If You Are Curious - 3 Kessil A360W-E Fixtures on a 10 Foot Tank

[nuxx]

Just in case anyone was curious, just put 3 Kessil A360W-E fixtures on my new tank this afternoon.

Only the middle fixture is on the Apex right now, still waiting on my stereo connection cables.

They are at about 95% intensity and sitting 11" off of the water.

Coverage is pretty good, just a bit dim in the upper far corners. 4 A360W-E fixtures would be perfect. I'll probably coast along like this until I get a decent amount of coral in the tank.

http://s16.postimg.org/cytqiksh1/470_3_kessil_a360w_e.jpg

[UlyssesG305]

Looks great I have 3 A350's on my 72" 150g.

[triggreef]

Just a suggestion fwiw... I saw a thread a while back that made a lot of sense to me and I set mine up with it in mind. with leds pointing straight down you lose a lot of light on the sides. If you had 4 fixtures, think about putting one close to the side angled down toward the middle. Then evenly space the other two toward the middle. This way you get just enough light to keep everything happy on the sided of the tank, and less shadowing on the middle of the tank as well.

[nuxx]

Video :)

Most the noise is from a QT tank I have setup nearby with noisy HOB Skimmer and Filter.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zlZlxJo6koU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[davocean]

Looks nice, black zip ties on those wires might clean it up even more.

[nuxx]

Looks nice, black zip ties on those wires might clean it up even more.

Waiting for the control cables to show up.

Then it will be tidy :)

[bif24701]

Look real good.

[jpitch]

10ft is GEORGOUS

[d2mini]

That is an awesome tank.
But I would want at least 2 more of those kessils. You can see the spot lighting.
Even 3 MH bulbs in high end reflectors wouldn't be enough light for a 10ft tank.

[nuxx]

That is an awesome tank.
But I would want at least 2 more of those kessils. You can see the spot lighting.
Even 3 MH bulbs in high end reflectors wouldn't be enough light for a 10ft tank.

Yeah I will add another sooner than later. Then see if I need a 5th.

Would rather spend the money on fish and coral right now :)

Huge fish order being placing a 2-3 weeks :spin2:

My wife wouldn't be too happy if I bought another light as well haha :thumbdown

[Aquatron]

Great size:) Enjoyed seeing the shimmer they put off thanks for sharing!

[phillrodrigo]

Love the aquascape. Looks perfect for placing corals

[nuxx]

Love the aquascape. Looks perfect for placing corals

Thanks can't wait to get some in there :)

First batch of QT fish are going in tomorrow!

[Cryptobiologist]

daaaamn son those things pack a punch! retail price for 1?

[nuxx]

daaaamn son those things pack a punch! retail price for 1?

Retail used to be $450, just dropped to $399.

Can find a bit cheaper if you look/ask around :)

[atreis]

Is that a cat ladder on the left?

[nuxx]

Is that a cat ladder on the left?

Haha no, just chairs holding up WP40/60 controllers temporally.

[anbosu]

I have to admit I'm impressed you're getting even that much coverage from 3 spotlights. Have you taken any par readings?

[nuxx]

I have to admit I'm impressed you're getting even that much coverage from 3 spotlights. Have you taken any par readings?

Not yet, local reef club has one. Just need to track it down :)

[Ckyuv]

Beautiful set up! I got 3 of these on my tank as well :)

[mkj]

+1 from me :dance: Wish I could put something like that in my high-rise condo, but could you imagine the damage if that broke. I would have to move to a secluded island. Actually that doesn't sound too bad as long as I have some snorkel gear. I'd have a real nice tank then.

[Scorpius]

I love your tank. I cannot wait to purchase my Kessil A360we. My cube aquarium will look sharp with it!!!

[Reefvet]

Yeah I will add another sooner than later. Then see if I need a 5th.


It's good that you're going to wait because I think you'll be surprised what 3 will do. The column of light is very obvious and everyone seems to think there's no light outside the very directional light, but there is. I get good growth with one A350W every 2 feet and with A360WE every 3 feet.

Monitis, Acros, you name it. The issues of shadows and lack of light overlap is very exaggerated by those who've never used them.

On one tank I put A150W Ocean blues on as an 'actinic' supplement instead of going backwards and using T5s. It works wonderfully, enhanching color and growth. I run the A150Ws for an hour before and after the A350Ws and SPS are showing great growth and color.

FWIW my tanks are all 24" deep and I run lights 6-7 inches off the surface. There's plenty of coverage and great PAR.

[nuxx]

It's good that you're going to wait because I think you'll be surprised what 3 will do. The column of light is very obvious and everyone seems to think there's no light outside the very directional light, but there is. I get good growth with one A350W every 2 feet and with A360WE every 3 feet.

Monitis, Acros, you name it. The issues of shadows and lack of light overlap is very exaggerated by those who've never used them.

On one tank I put A150W Ocean blues on as an 'actinic' supplement instead of going backwards and using T5s. It works wonderfully, enhanching color and growth. I run the A150Ws for an hour before and after the A350Ws and SPS are showing great growth and color.

FWIW my tanks are all 24" deep and I run lights 6-7 inches off the surface. There's plenty of coverage and great PAR.

Thanks for the info :)

I'll see what the par is and how corals like it!

[GTboosted]

Thats one sick set up

[nuxx]

Thanks for the nice words guys :)

[3drockz]

Awesome tank setup :)

[MrClam]

Thanks for the info. Your tank is absolutely stunning. Im planning an 8ft tank and was having a hard time determining if 3 A360W would be enough light. Seems like they should be plenty.

[Octobot]

Not yet, local reef club has one. Just need to track it down :)

I'm interested in this as well. I'm considering the same kessil units spaced proportionately similar to your configuration

Love the size of that tank btw :)

[lluv24]

Very nice ;-). Also great work on the rock placement as we'll!!!!!!!!

[nuxx]

I'm interested in this as well. I'm considering the same kessil units spaced proportionately similar to your configuration

Love the size of that tank btw :)

Just sent out a message to the local reefer who has one :)

The same person that helped get my tank in the house and then on to the stand :)

[Braves95]

Updates? Pro's, Cons etc...I am considering these for my 240

[vitodog]

Forget about the lights (which look great BTW) that aquascape is awesome. If you don't mind, who made the tank? What kind of rock are you using and how about some pics underneath the tank.

[nuxx]

Updates? Pro's, Cons etc...I am considering these for my 240

No cons so far. Had one of the lights come with a ticking noise, like a fan hitting some wire or something. Kessil sent me a replacement and just asked that I used the box to ship the other back when I received the replacement. Coralline is starting to grow, I haven't tried coral yet. Waiting till we get back from vacation in a week.

Forget about the lights (which look great BTW) that aquascape is awesome. If you don't mind, who made the tank? What kind of rock are you using and how about some pics underneath the tank.

Jeff at http://www.pimpedoutaquariums.com built it, nothing but great things to say about him.

The rock is Marco Rock, about 500 lbs or so. I acid bathed all of it, then had it cure for about 4 months at a local macro algae farm. Ended up just stacking it, had bought epoxy, rods, glue, etc... but didn't use any of it.

Here's a pic of the full setup minus equipment before I started everything. Will try to get a pic later on of everything.

http://s30.postimg.org/b9iheda7l/final_in_place.jpg

[nuxx]

Here's a pic from underneath... sorry it's so ugly.

http://s29.postimg.org/fv863hxqv/sump_bottom.jpg

Going to skin it after I setup the auto water change system.

Sump goes:
Drains
Skimmer + Rubble
Fuge area with chaeto
Some left over rock
Returns and ATO/Water Change Drain

Having issues growing chaeto... guess not enough nutrients in the water yet...

[vitodog]

Very nice, clean. Great job.

[yudruln8]

wow those lights look great I think I may have to buy a few

[Bhuamani32]

Very helpful as I was looking into kessils also for my 90

[nuxx]

wow those lights look great I think I may have to buy a few

I'll be adding two more ;)

Really needs a bit more than 3...

[sushimi]

Awesome setup. 10ft my dream size. I'm using the same 360 lights. 1 on my 46 bow but yours seem so much brighter? I get great coral growth but curious of your color settings to make it look so bright white. It could just be an illusion since your live rock is still very white as mine is coraline covered. Im looking to get a 125 gal soon may try 2 360 or 360 in the middle and 150 ocean blue for ea side.

Thanks, Kurt

[nuxx]

Awesome setup. 10ft my dream size. I'm using the same 360 lights. 1 on my 46 bow but yours seem so much brighter? I get great coral growth but curious of your color settings to make it look so bright white. It could just be an illusion since your live rock is still very white as mine is coraline covered. Im looking to get a 125 gal soon may try 2 360 or 360 in the middle and 150 ocean blue for ea side.

Thanks, Kurt

Hey Kurt,

That was when I was running the lights at 90% color and 100% power.

I've scaled the color back to around 70% now, thought the white didn't look too great.

Also added a 4th A360WE and will probably add two more to eliminate shadowing.

[sushimi]

Ok thanks Nuxx. I just got my kessil spectral controller. Its made things very nice and much easier as I dont have a reef controller like apex.

[naeem]

Hi,
Impressive system and lighting, are there any updates, looking forward reading and pictures.
Thanks.
Regards.

[QuitClowning]

Freaking clean looking tank! Although it was a thread revival by Naeem

[nuxx]

Thanks guys :)

More what it looks like today:

http://s13.postimg.org/3vmfx5rw7/470_4_kessils.jpg


Will be adding two more A360WEs soon for 6 on the tank.

Still haven't got around to skinning the stand. Seems like I'm always messing with something...

[nuxx]

Finally up to 6 Kessil A360WEs on the tank.

Here is a comparison of 4 vs 6:

http://s13.postimg.org/3kw6m4zdz/11112015_kessils_original.jpg
http://s2.postimg.org/htj5cw0nd/11112015_6_kessils_on.jpg


Video:

OBjgLmPoq2A

[Daniel62]

For a 10 gallon reef tank (video title) that thing sure looks big :) lol very nice

[nuxx]

For a 10 gallon reef tank (video title) that thing sure looks big :) lol very nice

HAHA lol, just fixed that.

We measure gallons different here in Texas ;)