Kessil 360wes for a 55 gallon?

[kbh]

Hi everyone I'm looking at getting two Kessil 360s for a new 55 gallon tank and am wondering if that would be sufficient lighting for sps or clams? I've been trying to decide between led or T5 and keep coming back around to the kessils. Any thoughts on if that'll be good?

 

[mpierce]

2 would be fine, however depending on rockwork etc there can be some shading issues with the kessil. Personally with a narrow 4 foot tank like that I would be more likely to go with 3, or 2 a160we and a 360 in the middle. However the center brace becomes an issue. There is a whole thread here that the subject gets beat to death, fanboys and haters.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2474225

 

[Wesus]

Kessil a360w for 4 feet narrow tank is not best choice IMO. To cover whole length you have to install them 8-10" above water level and you are going to have a lot of light spillage in front and back

 

[madweazl]

Definitely go with the narrow vs wide for a 12" width tank. I have two 360WEs on a standard 75g and they are working pretty well but if I didnt have a center brace, I'd be running three.

 

[kbh]

Any thoughts on a different light system to use? I am building a custom stand and top for the tank, my only thing im not willing to consider is MH due to the heat generated lol. It has to be a closed top as well. so do you think T5s might be better for this setup? also, with making a custom stand could i remove that brace?

 

[mpierce]

You can't just take the center brace out but you could replace it with a piece of acrylic. I did this on a previous tank. Cut it out and left "tabs" on each side so I could attach the acrylic piece with some nylon hardware. I also glued it for good measure. I like LED lighting systems personally so I would go kessil or look at other options - radion, ai, reefbreeders (budget option) etc. However a 4 bulb t5 system would work really well on a 55. There are plenty of T5HO fixtures with individual reflectors that can be had inexpensive - the sun blaze fixtures come to mind. You can also retrofit a kit in a canopy, bulk reef supply sells MIRO 4 retro kits. I really like look of 2 blue plus and 2 coral plus bulbs for a 4 bulb t5. Then if you want to add a little shimmer and pop you can always add a strip of blue LEDs.

As a final thought, you could look at 4 A160WE and put 2 on each side of the brace. I would imagine you would have plenty of light to cook anything.

 

[kbh]

So its sounding like T5s might be the best option? Cost isnt a big problem the main thing im just wanting some certainty on is that a four T5 system or 2 Kessils is enough light in a 20" deep tank for sps and clams. Sorry if i sound like a bit of a broken record about this its just a large investment I want to get "right". I know its a subjective topic lol.

 

[mandarin_goby]

I have a clam on the sand bed in my 75 with 2 Kessils. I believe a 55 and 75 are the same height.

 

[mpierce]

So its sounding like T5s might be the best option? Cost isnt a big problem the main thing im just wanting some certainty on is that a four T5 system or 2 Kessils is enough light in a 20" deep tank for sps and clams. Sorry if i sound like a bit of a broken record about this its just a large investment I want to get "right". I know its a subjective topic lol.

Subjective indeed. If I were in your spot I would run 4 160WE about 4-5" off the surface - 2 on each side of the brace spaced 8" from each other. Or a 4 bulb T5. Pick your poison ha. Either system has shown it will grow corals, individual results vary.

With a new tank it is going to be a series of ups and downs and I wouldn't make any real changes to lighting (other than acclimation) for at least a year. It will likely take that long for the tank to "mature" and then you can really start evaluating what is or isn't working. Also a lot of people want to jump on the lights as a reason things aren't going well, but without proper water chemistry it doesn't matter.