitz. The plastic is very clear, thick and sturdy. Metal is also good. The major difference of the Uno to the Starlitz is that while the Starlitz uses 5 strips of LEDs (2 yellow/ 3 white), the Uno has 30 individual LED nodes arranged in 3 by 10. I am definitely no expert in LED, but I would naturally think that the Uno outclass the Starlitz in this area. The Uno is all white LEDs, rated 15w and sits nicely 8cm above the tank rim. There is also a 60cm version and a twin 60 to double the lights. Here are some pics;


Comes in a real nice box



Out comes the goods



The LEDs arrangement, very good built



Perfect for a 30cm tank



Seriously this picture does little justice to the 15w, it is really bright in life. Should grow anything in there.



Very eager to start on this tank and test this light. Before that, and judging by the built and looks, this is a nice piece of light. Expensive though (Starlitz about the same price), but has the genes of the real ADA stuff at a much less cost. Cheers

[chazrt]

Ya, The Nana Uno isn't too shabby. I'm using the 60 twin currently.

[vannel]

Looks awesome. Not sure if I got a lemon set but my Starlitz is really of poor quality. The led strips are starting to drop only after 1-2 weeks and the unit came with some scratches and chipped edges.

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[seihakou]

What the retail price for nana uno?


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[marle]

Your tanksetup already looks awesome. i would choose the Nana over Starlitz due to the lighting specs that TS has mentioned. Nana maybe abit pricier though.

Thanks for the information. Didn't realize this before..

" The major difference of the Nana to the Starlitz is that while the Starlitz uses 5 strips of LEDs (2 yellow/ 3 white), the Uno has 30 individual LED nodes arranged in 3 by 10."

[Henlek]

chazrt: I think we both made the right choice in this

vannel: Totally agree with you. I didn't dare to put forth your words because I don't own the Starlitz, I only held it at GC. It put me off a little. When I saw the Nana, eh, this is different, more solid..., feels like a better buy.

seihakou: 150, I would say its very expensive but I cannot resist myself, sigh...

marle: Thank you! I think the price is almost the same. Sidetrack: ***sneak preview of what is to come***




I forgot to mention that the underside of the Nano LEDs is covered seamlessly with very clear plastic, resistant to water splashes. The brand name "nana" on the side appears to illuminate when the lights are on, plus 1, I like it.

I have allowed the lights to be on for 24hours to try out, very little heat. My only gripe is that the plug head is pretty hot to the touch... hope it last.

[Urban Aquaria]

Thanks for the review, very informative.

I was also considering these lights recently for 1ft cube tank setup too, between the Starlitz and Nana lights, the Nana definitely has a much better build quality.

My consideration was whether to get 1 set of Nana (30 x 0.5W LED) or 2 x sets of the new generation Up Aqua Z-Series Z-10 (2 x 16 x 0.5W). Since both work out to similar LED wattage and spectrum... i guess the choice would depend on aesthetics (Nana has the nice acrylic stand) vs flexibility/cost (2 x Z-Series units combined still cost less overall and i have the option to position each unit to and fro to adjust coverage + stagger their photo periods with separate timers).

Decisions, decisions...

[seihakou]

Henlek: wow really expensive. For the feel and looks it worth it.

Sorry guys to side track how would stagger two lights timing help the tank


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[Urban Aquaria]

Hi urban aquaria, I will suggest that u might want to consider going for the ada aquasky design look alike as it will give a generally more minimalistic look. Additionally, as the lights are placed higher, your plants might grow out of the water to reach out to the lights giving the scape a better feel.

Those are very good points... i do like the fact that the lights are raised higher up so although the intensity is reduced slightly, there is still good light spread and its much easier to access the tank without needing to shift the lights, and as you mentioned it can allow for emergent growth from stem plants that break the water surface too. Definitely worth considering from the viewpoint of an aquascape design.

[Urban Aquaria]

Sorry guys to side track how would stagger two lights timing help the tank

Staggering the light timings of multiple lightsets is one of the methods to gradually increase and decrease the light intensity in stages during the photoperiod... so for example, you can time the front lightset on for first 2 hours, both lightsets on for middle 4 hours, then back lightset on for last 2 hours. Its abit like simulating how the sun crosses the sky (with a mid-day direct blast of strong sun overhead), sort of like the dawn to dusk effect of a normal day. It also allows users options to switch light intensity according to plant growth, so if need more light, then both sets on, if need less light then only one set on.

The effect isn't as gradual as lights with in-built programmable dimmers though (which are usually only available in the more expensive high-end light models like the MaxSpect Razor), but at least its possible to have some rudimentary control to simulate the effect just by using multiple lightsets and plug timers. Only problem is it takes up more plug space and more wires twisting around.

Whether staggered light timings help plants grow better is subjective though, but its interesting to experiment abit and see the effects.

[Henlek]

Marle's thoughts on minimalistic look was my primary attraction to the Nana (or the original beauty $Aquasky$) . And yes access to the tank was so much easier given the height that it sits on the tank. Very easy to slide up and down to give way too. UA also has a logical point, one can easily buy 2 x Up Aqua Pro Z series and expect spare change. And can stagger lighting, good idea!! I would have most probably bought the Up Aqua 30cm have I not seen the Nana. And I actually liked the super slim profile when I saw the Pro Z sitting on UA's tank.

I would like to add another perspective or consideration as to what light design to choose; how high or how low do you place your tank?

I mean, my nano tank is placed below my knee level, so the light design must be as minimalist as possible, else I would be looking down at a big rectangular light blocking the view. At least the Nana light gives me minimum obstruction, minimum material and of course the feels good looks good factor. If my tank was at regular chest level, possibly a Pro Z will be very good enough. If my tank was near eye level, any money spent on aesthetics would be just a big waste. Just my thoughts when I was debating myself what to get...