No, it's because MH isn't spectrum controllable - other than swapping a bulb or a ballast.
Kessil Club
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No, it's because MH isn't spectrum controllable - other than swapping a bulb or a ballast.
ElementalJ
New member
You didn't. People have a tendency to get up in arms about the choices that they make for lighting ever their recess times it's almost as if it's brand loyalty sometimes. I happen to believe it it's a matter of personal preference that if the light fixture itself is designed to produce the spectrum the corals need for health then you're good when it comes to Castle they have locked in the blue spectrums so that we don't have to fool with it
I run a Kessil, have for 2+ years and have no complaints. I'm simply trying to further my understanding of it all. I see a lot of mixed opinions on the Kessil (well, and every other light, haha.) so want to try to fully understand for my own peace of mind.
I get that you're saying all reef light is in the blue spectrum. I guess maybe I'm equating the 25% color to say...running all blue+ or actinic bulbs in a T5 fixture. Not many people do that, in order to achieve a fuller spectrum reportedly. So that's probably where my struggle is to comprehend the possibility of decent growth rate at that percentage.
You follow where I'm coming from?
I would say it is less blue than all blue+ but I don't know what it would be compared to something else. Maybe closer to 20k?
I can't really comment on growth at different spectrums except that my hammer coral is growing faster since I added T5s, which may be from spectrum, intensity or better diffusion.
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It is a very small difference , I asked someone to test for me and was surprised by the results. Your eye is very poorly calibrated to test par and is many more times sensitive to the green in the cool white leds in the white channel. Human eyes work more like lux meters.
Doesn't really matter. The PUR is higher. Our eyes are bad at seeing the blue spectrum. Best with green. Also, I wouldn't change your color % rapidly. Your coral probably won't like it.
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I'm not necessarily intending to change it at this point. I just turned it to 25% from the 55% I currently run to see what the difference was momentarily. It's back where it's always been. No decision made on changing my settings.
But, I've found this an interesting conversation and feel I've learned something.
Rick's Reef
New member
Hello all,
Looking for some feedback and advice. I am building a new 60x24x24 mixed reef (thinking acros but then also some LPS). I have pretty much decided on a Kessil/T5 mix based on what I have read on RC as well as researching other sources. My previous tank was MH only and therefore pretty simple and straight forward, but I struggled with heat (living in Phoenix).
I am really torn between 2 options:
1) 3 Kessil 360w’s with 4 T5’s. The 360’s would be mounted about 18” apart left to right.
2) 2 Kessil AP700’s with 4 T5’s
The 360’s will be considerably cheaper and will integrate with Apex. I am not really into all of the spectrum adjustments and planning to focus on intensity primarily, so the AP700 app tuning features are not a big draw for me. On the other hand, the AP700 will have 4 pucks instead of 3 lighting the tank so the coverage should be better, but again at considerably higher cost.
I am leaning toward the 360’s but is there a glaring concern you can see with this strategy? Also, any thoughts about 360N versus 360W? Initially based on the spread needed I was thinking the 360N’s would actually work, but I am not seeing much benefit versus the downside risk of some shading between the 3 lights (which should be offset by the T5’s).
Thanks,
Rick
Looking for some feedback and advice. I am building a new 60x24x24 mixed reef (thinking acros but then also some LPS). I have pretty much decided on a Kessil/T5 mix based on what I have read on RC as well as researching other sources. My previous tank was MH only and therefore pretty simple and straight forward, but I struggled with heat (living in Phoenix).
I am really torn between 2 options:
1) 3 Kessil 360w’s with 4 T5’s. The 360’s would be mounted about 18” apart left to right.
2) 2 Kessil AP700’s with 4 T5’s
The 360’s will be considerably cheaper and will integrate with Apex. I am not really into all of the spectrum adjustments and planning to focus on intensity primarily, so the AP700 app tuning features are not a big draw for me. On the other hand, the AP700 will have 4 pucks instead of 3 lighting the tank so the coverage should be better, but again at considerably higher cost.
I am leaning toward the 360’s but is there a glaring concern you can see with this strategy? Also, any thoughts about 360N versus 360W? Initially based on the spread needed I was thinking the 360N’s would actually work, but I am not seeing much benefit versus the downside risk of some shading between the 3 lights (which should be offset by the T5’s).
Thanks,
Rick
In terms of par the 3 360s won't be close to the 2 700s. I realize u are supplementing with t5 but to get the same effect you will really need to crank them up. Also I have same size tank and needed 4 360s to avoid shadows. I switched to 2 700s and am much happier.
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You need W if you are only using 3. The coverage is more even with the W as well. The AP700 produces more PAR than 2 A360WE but I don't like the controllability being limited to a mobile app. People were having problems with the software too. I don't know if this is still the case.
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Rick's Reef
New member
Thor2j,
I don't suppose you have pictures with the 360w's and then with the AP700's you could share?
Thanks,
Rick
I don't suppose you have pictures with the 360w's and then with the AP700's you could share?
Thanks,
Rick
ElementalJ
New member
They're really pretty easy to repair once you get the correct component to replace.
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Oh, but I do.....Thor2j,
I don't suppose you have pictures with the 360w's and then with the AP700's you could share?
Thanks,
Rick
This was before I had 4 360s
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Rick's Reef
New member
Thank you, Thor. What was the intensity on the 360's?
Those pictures look truly night and day. If it wasn't obvious from my first post I really wanted to go with the 360's. But your pictures really have me second guessing.
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Those pictures look truly night and day. If it wasn't obvious from my first post I really wanted to go with the 360's. But your pictures really have me second guessing.
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