Is the a160 too much for the Fluval spec 5? I was about to order one today. Also what type of corals do you have?
Kessil Club
- Thread starter Zacktosterone
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Is the a160 too much for the Fluval spec 5? I was about to order one today. Also what type of corals do you have?
Joesfiddy:
I've found where there was a 250 watt MH you need 2 Kessils to achieve about the same brightness. Not to say 1 can't get the job done growing things ( I've always liked the par 2 put out) but I've always used 2 in place of 1 MH for growth and asthetics. 2 in a 2' x 2' area will also greatly reduce shadowing. Unfortunately you're doubling the cost.
I've found where there was a 250 watt MH you need 2 Kessils to achieve about the same brightness. Not to say 1 can't get the job done growing things ( I've always liked the par 2 put out) but I've always used 2 in place of 1 MH for growth and asthetics. 2 in a 2' x 2' area will also greatly reduce shadowing. Unfortunately you're doubling the cost.
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Tcook
Premium Member
There was a thread comparing cost/electrical consumption between Kessil and MH. The ROI wasn't really there. However this did not include other cost savings. In my case, I changed fron 2 x 250 watt MH to 4 x a360 (500 watt to about 300). The difference was that my 1/3 hp chiller went from running all the time to really never running. You do need more Kessils to "get around" rockwork obstructions compaired to MH
debincalif
New member
Ok, so now I'm sold on the Kessil. It was suggested that I could use a 160 or 360N, but I've decided to go with the A360WE and the gooseneck mount and ditch the hood on my cube.
Next question - I have a Reef Keeper Lite on the tank (bought the whole set-up used), but I haven't quite figured it out yet. It does have the separate light dimmer module. Will this work to control the Kessil?
Next question - I have a Reef Keeper Lite on the tank (bought the whole set-up used), but I haven't quite figured it out yet. It does have the separate light dimmer module. Will this work to control the Kessil?
As long as you have the DA alc module you are good. Just need the 3.5 mm cable that is sold for the connection between the alc and light. Some people will buy a regular 3.5 mm audio cable and cut and splice it into the alc cable. Either way works. You'll be able to control both color and intensity. The diy way is a little less expensive.
debincalif
New member
Great! That saves me from forking over another $100 for the Kessil controller. Thanks!
zoomonster
New member
I'll have to figure mine out but there is one inherent benefit which is being dimmable. Before my 4x80w T5's came on and ran about 12-13 hours a day. 3x250w MH came on at noon and varied between 6-8hrs a day. I had switchable eballasts and in heat of summer would sometimes drop power down to 175w manually. I avoided using a chiller but heat was always a problem (not just in tank) other than a few cooler months of the year. Another issue I had was power. My house has circuits out the rear but for some idiotic reason they put half the main living area and part of my sons bedroom on one 20a circuit. It really didn't manifest until the 800w (draws about 7a according to Apex) heater started coming on during the day, my son was home on weekends and I had my home entertainment system on. Then it was click, lights out. I could have just upgraded the circuit to 30a but like I said heat was also an issue.
So between the 3 hour morning and 3 hour night ramp to/from (currently) 70% power there will be savings. Also what most don't consider is the effect and added cost of effectively having a 1100w space heater running all day fighting the AC. Add to that humidity from accelerated evaporation. It didn't help that my main room is large and has a vaulted ceiling.
Chrisjbarry
New member
3 - 360we on a 48" 108 gallon
View attachment 308514
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4corners
New member
For best growth and extension and overall health. Wondering if anyone has any good reference points for specific corals @ specific depths and settings? For example: ( a few of mine)
Kessil a360we running @1/3 output mounted 9"above waterline
Frogspawn @18" depth -Great color, growth, and extension
Neon trumpet coral@ 16" depth - great color, poor growth/ recession , poor extension
Long polyped toadstoo l@ 8" depth -great color ,good growth and extension
This is assuming all other coral needs are met.
Kessil a360we running @1/3 output mounted 9"above waterline
Frogspawn @18" depth -Great color, growth, and extension
Neon trumpet coral@ 16" depth - great color, poor growth/ recession , poor extension
Long polyped toadstoo l@ 8" depth -great color ,good growth and extension
This is assuming all other coral needs are met.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Starting intensity until it gets to your highest intensity.
Ok, and does it cross reference the quick set programming in order to know when to turn on/shut off and peak intensity?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
The acclimation mode is based off your quick set.
Tcook
Premium Member
This would be valuable information to collect. Are your distances from the water surface or the Kessil? Also you would want to include what values for color and intensity you are using. Par values would be nice as well.
4corners
New member
First: Thank You
Distances- were written as distance from water line (we should call height) for the light and the coral (we should call depth). Combined (we call the total distance). We need both don't we?
Color/ intensity-color I didn't really list. (kessil claims constant output accross spectrum)not entirely sure what this means so I left color out. Intensity I listed as 1/3 output. We would need more than thirds as units of output. Does the kessil controller have this (units of measure)? I'm thinking hard about getting one.
Par - So few have meters and now I'm hearing more about Pur (the usable portion). I don't know
Important part -Assuming all other coral needs are met.
I've been lurking hear for 2 years and saw this kessil club post and was amazed how many people have them. Great Thread!
Anybody else got any specific data?
Same here and I run them less than 50%.
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