T5's, Kessil, Maxspect

[illuminata]

Hi All,

I just wanted to post some pictures of the lighting I went through in the last two years. This is for reference for those that want to see a few setups over an active tank (57g Illuminata). I feel it would have helped me when I was deciding on my lights :spin1:

I'm currently using the Maxspect Razor. It's been only a few days but everything seems to like it.

6xT5's (first couple days after my 12g to 57g transfer - very dull brightness):

Single Kessil a360w - 90%/90% (not enough coverage IMO - had to rearrange some rocks to accommodate):

Dual Kessil a360w - 60%/80% & 60%/80% (I really liked this setup, coverage was amazing but seemed a bit overkill?):

Maxspect Razor 160w 16k - 85%/95% (I lost some coverage on the sides but I really like the color for some reason, think its the purple.. NOTE: Rock work and coral moved due to a move):

 

[dsmooth]

I just switch from T5 to the same razor two weeks ago and love it do far. How high do you have them hanging. .looks great.

 

[rimless75g]

Looks great, thanks for providing the different type of light fixtures. I like the razor. I might need to upgrade mine.

 

[gone fishin]

FWIW I have been using the razors for about a year now and I like them.

 

[illuminata]

I just switch from T5 to the same razor two weeks ago and love it do far. How high do you have them hanging. .looks great.

Thanks! I think its about 7" maybe 7"1/2.. I started around 6" but had to move it higher since I was getting too many dark spots on the sides.

 

[illuminata]

Looks great, thanks for providing the different type of light fixtures. I like the razor. I might need to upgrade mine.

What kind if lighting are you running now?

 

[illuminata]

FWIW I have been using the razors for about a year now and I like them.

May I ask what your settings are? I see people running 0%/1% for moonlights but they seem too bright for me so I do 0%/0%

 

[Kies1]

I have been running a 300 watt razor since December. Love this light. Switched from a 6 bulb t5 never looked back. I have been running mine at blue 90 and white 55 for a bit now at full intensity and really like the look.

 

[gone fishin]

sure here they are.

08:00 0 1
09:00 40 70
10:00 70 100
14:00 75 100
18:00 50 75
22:00 0 1

 

[moondoggy4]

Anybody see the new 15 k light?

Thanks for the pictures.

 

[gone fishin]

I have not seen one in use yet. Kind of curious about it.

 

[balz3352]

Why the switch from the kessil to razor?

 

[Bpb]

Both look and function great. I just love the look of dual kessils though. You'll likely get much faster growth from the maxspect lights though

 

[illuminata]

Why the switch from the kessil to razor?

I wanted something different and something I can program. Didn't really like that the kessil's were a straight off to on. It also helped that I really like the sleek look of the razor!

 

[Bpb]

I wanted something different and something I can program. Didn't really like that the kessil's were a straight off to on. It also helped that I really like the sleek look of the razor!

I really hope by saying "wanted something you can program" and "kessils are just straight on/off" you actually mean without having to buy a separate controller. The a360 and a160 series are all apex controllable as well as controllable with kessils own separate spectral controller. They can be dimmed and ramped with both color and intensity...They haven't been just on/off for a couple years now

 

[illuminata]

I really hope by saying "wanted something you can program" and "kessils are just straight on/off" you actually mean without having to buy a separate controller. The a360 and a160 series are all apex controllable as well as controllable with kessils own separate spectral controller. They can be dimmed and ramped with both color and intensity...They haven't been just on/off for a couple years now

Yep, thats what I meant! I didn't want to purchase another unit for the controlling part. It was just easier for an all in one system for me.

 

[AdamNC]

Here's the results of a Maxspect R420R over a SPS dominant 29 gallon tank for a year now. Everything in the tank started as a 1"-2" frag. Really hard to get the 2 blue corals (Cali Tort and Blue Tenuis) to show good on an iPhone, but they are center up top.

Lighting is as follows

TP1 08:00 Ch1 0% Ch2 0%
TP2 09:30 Ch1 40% Ch2 65%
TP3 11:30 Ch1 65% Ch2 90%
TP4 18:30 Ch1 65% Ch2 90%
TP5 20:30 Ch1 40% Ch2 65%
TP6 22:00 Ch1 0% Ch2 0%

 

[balz3352]

Well that makes sense

 

[Bmplank86]

I love my maxspect razor. I bought the upgraded 120 optics

 

[Kies1]

I love my maxspect razor. I bought the upgraded 120 optics

Do you like the change over to the 120 degree optics, what differences do you notice, thinking about doing this as well