Light question

M

mizzoumed02

Member
So I'm going to ask the locals a question just because when I ask question in the regular area I never seem to get much feed back.
So I have a 60 cube, I've got 1 360WE over it now. I'm seeing some shading that I don't like but the corals have good PE and color. So my question is.... Do I add a second 360WE or go with the Al Hydra 52HD??

Just looking for a little help with this..

Thanks
 
Now that I have moved away from the cube style reef tank, I now see that it is so much easier to be happy with my lighting lol. Lighting my cube was such a giant pain in the butt. It had to make everything in the tank look amazing while also looking nice and clean above, while also remaining somewhat programmable to the other items I already own.
add all this up and its a giant pain in the butt, at least it was for me.
I will most likely not own another cube, unless I have a full reef room under it, then maybe.
 
Scubareefman said:
I will most likely not own another cube, unless I have a full reef room under it, then maybe.
Click to expand...

Well. I have a small house so the cube works. I also have everything plumbed into the basement so I have a "fish room". I just want to find the best light option for the cube without buying all of them. :cool:
 
Is there a way that you can fit in a t5 fixture to go along with the Kessil? T5's and LED compliment each other well and the more diffused light of a t5 will eliminate a lot of your shadows. Even with 2 Kessil's you will be hard pressed to eliminate shadows due to the way that most cubes are aquascaped.
 
I agree. Accent T-5's would be your best bet. Most of the better quality LED light systems are more focused. They give better shimmer but also create shaded areas. T-5's you loose the shimmer but gain better even lighting with less shadowing. This is a preference though. I prefer T-5's but I do not get the shimmer. The ocean is illuminated by the sun which is a Pin point light. Natural reefs have a lot of shadowing so a LED light mimics the lighting in nature. So it comes down to preference. However I personally think that a LED T-5 light combination gives you the best of both worlds. Check out Bulk Reef Supplies videos on lighting for the new BRS160 series. Great information there.
 
mizzoumed02 said:
Well. I have a small house so the cube works. I also have everything plumbed into the basement so I have a "fish room". I just want to find the best light option for the cube without buying all of them. :cool:
Click to expand...

I had ok luck when I was running my single center kessil with a set of those cheaper all antic marineland waterproof led bars they sell at petco for like $20's.I put one on the front and back behind the rim (lip). they are just bright enough to break up the deeper casted shadows and add more areas for soft coral that need very little light. They didn't do much for pop or glow compared to the 420-460 from the kessil but they did help the DT look better. I ended up removing them and going to a MH light for a year to see if I like it. I'm back to led's :d
 
there is a really good video about this subject on the brs youtube channel. ill get a link up in a min.
 
I have a 93 cube , and run 8 bulb ati fixture, im very happy w the light , i was thinking about adding a kessil just to make colors pop up a bit more , but i dont want to buy it and not like it then b stuck w an extra equipment i dont need
 
Thanks for all the options and input. I think what i"m going to do is try two of the Kessil's and see how it goes. I like the AI 52HD's but it sounds like there are a few bugs to work out of them still. I like the color the Kassil's give my SPS, just don't get a lot of growth. I may change over the the 360N to get a deeper penetration of light, but we will see. I'm hoping the over lapping of the two will help give stronger PAR in the center where the high light SPS's are at.
 
Did you ever add that second light? I am sorta in the same boat, I have a 66 gallon rimless, and thought a single 360 Kessil would be adequate. Now, I am thinking I need a second one of these.
 
I run 2 Kessil a360we's on a mixed 55 gal.
My stylo's and pocci's do quite well as do the lps and softies.



IMG_4746_zpspuawyjvo.jpg


Having 2 allows for less shading and you keep your color and shimmer "pop".
 
Its a standard 55gal...48 x 12 x 20
For your tank an a700 would work well, but as you already have a 360 it would be cheaper just to add another 360...and with two you eliminate much of shading. The Hydra is a good light too, but it doesn't have the Kessil shimmer.
 
Last edited:
Ha, yes it is. ;) David Gilmore fan.
(had to leave out the "t" in Comforably because it would post like:
"ComfortablyNum
b")

If you get the second Kessil, consider getting the spectral controller... but don't bother buying the Kessil link cable for $20 or whatever it is. You can get the same cable for $4 at Walmart or any audio source.
One light would do on your aquarium if you are only going to keep softies/lps, etc....but if you want acro's or other bright-light-loving corals, I would recommend a 2nd one. They are the best lights I've ever used and I've been reefing since 1989.

Cheers. -Tim
 
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