Kessils and sps

[rovster]

I'm going to,share my experience just to add to the conversation, although my setup is unlike what the OP and most of you are talking about. I have 2 kessil 150's (20k) that I run mainly as supplements and moodlighting, LOL! I run them for 9 hrs and run a 250 radium halide for 4 hrs. This is over a 30 gallon.

I think the "dim looking" comment is a fair assessment. Honestly, I think all LEDs are somewhat dim. Actually, that's what I like about them. I like the shadows and shimmer. It makes it all look that much more interesting, as opposed to blown out with light. When I first put the halide on, I was blown away at how much more light there appeared to be compared to the DIY full spectrum led it replaced.

Anyway, I honestly believe you can have a successful tank with the newer high powered units. I will say that the shimmer and overall appearance is amazing. To play it safe, I don't think supplementing with t5 is a bad idea. That said, I truly believe you do need more units than most recommend with LEDs.

 

[Bpb]

So would you say that 2-a360WE would not be enough for a 55 or 75 gallon?

 

[psykobowler]

So would you say that 2-a360WE would not be enough for a 55 or 75 gallon?

How tall is a 55gallon? Two should be enough with added 54watt t5s across the length of the tank. There has got to be youtube video that has kessils on a 55 or 75.

 

[psykobowler]

I'm going to,share my experience just to add to the conversation, although my setup is unlike what the OP and most of you are talking about. I have 2 kessil 150's (20k) that I run mainly as supplements and moodlighting, LOL! I run them for 9 hrs and run a 250 radium halide for 4 hrs. This is over a 30 gallon.

I think the "dim looking" comment is a fair assessment. Honestly, I think all LEDs are somewhat dim. Actually, that's what I like about them. I like the shadows and shimmer. It makes it all look that much more interesting, as opposed to blown out with light. When I first put the halide on, I was blown away at how much more light there appeared to be compared to the DIY full spectrum led it replaced.

Anyway, I honestly believe you can have a successful tank with the newer high powered units. I will say that the shimmer and overall appearance is amazing. To play it safe, I don't think supplementing with t5 is a bad idea. That said, I truly believe you do need more units than most recommend with LEDs.

I am running the ai hydra 52s for 8 hours and the 400watt radiums for 4 hours daily. I plan to run kessils a360we series and 400watt radiums on my frag tank as well with similar photoperiod. I think we are in the same page. I no longer need to purchase vho super actinics or t5 supplements. I just need to buy radium bulbs and not a lot of it anymore.

 

[Ssteve]

I would think its not for a tank with a lot of sps. I'm running two on a 36" tank and would add another if it was any more than 42-44" long, but I really think it all depends on the goals. Going off kessils recommendations they cover 24", so even by their standards two is on the outer limits for a 48" tank.

 

[tannersmith2000]

So would you say that 2-a360WE would not be enough for a 55 or 75 gallon?

Two 360WE would definitely be sufficient

 

[Hurricane Ivan]

I have 3 Kessil and primary glowing SPS. I use 2 A150W Sky Blues and 1 A360W @ 90%blue10% white. I really like the look of them and have had great coral growth. My tank doesn't do well with Softies but that's because I try to run a clean tank.

I'm fairly new to this forum and not sure how to upload pics, but will try.

 

[Hurricane Ivan]

I forgot to mention that My Tank is a 90 Gal Bowfront 48*18*28. I recently had a tank crash and lost a lot of SPS corals due to extremely low salinity levels and temp fluctuations.

 

[Hurricane Ivan]

Sorry for the crappy pics (iphone 5) this is 3 months of growth. I like them.

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[cdub1955]

single Kessil 360W over 38 IM

single Kessil 360W over 38 IM

Bpb

Maybe I can give you some feedback. I have a fully automated shallow reef tank that has the following dimensions: 4' x 3' x 8"

I have two Kessils 360W and 360WE over this tank. A couple weeks ago I had just one Kessil (360W) and it was great but had some shadowing so I got another and it was the 360WE model. I will post pics tonight of this tank. Here are some observations that I have noticed compared to three AI Vega Colors that I originally had over this tank.

The Kessils 360W/E are not a concentrated light source like my previous Vega Color fixtures. I disliked my Vegas. I seemed to burn my SPS and LPS no matter the intensity or how high above water level. It was frustrating and annoying.

Moving on

Since I made the transition to the Kessil 360W, my corals have regained their colors and are thriving. I have a mix of gorgonians, SPS, LPS, and zoas. It's a "frag" tank but looks more like a reef tank. The 360WE is 15% brighter so I have moved my SPS to this side of the tank. I have my Kessils positioned approx 10" above water level and I am running 100% intensity and at about 14-15K. The Kessils have a true UV spectrum that rivals none other.

I am getting full poly extension and EVERY single coral is thriving. I am not getting any burning whatsoever.

It's a very evenly distributed light source and works awesome on my shallow reef.

If the 360W were used on a deep tank, I couldn't give accurate advice as my tank is only 8" deep. Look for posted pics this evening

Tanner, I have a single 360W over a 38 gallon IM Tank. I will have a mix of SPS, and LPS in this tank. it looks good. My past experience is with 250 MH, and I wanted to try LED lights. I love the look of the Kessil, but can you give me your opinion on this light for SPS on this tank?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[tannersmith2000]

Tanner, I have a single 360W over a 38 gallon IM Tank. I will have a mix of SPS, and LPS in this tank. it looks good. My past experience is with 250 MH, and I wanted to try LED lights. I love the look of the Kessil, but can you give me your opinion on this light for SPS on this tank?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Chris

For a 38 gallon tank, I would think one Kessil 360W would be sufficient however you are getting one single penetrating light source which can cause shadowing. The Kessil 360W (now the 360WE) have a wide angel lens which spreads light out which covers more area but you will still have some shadowing.

If I were you and I could afford it, I would use two Kessils and position them both on either side of the tank, just inside of the sides of the tank. That way you will get two light sources from both the right and left positions which decreases shadowing tremendously.

But to answer your questions, yes my Kessil 360Ws are growing SPS corals nicely. I love them.

 

[tannersmith2000]

I just wanted to post some pictures of a few SPS corals under my Kessil 360W which hang over my 80 gallon shallow reef (8" shallow). I am having excellent growth and full polyp extension. Very happy with these lights over my shallow reef. I am using a crappy droid as a camera so the pictures do not do corals justice.





Acropora solitaryensis


Acropora tenius


Acropora hyacinthus

 

[Ripline]

What are your Kessil settings? I am running 2 A360W on deep blue 16" deep mixed sps and lps tank. I like the lights but have not seen much on how people have them dialed in.

 

[Ripline]

I just wanted to post some pictures of a few SPS corals under my Kessil 360W which hang over my 80 gallon shallow reef (8" shallow). I am having excellent growth and full polyp extension. Very happy with these lights over my shallow reef. I am using a crappy droid as a camera so the pictures do not do corals justice.



View attachment 263511

Acropora solitaryensis
View attachment 263512

Acropora tenius
View attachment 263521

Acropora hyacinthus
View attachment 263523

What are your Kessil settings? I am running 2 A360W on a deep blue 16" deep mixed reef sps and lps tank. I like the lights but have not seen much on how people have them dialed in.

 

[tannersmith2000]

What are your Kessil settings? I am running 2 A360W on deep blue 16" deep mixed sps and lps tank. I like the lights but have not seen much on how people have them dialed in.

Well my Kessils are approx 16" above water level. I have the color set at about 50% and at 80% intensity.

Does this answer your question?

I also have an Apex but I have not yet bought a Kessil cable for controlling intensity. They are either on or off with a digital timer.

 

[Ripline]

It does. I am controlling mine with the Apex. I am running them about 75% intensity and 40% on the spectrum side.
Thanks

 

[tannersmith2000]

It does. I am controlling mine with the Apex. I am running them about 75% intensity and 40% on the spectrum side.
Thanks

No problem

Post pics of your setup if you like

 

[Ripline]

Here are a couple. I am not the best picture taker

 

[tannersmith2000]

Here are a couple. I am not the best picture takerView attachment 263624View attachment 263625

Nice setup!

I have a duncan that looks identical to yours.

Very clean

 

[chaderic26]

I have 4 kessil a360n over my 220 tank (6ft long). I've been happy with them so far. I have had some issues with color but everything seems to be slowly coloring up. It's only been up about three months.

There's a little bit of shadowing but not to bad. I was thinking about maybe using a light mover if the colonies grow big enough.