Single Kessil A360WE over a 24" cube - shading concern?
 

I'm starting up slowly and have an A360WE over my relatively new-to-me 24" cube. At this point I just have a few small SPS frags and a RBTA. I plan on continuing to grow SPS, with a primary interest in Acropora spp.

It's about 6" off of the surface of the water. Should I be concerned about shading with this single light source? I also have a cheap blue LED strip as a moonlight which runs during the day as well, but doubt it contributes much to PAR.

I can certainly add another A360 if that would be the best longterm solution. I would really appreciate any inpupts / thoughts!

I have access to a PAR meter - I should probably take some measurements!

How deep? The problem with Kessils is they are a single puck of lighting and have real bad shading, they have plenty of par and great spectrum. This really is only a issue with sps because they do not move and the light does not move. When small there is not much of a issue. Softies will move and sway so this is not a issue. If tank is shallow enough I would go maybe two a160we on each side so you light both sides of the coral.. I run a360 and use a160 for fill.

Two puck fixtures still have shading issue because the puck really are not very far apart but it not as bad.

The tank is 24" deep but I only really expect to keep SPS in the top 12".

Ah, I was afraid of that.

Do not get me wrong Kessils are great fixtures, I use them and they are fantastic for led, they just need more fixtures, but it is also the reason they are cheaper.