Kessil AP 700 Owners Gather Here!

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by RussC

Question on Acclimation Feature: If I click the acclimation icon at the bottom of my light program, does that activate the preprogrammed acclimation feature that reduces the intensity and then gradually ramps up over time? PS. First time trying to attach a pic using photobucket. Not sure what's gonna happen. http://<a href="http://s38.photobuck...[/IMG]</a>

Yes, but it's much too fast I think for most users. Most everyone finds they must increase there amount of nutrients in the system for best color and growth with this light. It does so well that the corals will easily starve with the high efficient light and low nutrients. I find that 5ppm NO3 and ~.03-.05 PO4 does well. You are welcome to experiment yourself.


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[ktownhero]

The Android app is so bad for this light, it still drives me crazy. I pulled the APK and decompiled it so I can try to figure out how to send commands to this light on my own. If I get some time, I can create a browser plugin or new app that works better. Such garbage lol.

[dimasv]

I have a plan to get 2 units for my 180g 6 ft tank, I am new to the hobby, but I see people I having lots of issues with this lights. Should I better consider another unit Radion or Hydra instead. I heard lots of also good things about kessil so not sure which one to pick.

[RussC]

I'm only two months into this. I chose this light because one AP700 covered my 48" tank. Its beautiful. The lighting is fantastic. And I have it 15" above the tank. I love the shimmer. I only have a few corals at the moment as I let my tank mature, but I've been very happy.

You control the light through their app that connects via the lamp's wifi. I do wish I could connect with my computer. But the app is simple.

[RedStangGA]

Originally Posted by dimasv

I have a plan to get 2 units for my 180g 6 ft tank, I am new to the hobby, but I see people I having lots of issues with this lights. Should I better consider another unit Radion or Hydra instead. I heard lots of also good things about kessil so not sure which one to pick.

The only issue with the lights is that the software was reportedly abysmal when they were first released. The quality of the lights are excellent as is Kessil's customer service. You'll see that some people will supplement them with T5's while others like them as is. I think what you'll find though is that the light more than adequately covers a 36"x24" area and can cover up to a 48"x24" area. Two should do great on your 180. I'll finally find out how 2 look on my 220 tomorrow

[acropora]

I recently installed four AP700's this summer and I have had no issues.

[ben310135]

What is the recommended light program for sps corals with the ap700 ?

[RussC]

Below is the exact quote from a Kessil customer service rep. I asked a very similar question.

Answer to question 2:
What type of corals is in your tank at the moment? 10-hour photo-period is best for most tanks. We usually recommend a 15" distance if you have a mixed reef and closer if you have more SPS dominated in your tank. It is difficult to provide the best lighting schedule since every tank has a different setup. However, we can offer a suggested starting schedule based on what is in your tank.

Answer to question 3:
Based on our Kessil Logic, (1) color spectrum is an aesthetic feature and colors are chosen based on your preferences having little impact and influence on the growth of your corals. Intensity setting is what you want to focus on. (2) The Kessil logic also provides a balanced power throughout the lighting spread which makes PAR ratings not an accurate measurement for our lights.

[ben310135]

I have a Ricordea, Golden Thumb (Euphyllia) Live Coral, Micromussa and Acropora. I have a 75-gallon tank. Right now the acro has been in there for 2 weeks. I just got the lights so whatever program I get I don't want to fry my coral either.

[RussC]

The highest intensity level I've been running my lights at this point, and I'm only two months in, is 50% for about 3 hours. My corals seem to like it but I've only got some zoas, leather and branched trumpet and branched hammer. Now, my lights are about 15" off the top of the tank because I intend to run a mixed reef. So when I put some SPS in there they will be at the top of my rocks, so they will be only 15" from the lights. I've noticed growth in both my hammer and leather. Not so certain about the trumpet. The zoas are pretty new, but I swear a got a polyp or two more already.

[ktownhero]

I went through all of the trouble to build a canopy with 2 T5s and now I'm starting to back off of the T5s in favor of the AP700-only.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by ktownhero

I went through all of the trouble to build a canopy with 2 T5s and now I'm starting to back off of the T5s in favor of the AP700-only.

I have my T5s on only while I'm at work. I don't like the look of the display as much when the T5s are on. Could be color choice of the bulbs but I think it's more the contrast and depth. T5s just look flat. I may just shut them down for a few weeks to see if they are worth keeping on the tank. My display can now handle full 100% for 8 hours, plus the T5s.


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[reefer31]

100%!!! Nice. I'm up to 38% from my last coral purchase. Going about 2-3% per week. I'm looking forward to hanging out at 50% for a bit as that is where I got the most growth.


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[dhalderman]

Any of you use the diffusers for the AP700? I heard this helps with shadowing, was considering trying these out on mine.
I have a 70 gallon deep, and keep the light about 10" from the water.
When it says "helps with sharp shadows" should I expect the diffusers to act more like a T5 or MH in that ill see less bleaching on the bottom side of corals that you sometimes see characteristic with LED?

[ktownhero]

Originally Posted by dhalderman

Any of you use the diffusers for the AP700? I heard this helps with shadowing, was considering trying these out on mine.
I have a 70 gallon deep, and keep the light about 10" from the water.
When it says "helps with sharp shadows" should I expect the diffusers to act more like a T5 or MH in that ill see less bleaching on the bottom side of corals that you sometimes see characteristic with LED?

I have the slight diffusers but don't use them any more. They soften the shimmer but get major if you buy them for sure.

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[dhalderman]

Does this mean I should expect better coverage though with the diffusers though?

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by dhalderman

Does this mean I should expect better coverage though with the diffusers though?

Coverage? As in larger area? No.


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[minus9]

BRS released a vid on the diffusers as part of their investigate series. Worth a watch and will give you all the info you need.


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[RussC]

I have read the diffusers only change par slightly and that most of the opinions seem to focus on the shimmer effect. The AP700 has a lot of shimmer. Some folks do not like that much shimmer and have used the diffusers to help reduce that. I'd have to see it in person to really tell if there is any significant or noticeable shimmer reduction. But from what I've read, people seem to think so. The videos are hard to tell. BRS offers some good ones. Youtube also has some.

[roni]

Really informative thread...I'm considering making the switch to LED and had a question about coverage versus light spill.

Would one ap700 mounted over a 48 x 24 x 20 T tank be enough coverage? Mixed reef with primarily SPS in upper 1/2 of water column. Would this cover the area when 8" above the water surface? My concern in this room is light spill.

I currently have an 8 bulb powermodule, which I love, but it's causing problems with light spill for our living room.

[iiismet]

Originally Posted by roni

Really informative thread...I'm considering making the switch to LED and had a question about coverage versus light spill.

Would one ap700 mounted over a 48 x 24 x 20 T tank be enough coverage? Mixed reef with primarily SPS in upper 1/2 of water column. Would this cover the area when 8" above the water surface? My concern in this room is light spill.

I currently have an 8 bulb powermodule, which I love, but it's causing problems with light spill for our living room.

at 8" no, youll have little light on the ends of your tank. i have mine mounted 16" on my 48x24x16

[reefer31]

I raised mine to 12” ( 2-ap700 over 48x24x24) and it has light spill. It was around 8” before and little to no spill over if I remember right.


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[roni]

Originally Posted by iiismet

at 8" no, youll have little light on the ends of your tank. i have mine mounted 16" on my 48x24x16

Thanks. How is your coverage with a single light? what do you predominantly keep?

Originally Posted by reefer31

I raised mine to 12” ( 2-ap700 over 48x24x24) and it has light spill. It was around 8” before and little to no spill over if I remember right.

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thanks, any reason you raised the light? why did you go with 2? was the coverage with one not enough? how do you have them staggered (end to end?)

[reefer31]

I went with two since I’m going dominant sps and they are parallel with the tank. I raised them to see if I could minimize hotspots as best I could, just a trial thing I may drop them back down again later but I kind of light them higher up so I can see I to the tank etc.


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[Thor2j]

Originally Posted by roni

Thanks. How is your coverage with a single light? what do you predominantly keep?



thanks, any reason you raised the light? why did you go with 2? was the coverage with one not enough? how do you have them staggered (end to end?)

I have 2 on a 60" tank. One would not be enough on a 48 if u wanted sps to any extent. If u did raise it high enough to get any kind of lighting to the edges , the bleed over front to back would be pretty bad .