Kessils for a 210...

[ZenAqua]

So the general consensus I get is that people prefer AI Hydras and Ecotech Radions...but I still want to try out these damn Kessils. They look too cool.

For a 210 (6' x 2' x 30'') I'm thinking of going with three of the A360NE Tuna Blues. I plan to hang from the ceiling with the kit. A couple questions for people with Kessil experience:

Will this be enough penetration to grow mostly softies and some lps?

I will want to buy the linking cables and controller for maximum usage of these lights, correct?

 

[ca1ore]

I am using the Kessils over my 265. Assuming standard dimensions, yours is the same tank with one foot less of length. I will say that I do not use Kessil as my sole lights, though they are my main lights. I supplement with a pair of reefbreeders photon lights to provide a bit more uniform coverage. While I love the look of the Kessils (no lights look better IMO), as a point source, they do suffer from shading problems, particularly as your corals grow.

So, with the two photons as a starting point, I replaced my trio of MH 250w DE lights, with three 360WE tuna blue lights. It is unnecessary, IME, to go with the NE; the WE do punch all the way down to the sand (though I do hang mine only about 8" above the water surface). The Kessils replaced the MH just fine, but I ultimately felt that there was too much shading. This is mainly a 'my tank' problem with pretty heavy SPS growth, so I ultimately added three 160WE to use as target lighting.

I also use a pair of the 160WE over a 26" tall tank as the only lighting. Have had no issues with softies or LPS, and the tank looks great.

Big Kessil fan, just in case you couldn't tell.

 

[Scorpius]

Contact sleif. He runs 10 of them on his setup. I prefer to use one Kessil A360 series per foot of tank if you're into growing those sticks. :lol:

 

[rappyfly]

with softy and LPS, i think three is on the marginal side of the coverage. I have 6 360w on my 5 feet tank and as corals grow toward the water surface, they shadow itself and other corals. I am planning running T5 to fix this problem and keeping kessils in the center.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24327736&postcount=1490

 

[ZenAqua]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!! Very helpful. Glad there's some Kessil fans out there!

I think I'll start with the 3, knowing that adding more 360s, adding target Kessils, or adding different supplemental fixtures will likely be a necessity later on.

What's the difference between the WE and NE?

 

[ZenAqua]

Oh got it... Wide Angle vs Narrow. I'm thinking WE will be best then, as pointed out by ca1ore...thanks!