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

anthjbell · 09/07/2016, 10:45 AM

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!

shred5 · 09/07/2016, 11:00 AM

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.

anthjbell · 09/07/2016, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shred5

How deep?

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by shred5

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

Ah, I was afraid of that.

shred5 · 09/07/2016, 01:01 PM

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.

09/07/2016, 10:45 AM	#1
anthjbell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 16	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!

09/07/2016, 11:00 AM	#2
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	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. __________________ David Polzin

09/07/2016, 01:01 PM	#4
shred5 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Waukesha , WI Posts: 4,998	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. __________________ David Polzin Last edited by shred5; 09/07/2016 at 01:33 PM.