Kessil Club

[stingeragent]

I've just upgraded to a 40 breeder and need new lights. I've been looking at using 2 160's. Would that be sufficient for lps / softies? 2 of the 360's is out of the question for me as at that price I'd just buy a longer T5 fixture which is what I have now. Could I get away with 2 and get a 3rd if its absolutely necessary a few months down the road? I would at some point like to dabble in a SPS. Would 2 cut it for that or would I need 3? Would 3 of the 160's be enough for SPS. Thanks.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by stingeragent

I've just upgraded to a 40 breeder and need new lights. I've been looking at using 2 160's. Would that be sufficient for lps / softies? 2 of the 360's is out of the question for me as at that price I'd just buy a longer T5 fixture which is what I have now. Could I get away with 2 and get a 3rd if its absolutely necessary a few months down the road? I would at some point like to dabble in a SPS. Would 2 cut it for that or would I need 3? Would 3 of the 160's be enough for SPS. Thanks.

Two will work fine. Definitely three if you want to do SPS.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by JWClark

Been running my kessils for a month or so now and my corals seem to have all responded positively to them. They are all running in a line on my 125--the two 360s in the middle, 1ft off center (2ft between) and a 160 on each end, on center between the tank end and the 360.

My question is this: I seem to have some real shadowing in the front of the rock and the coral specimens (the display side)--especially on the ends. What is the best way to solve this? Was thinking of a true lumen strip across the front but worried it won't be strong enough.

Kessils are mounted w/ goosenecks and 90 degree adaptors about 1ft above the water--and there is a glass top. My other alternative is to run small strips front to back--I'm worried about making shadows if I do this. Also thought about a t-bulb but shadowing could be an issue unless I hung above the kessils--can't seem to find a skinny one bulb fixture.

Thoughts?

I'm thinking the part of your lids is causing your shadowing. I would run the strip parallel in stead of perpendicular. Or lower the Kessils to 8 inches above the water.

[stingeragent]

Thanks for the info. I think if I go with the kessils I will get 2 for now. I'm gonna wait a couple weeks to see some reviews on the AI prime's. Only thing I like about those is you don't have to buy a seperate controller.

[JWClark]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

I'm thinking the part of your lids is causing your shadowing. I would run the strip parallel in stead of perpendicular. Or lower the Kessils to 8 inches above the water.

No, I removed all the parts from the lid--just glass plates. The shadow is from the corals growing forward or rock overhangs in front of the centerline. I wouldn't mind but the part of the coral that is shaded is not growing and faces the room--hence on the display side.

[cmsurfr22]

i just swapped out my 250 MH with a Kessil 360W on my 36'W x 18'L x 18'H tank. I had to switch out my light because my ballast died and need something to put over my tank. i'm leaving for the next 5 days.

What color/intensity should i set it to? i don't want to shock my corals but i also don't want to starve them from light either.

[Tcook]

I would run the intensity at 40% and color between 20-30%. Hang the light at least 8-10" above the water surface.

[michelo]

One question please...a 150w sky blue,what color and intesity of 360w is this?...color30% intensity30%???

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by michelo

One question please...a 150w sky blue,what color and intesity of 360w is this?...color30% intensity30%???

Depends since they changed the color matrix. They can achieve the same color but the wattage is different. At least that's how they explained it to me.

[zachfishman]

Anybody have a A160 on a 20" cube? Is it enough or do I need an A350/360?

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by zachfishman

Anybody have a A160 on a 20" cube? Is it enough or do I need an A350/360?

You will loose some spread on the sides considering it has an 18x18 spread. Good for softies and LPS but if your going SPS then I'd go with the 360WE.

[mjc0760]

I'm working on a new 90g build and pondering the gazillion options for lighting. The tank is 48 x 18 x 24. I think I've narrowed it down to two Radion XR30w G3 PROs or 2 to 4 Kessils. With either option I'm planning to use an Apex controller and over time, I want to include SPS corals. An important factor - my wife does NOT like the Kessil gooseneck (I'm not a fan either due to lack of good cable mgt), so I would likely mount the Kessils in my canopy.

My questions:
1) Mounting in the canopy means putting them only 5 or 6 inches above the tank (glass top)... I know this will effect coverage, but is it okay to mount them this close?
2) Would two A360WE's provide sufficient coverage / penetration or would I need 4 if they are mounted so low?
3) What about 2 (or 4, if needed) A160WE's?

I should add that I do like the look of the Radions with the RMS (as does my wife) and that choice would give me the option of eliminating the canopy.

[oreo57]

Technically, not that is needed but why no PAR data nor spectrum??
I find that curious..

[oblio]

Originally Posted by mjc0760

I'm working on a new 90g build and pondering the gazillion options for lighting. The tank is 48 x 18 x 24. I think I've narrowed it down to two Radion XR30w G3 PROs or 2 to 4 Kessils. With either option I'm planning to use an Apex controller and over time, I want to include SPS corals. An important factor - my wife does NOT like the Kessil gooseneck (I'm not a fan either due to lack of good cable mgt), so I would likely mount the Kessils in my canopy.

My questions:
1) Mounting in the canopy means putting them only 5 or 6 inches above the tank (glass top)... I know this will effect coverage, but is it okay to mount them this close?
2) Would two A360WE's provide sufficient coverage / penetration or would I need 4 if they are mounted so low?
3) What about 2 (or 4, if needed) A160WE's?

I should add that I do like the look of the Radions with the RMS (as does my wife) and that choice would give me the option of eliminating the canopy.

Question 1 = I mounted mine on top of the canopy for the exact reason of them being too close, plus it keeps what little heat they create outside the tank. I can send you some pictures if it would help, wasn't hard to do, took about 2 hours to complete the modification to the hood.

Question 2 = I have this exact set up, 90gal oak hood, 2 360 WE's. 2 is enough to do anything you want.

Question 3 = To my understanding you would need 4, and you would have the same issues with distance to the water surface. I have no experience with the 160's so I could be off base on this.

Regards,

[mjc0760]

Thanks oblio! If I use a canopy, it would be the stock one that came with the Aqueon RR 90 gallon. I'm having a custom stand built but not a new canopy. I'm thinking I could add a rack of some sort that would span the 48" width of the canopy and hold the A360WE's either using the built in hooks or maybe the 90 degree adapters from Kessil. I could also add a little height to it and get the lights further away from the tank. A picture of your setup would be helpful!

Are you growing corals under your 2 A360's? If so, what type?

[REEFBUILDER1]

How many would i need over a 40 g breeder

[jtgrimes]

Originally Posted by REEFBUILDER1

How many would i need over a 40 g breeder

You would only need one a360

[Mr. Comer]

With regret I may have to leave the Kessil club. I may end up selling my A350w's and try something different Today I was looking back on my pictures of my tank over the pasts year and a half and realized I've had almost no growth. Not one new LPS growth (but no deaths), leathers are about the same size, xenia have grown a little, GSP is dying off, toadstool hasn't hasn't opened since I bought it several months ago, lost the little sps I did have, polys/zoas have multiplied a little, I've lost 4 anemones, no loss in fish, and my torch finally split for the first time after having it a year.

Water parameters are always within normal range for a mixed tank and I have good flow. I've always run an ULN but a couple months ago I started to feed a variety of foods a couple times of day to my fish it make the water a little more nutrient rich. Unfortunately nothing has changed.

My favorite LFS has ATI and Radion pro's on display (they also offer Kessil but have none on display and don't sell many) and colors were popping. They corals I bought from them looked way better with their lighting.

I ran MH for and CF's for years and had great growth. I thought about adding T5's to the Kessil but my tank is topless and I don't know how I would add them and keep things looking classy.

I've never had just T5 and may give a 4 or 6 bulb a try. The Radion's are nice but I'm just running a softie tank and don't want to spend $1500 on a pair of lights.

I know a lot of people love their Kessil's and I feel like I'm missing something? Any words of wisdom or experience?

Happy reefing

[ahfu25]

Wassup fellow reefers!! I just got a innovative marine fusion 20. I want to get sps in the future. Should I get 2 160's or one 360?

[minus9]

Mr. Comer,
I have a 23" x 12" x 14" nano with a single 160 over it and I'm seeing growth every week. I mostly have sps, but have an acan lord and duncan near the bottom right. I started the tank in Jan. of this year and added my first frags in early Feb. The acan and duncan were single polyp/head frags and both now have multiple polyps/heads growing. My monti cap was devastated by nudi's about a month ago and lost most of its tissue, but now has recovered fully and growing like crazy.
I'm running my kessil on a 12hr cycle at 85% intensity and 60% color (via apex). I only dose for alkalinity (soda carbonate solution) and do weekly w/c with RC. I only have one ORA neon goby, but I feed him/her every day and make sure the duncan and acan get a little scrap each time. I also feed reef chili twice a week at night. I do nothing for nutrient export other than using a poly filter cloth in the overflow, which gets changed twice a week. No skimmer, no gfo's, etc.... I will probably add another 160, mostly because I want a sps dominant tank and want to minimize the shadowing.
I'm not sure if this helps, but at least you can see what's possible with these lights.

[oblio]

Mr Comer,
In a nut shell, if the water is good then it's something with the light setup. What is you photoperiod, intensity/color numbers?.
I struggled with the Kessils until I changed "how" I used them. Now things are way better.

[Mr. Comer]

Hi oblio,
I tried 50% blue-50% white, 50% blue-25% white, 75% blue-50% white, and now I'm at 100% blue-50% white. Each time I slowly adjust my setting over a week and leave it for a month or two. My photo period is 8 hours and with the a350w is all on or off so no ramping. One LFS that visited uses kessils for all their displays and sells a ton. They run thier 360we's at 100% intensity and 80% color and recommend their customers do the same.

Maybe I can get these lights figured out. I know people are getting good growth and color. I'm open to any ideas.

[REEFBUILDER1]

Originally Posted by jtgrimes

You would only need one a360

1 A360 is enough for sps on middle top and softies on the edges???
How high would i have to hang it?
Thank You

[oseymour]

Originally Posted by REEFBUILDER1

1 A360 is enough for sps on middle top and softies on the edges???

How high would i have to hang it?

Thank You

I'm currently doing a 50 which is the same dimensions just 2 inches higher than the 40 breeder. I'm running 2 a360. One on each side of the center brace.

I don't think 1 is enough, If you hang it close, you are going to get a big shadow with the center brace and the higher you go you'll lose power.

[itzonlithai]

I'd also recommend two if you're trying to keep sps