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02/23/2014, 06:49 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 22
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Controller for Kessil A360w?
I just purchased two A360w led pendants, which I absolutely love. After doing some research, I can't really find much info on what controllers are compatible with this light. I know that Neptune's Apex controllers work great with the Kessils, however I'm not looking to spend quite that much. I'm basically just looking for a controller that will produce a dawn/dusk affect, having the lights gradually come on and turn off. Although the lunar phases and occasional lightning storm functions are pretty cool, I don't find them necessary. Any one know of any reasonably priced controllers compatible with my Kessils? Any help is greatly appreciated.
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03/09/2014, 11:16 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Oct 2013
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I'm going to follow, because I'm in the same boat. I like the features of the Apex but want to know what every bodies opinions are on cheaper controllers
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03/09/2014, 11:19 AM | #3 |
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Reef Angel perhaps? They're quite a bit cheaper than the Apex ($269 vs. $400+) but still kinda up there.
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Van Current tank: 7.5g Nano-Reef | Modified AquaClear50 | RapidLED Par38 bulb | 2x Koralia 240gph |
03/09/2014, 11:34 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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There's also the bluefish controller coming -
http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/33882...lerwhat-is-it/ (rbuilders dot com) /2014/01/10/bluefish-led-lighting-controller-inching-closer-reality Got to admit - it looks pretty sweet hardware and interface wise. But as far as I know they are still in testing, or at least the beta signup thing is still on their page. Expected cost is ~180US. |
03/09/2014, 02:36 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Denmark
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Can the aquatronica control them?
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03/09/2014, 02:40 PM | #6 |
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Location: Northern Minnesota
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I'm running mine off 2 channels on my Dim4, the other 2 channels control the DIY led filler lights.
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58 Oceanic soon to be 7' 210 Oceanic peninsula! Current Tank Info: 58rr Oceanic center flow |
03/10/2014, 07:57 PM | #7 |
Frag Swap Crusader!
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,538
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I really wish that Kessil Made their own Controller.
Kind of like the Ecoxotic Controller which is very very easy to use and only costs 50.00 vs. 500.00 for the Apex. |
03/16/2014, 01:31 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 22
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I really like the Bluefish controller however as previously stated, it is still in beta testing. I'm curious as to when it is going to be released to the consumer market. Although I did apply for a beta testing model.
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03/16/2014, 04:28 PM | #9 |
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Location: Gold Canyon
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The Bluefish controller looks pretty cool
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03/16/2014, 08:31 PM | #10 |
Frag Swap Crusader!
Join Date: Apr 2011
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That Bluefish is cool.
Says it is coming out this Month too. I wish it would control my A150's though. |
03/18/2014, 01:31 PM | #11 |
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Location: Charleston, SC
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Anyone know what the projected price of the bluefish is expected to be? Hopefully nowhere near as pricey as the apex
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03/18/2014, 01:41 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Posts: 1,338
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The typhoon controlloer from boost led might work, and it's only $55
http://www.boostled.com/product_p/typhon.htm |
03/18/2014, 03:51 PM | #13 |
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 22
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That typhoon controller looks more like a computer chip ha. Does it work like most other controllers, using outlets that you can individually control? Or do you need to be more tech savvy in order to set it up?
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03/18/2014, 04:28 PM | #14 | |
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Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
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Quote:
The typhoon is purpose built to control LED drivers, you wouldn't be able to connect anything else to it. |
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04/25/2014, 05:38 PM | #15 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 609
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I am looking at buying three Kessil A360WE for my 180. I will be keeping three E.Shine 60 watt CREE fixtures as supplementation. As for a controller, I have a ReefKeeper Lite. You can buy the Reef Keeper ALC (Advanced Light Controller) and Control Cable-Type 2, Part Number KA360C2 to connect them. My concern here is you can use it to control one light, but will it control more than one? See the quote below taken from the web site I am planning on buying from. Note the last sentence that starts: "When daisy-chained in series without an external controller". Am I misreading this? Are they saying the controller works with one fixture, and when daisy chained the master only works as a manual control knob setting to control the others?
Quote:
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Hobby Experience: Marine tanks for thirty years. Current Tanks: 180 gallon reef. 270 lbs live rock. SPS, LPS and softies. 3 Kessil A360W-E pendants and 2 Evergrow IT-5080 fixtures. |
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04/25/2014, 08:34 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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04/25/2014, 08:58 PM | #17 | |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
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Hobby Experience: Marine tanks for thirty years. Current Tanks: 180 gallon reef. 270 lbs live rock. SPS, LPS and softies. 3 Kessil A360W-E pendants and 2 Evergrow IT-5080 fixtures. |
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04/26/2014, 05:31 PM | #18 |
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Location: Oregon
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I just hooked my two new A360W's up with my reefkeeper Elite with ALC module. Works pretty slick! DimA does the intensity and DimB does color. Single control wire with slave wire to second fixture like Reefvet said. I'm interested to hear what color percentage people are running with the controller. I'm still playing but like the crisp look of 75% for right now.
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04/26/2014, 05:56 PM | #19 |
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04/26/2014, 08:52 PM | #20 |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the confirmation Billwill and Reefvet. I am stoked. Seeing as I wasn't convinced yesterday I sent an email to Kessil last night. I know I won't receive an answer until Monday, but all I needed was that assurance. It looks like I am going to go ahead with the Kessils in a week or so. Thanks again.
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Hobby Experience: Marine tanks for thirty years. Current Tanks: 180 gallon reef. 270 lbs live rock. SPS, LPS and softies. 3 Kessil A360W-E pendants and 2 Evergrow IT-5080 fixtures. |
05/07/2014, 10:36 PM | #21 | |
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Location: Flagstaff
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What size tank are you running? I have a 75 gallon now and am thinking 360W's
Quote:
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05/07/2014, 10:50 PM | #22 |
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oregon
Posts: 244
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I'm running a 90g. These lights look incredible. I'm running 90% intensity with 70% color. Highly recommend the W model.
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05/08/2014, 07:43 AM | #23 |
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I have a 180 tank and have left three E.Shine 60W CREE fixtures in to supplement my Kessil a360WEs I just got. I removed three E.Shine 108W 4Gs to make way for the Kessils. I am not sure if I should be starting the Kessils at 50% as people say I will burn my corals if I start at 100%. Seeing as I have removed 108 watt fixtures to make way for 90 watt fixtures I am not sure if this is required or not. So far at 50% I am not satisfied with the Kessils. I have tried setting them at 100% for a while and they aren't bad, but not as nice a color as I was getting before. I have them set at about 50% on the color wheel, my CREES are set at 100% royal blue and 30% white. Any higher on the white and it washes out the shimmer. I must admit that I do love that shimmer. Still tweaking my settings.
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Hobby Experience: Marine tanks for thirty years. Current Tanks: 180 gallon reef. 270 lbs live rock. SPS, LPS and softies. 3 Kessil A360W-E pendants and 2 Evergrow IT-5080 fixtures. |
05/08/2014, 07:33 PM | #24 |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northwest Indiana
Posts: 1,208
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Subscribed for the Blue Fish controller.
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05/13/2014, 01:31 PM | #25 |
Frag Swap Crusader!
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,538
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Kessil is Finally Coming Out with their Own Controller so you do not need to Spend 500.00 on an Apex or get a Blue Fish to Control your Kessils anymore.
Plus I am sure that there will be more Options with the Propietary Kessil Controller. Check it out. https://www.facebook.com/Kessil.LED |
Tags |
a370w controller, apex, kessil, neptune |
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