Kessil AP 700 Owners Gather Here!

[sixpackgarage]

I just pulled the trigger on the Aruba T5 retro kit and 1xCoral+ and 1xBlue+.

I still am not sure how I am going to mount these since I just have the AP700 on the mounting arms right now, but I'm sure I can figure something out...

My only concern is adjusting the tank to the new light -- any recommendations? I have three factors here. The first is the addition of the T5 lights, the second is that with the T5s I will no longer need the slight diffusion lenses to chill the shimmer out and the third is that I can lower the AP700 with the T5s. I'm gonna probably have to set the AP700 to at least half of where it is right now to start out with, I'd think?

Yep, not a bad idea. The diffusers dampen about 100 PAR, so just taking those off will make a huge difference. I'd knock the AP peak down to around 40 when you add the T5s and pull the diffusion lenses. Also, I assume your T5 kit is not dimmable, so you'll be driving those bulbs at 100% and that's probably another 150ish PAR.


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[ktownhero]

So my Aruba Sun retrofit kit arrived damage and I had to return it. I'm kind of glad though because it turns out that I really didn't like it. It was kind of ugly and why is that thing so heavy?

Anyway, I'm glad that happened because I've now found the ultimate alternative. I had an old Sunlight Supply 24" Sunblaze single T5HO at home from an old planted tank. Out of curiosity I put it over my tank and I couldn't believe the amount of light it added to the tank. I decided to check out their site to see what they have available today and they now have fixtures that are even better than the SunBlaze, are smaller, and are BLACK. I'm ordering 2 of them @ 36" to put on the front and back of my AP700.

https://www.sunlightsupply.com/shop...t-lighting/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-fixtures

If you aren't familiar with that company, I highly recommend you check them out. The fixtures are great and light weight and the reflectors are unreal.

PS - If I am going to put 1 T5 bulb on each side of my AP700 should I use the same bulb? Or can I still go with the Blue+ and Coral+ combo?

EDIT: Link where you can actually buy one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._title_srh_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[ktownhero]

Man, it's been crickets in here lately...

 

[vhuang168]

It's what happens when a product is reliable n delivers. People have nothing to complain about.

On another note, little birdies told me there will be something new in the AP line. No, the AP700 is not going to be replaced.


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[bif24701]

It's what happens when a product is reliable n delivers. People have nothing to complain about.

On another note, little birdies told me there will be something new in the AP line. No, the AP700 is not going to be replaced.


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Yea, It looks like Kessil finally came through and got though annoying hiccups fixed. My tank is looking really well the past week, I should post some pictures tonight.


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[reef3r]

I just want to chime in here, I've updated the firmware and the app, followed all of kessils directions, tried resetting everything, and my light will still randomly turn on for 1-2 seconds when it's supposed to be off. Kessil offered to replace it under warranty for me (covering both ways shipping) and my new unit should arrive tomorrow. To be honest the light turning on never really bothered me but it does seem like it's happening more often lately and I'm glad kessil is committed to their products. They said they haven't encountered this problem after the most recent patch so they'd like to test my unit. Even though it's a hassle for me to send it back, I'm glad that they care enough and stand behind their products. Hopefully there's no issues with my new one.

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[mfaso24]

Here's my most recent FTS [emoji16]


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[Thor2j]

I just want to chime in here, I've updated the firmware and the app, followed all of kessils directions, tried resetting everything, and my light will still randomly turn on for 1-2 seconds when it's supposed to be off. Kessil offered to replace it under warranty for me (covering both ways shipping) and my new unit should arrive tomorrow. To be honest the light turning on never really bothered me but it does seem like it's happening more often lately and I'm glad kessil is committed to their products. They said they haven't encountered this problem after the most recent patch so they'd like to test my unit. Even though it's a hassle for me to send it back, I'm glad that they care enough and stand behind their products. Hopefully there's no issues with my new one.

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One of mine does same thing

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[bif24701]

Here are my latest photos as promised.

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[Scorpius]

^No offense, but look at all the shadowing you already have.

 

[bif24701]

Kessil AP 700 Owners Gather Here!

^No offense, but look at all the shadowing you already have.

Ultra diffused lighting like T5 only creates a flat and artificial appearance I can not stand. Just don't like it. If I did, I would not have purchased single point lighting lol.

Also digital photographs make the shadowing appear more harsh that it truly is.

Did we have this conversation, or maybe that was someone else.


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[bif24701]

Almost forgot the complete lack of contrast with a T5 only display, not for me.


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[iiismet]

I just want to chime in here, I've updated the firmware and the app, followed all of kessils directions, tried resetting everything, and my light will still randomly turn on for 1-2 seconds when it's supposed to be off. Kessil offered to replace it under warranty for me (covering both ways shipping) and my new unit should arrive tomorrow. To be honest the light turning on never really bothered me but it does seem like it's happening more often lately and I'm glad kessil is committed to their products. They said they haven't encountered this problem after the most recent patch so they'd like to test my unit. Even though it's a hassle for me to send it back, I'm glad that they care enough and stand behind their products. Hopefully there's no issues with my new one.

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Mine flicked on last night around 2am for a couple seconds, not sure if it's been happening a lot or not as I'm usually asleep by 11, but that's the first time I've seen it act weird. I do have the updated firmware and app.

 

[ktownhero]

Sun Blasters arrived today. I'm telling you all, this company is a sleeper. These fixtures are slim with great reflectors, weigh very little and daisy chain together (up to 8). IPics don't do justice to how sleek they are... They go perfectly with the AP700. I'm putting them on the front and back... Just need my coral+ bulbs to arrive now . These came with 6400k bulbs because they market to plant growers.

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[bif24701]

Sun Blasters arrived today. I'm telling you all, this company is a sleeper. These fixtures are slim with great reflectors, weigh very little and daisy chain together (up to 8). IPics don't do justice to how sleek they are... They go perfectly with the AP700. I'm putting them on the front and back... Just need my coral+ bulbs to arrive now . These came with 6400k bulbs because they market to plant growers.

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I would have gone with them if they had a 60"


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[ktownhero]

Got them installed and it worked out better than expected! It turns out the screws for the mounting arms are long enough to hold a D ring so I just used a short length of black chain to hang them. I only have the stock 6500k bulbs for now so ignore the color temp but here are some pics.

PS - These are very light fixtures and that's why this works. I wouldn't try this with something heavy...

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[smatter]

Ultra diffused lighting like T5 only creates a flat and artificial appearance I can not stand. Just don't like it. If I did, I would not have purchased single point lighting lol.

Also digital photographs make the shadowing appear more harsh that it truly is.

Did we have this conversation, or maybe that was someone else.


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I totally agree with you. Do people think that there are no shadows in the ocean? :deadhorse1:

 

[ktownhero]

I would have gone with them if they had a 60"


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So just these 2 T5s are throwing an insane amount of light. Makes the tank so much more viewable. I'm a little concerned about acclimating to them. How did you go about it ? I want to get to a point where they are running 6-8 hours during the day with just the AP700 handling the 4 - 6 hours of lower light and ramping.

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[bif24701]

I reduced the Kessils from 70% to 50% and T5s on for only 4 hours to start. After about a month now I'm back to 70% and T5s on for 8 hours.

I also think they do a good job of illumination, especially the dark center of my tank due to the center brace.


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[smatter]

I'd be so disappointed if I had to bolt on some additional lighting and totally ruin the sleek aesthetic of my new light fixture.