Lighting advice

Nanook · 12/08/2020, 05:18 PM

Howdy,

I’m converting my 375 gallon tank back to saltwater. The open area is 22”x88”, wanting soft corals and LPS. I was considering 5 Kessil 360 or 5 Reefbreeders Photon V2+ 24” fixtures.

Here is the layout of the top of the tank and one from the front. Tank is 30” deep and 30” tall. If Kessils, I was thinking 5 in a straight row across. If Reefbreeders 24”, I was thinking two horizontal on each side and one horizontal in front of the overflow. Or, I could do all 5 perpendicular and waste some light on the 6”x30” overflow. Any insights appreciated!

cody6766 · 12/10/2020, 07:33 PM

I had 2 Kessil A350s over a 120g and I think it was a little lacking in spread. They had no trouble punching 2' down, but the spread was pretty thin. I added 4 T5s to the mix (2 on either side of the Kessils) and it was much better, both in color and light spread.

I ran the same 2 close together on my 60g and it was great as far as spread goes. I found the warmer tones lacking without the T5 help, plus they lack some of the florescent pop other fixtures have.

I'm not sure how much better the A360s are. I head they improved the color with the new chips, and I know the color/intensity balance knobs are better than the old 350s. The A360w will give you a good deal more spread, but you'll compromise penetration ability. I definitely recommend a few T5 bulbs to round out the color and even the light spread if you go with Kessil

moondoggy4 · 12/10/2020, 11:31 PM

Kessil's are good I have two 360 and they have a wide throw, but the problem with Kessil's are the fans, if they go out you need a new light, Maybe Kessil should call their lights fans for sale with leds.

Looking back I would go with Reef Breeders. PS my wife hates the glare from my 360's in her eyes.

Vinny Kreyling · 12/11/2020, 11:35 AM

Nanook, I run Reefbreeder's. They are great but not for a 30" depth.
@ 7" above water level I get 130-160 @ 24" depth and loose roughly 100 Par every 5"
According to BRS they should be hung pretty high. Lighting is so subjective & confounding. I have gone through too many already.
There are threads here about the new Phillips II led & ATI Stratton that have great spread. Mitras & Radions too, all top notch with prices to match.
Good luck - let us know where you wind up.

supperfish · 12/14/2020, 09:18 PM

The Kessil A360 may be best. Have anyone tried the Relassy 800W, I find it here https://portlandaquarium.net/led-light-for-reef-tank/

Vinny Kreyling · 12/15/2020, 09:17 AM

The Realassy light is 2 colors with no controller, manually operated.
An inexpensive light that says "plant light" if you dig further.
There are no specs on the led's themselves.

12/08/2020, 05:18 PM	#1
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Lighting advice Howdy, I’m converting my 375 gallon tank back to saltwater. The open area is 22”x88”, wanting soft corals and LPS. I was considering 5 Kessil 360 or 5 Reefbreeders Photon V2+ 24” fixtures. Here is the layout of the top of the tank and one from the front. Tank is 30” deep and 30” tall. If Kessils, I was thinking 5 in a straight row across. If Reefbreeders 24”, I was thinking two horizontal on each side and one horizontal in front of the overflow. Or, I could do all 5 perpendicular and waste some light on the 6”x30” overflow. Any insights appreciated! __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

12/10/2020, 07:33 PM	#2
cody6766 Super Best Friends! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,772	I had 2 Kessil A350s over a 120g and I think it was a little lacking in spread. They had no trouble punching 2' down, but the spread was pretty thin. I added 4 T5s to the mix (2 on either side of the Kessils) and it was much better, both in color and light spread. I ran the same 2 close together on my 60g and it was great as far as spread goes. I found the warmer tones lacking without the T5 help, plus they lack some of the florescent pop other fixtures have. I'm not sure how much better the A360s are. I head they improved the color with the new chips, and I know the color/intensity balance knobs are better than the old 350s. The A360w will give you a good deal more spread, but you'll compromise penetration ability. I definitely recommend a few T5 bulbs to round out the color and even the light spread if you go with Kessil __________________ "The moral is the chosen, not the forced; the understood, not the obeyed. The moral is the rational, and reason accepts no commandments." - John Galt Current Tank Info: Cadlights 60G Arisan II mixed reef with 2x MP40s and 24" ATI

12/11/2020, 11:35 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Nanook, I run Reefbreeder's. They are great but not for a 30" depth. @ 7" above water level I get 130-160 @ 24" depth and loose roughly 100 Par every 5" According to BRS they should be hung pretty high. Lighting is so subjective & confounding. I have gone through too many already. There are threads here about the new Phillips II led & ATI Stratton that have great spread. Mitras & Radions too, all top notch with prices to match. Good luck - let us know where you wind up. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/14/2020, 09:18 PM	#5
supperfish Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 9	The Kessil A360 may be best. Have anyone tried the Relassy 800W, I find it here https://portlandaquarium.net/led-light-for-reef-tank/ __________________ Hi!

12/15/2020, 09:17 AM	#6
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	The Realassy light is 2 colors with no controller, manually operated. An inexpensive light that says "plant light" if you dig further. There are no specs on the led's themselves. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/10/2020, 11:31 PM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Kessil's are good I have two 360 and they have a wide throw, but the problem with Kessil's are the fans, if they go out you need a new light, Maybe Kessil should call their lights fans for sale with leds. Looking back I would go with Reef Breeders. PS my wife hates the glare from my 360's in her eyes.