Kessil A360WE are Some Awesome LEDs

PapaDragon · Sep 10, 2014

So about a week ago I switched from 3 250W MH to 3 Kessil A360WE over my 72X18X28 mixed reef tank and I couldn't be happier. I was considering Radions or Hydra 52's mainly because I thought those were the only true options for a real reefer. I was completely wrong. One of the mean reasons I was so interested in those other lights was the ability to control all those channels and the freedom to configure the lights exactly how they needed to be. There was only one problem, I have no idea how to properly set all these channels for proper growth or color for corals. I know I would drive myself crazy trying to configure them.

I wasn't even considering Kessil until I read a few post on here. The price was obviously appealing, the mount was cool looking, and I had the option to control them with my Apex. Well I couldn't be any happier with my decision. In the reviews I read everyone mentions the shimmer from the lights and now I can say from experience that it is crazy nice. The shimmer is like nothing I've ever seen. It looks just like diving off a shallow reef. The control with the Apex is simple and very easy to get set the way you want. My corals have great polyp extension and look amazing. I'll report how they are doing in a few weeks.

rs1831 · Sep 10, 2014

Could you post some pics?

PapaDragon · Sep 10, 2014

I'll post some tomorrow, but I only have my phone camera so it won't do them justice. Here are a few coral shots:

Jimbo662 · Sep 11, 2014

What did you set yours at? I've got mine at 63% intensity and 55% color. Thinking of dropping the color back to 50% to see what difference it makes with the color of the corals.

SaltwaterAq · Sep 11, 2014

Kessil's A360 are fantastic Reef lights.

PapaDragon · Sep 11, 2014

Jimbo662 said:
What did you set yours at? I've got mine at 63% intensity and 55% color. Thinking of dropping the color back to 50% to see what difference it makes with the color of the corals.

Mine are running 80% intensity and 50% color. Here is my Apex program:

Intensity Color

Ramp Duration 240 240

Start 14 0

End 80 50

Ramp Duration 1 1

Start 80 50

End 80 50

Ramp Duration 180 180

Start 80 50

End 12 0

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 10:01 to 14:00 Then Clr_Sunrise
If Time 14:01 to 19:00 Then Clr_Daytime
If Time 19:01 to 22:00 Then Clr_Sunset

Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 10:01 to 14:00 Then Int_Sunrise
If Time 14:01 to 19:00 Then Int_Daytime
If Time 19:01 to 22:00 Then Int_Sunset

PapaDragon · Sep 11, 2014

rs1831 said:
Could you post some pics?

rs1831 · Sep 11, 2014

Great pics! Thank you for sharing. What size tank do you have?

rayn · Sep 11, 2014

Couldn't agree more! I just snagged a W, but need to add one probably two more WE. I have only played with mine so far, but the shimmer is fantastic.

Controlling with the apex, they are still daisy chained together?

rboutin111 · Sep 11, 2014

I've had the Kessil A360WE on my 29 gallon cube for a year now. I've found that my corals are growing very slowly. Of course I am very new to reefing. Started in January 2012. So I don't have much experience in coral growth. One major issue I've found with the Kessil is a single point of light source creating a lot of shadows. Branching SPS are very hard to keep. I currently have one and it has to be placed right in the center of the light to limit the amount of shadows. At the same time I love the shimmer and shadows of the fish. I've just ordered a Radion to see if I get different growth before I upgrade in about a year to a 150+ tank.

Reef head · Sep 11, 2014

^ you must have something wrong. I'm sps dominant and have excellent growth. I sure something else is wrong besides the lights.

Reef head · Sep 11, 2014

rayn said:
Couldn't agree more! I just snagged a W, but need to add one probably two more WE. I have only played with mine so far, but the shimmer is fantastic.

Controlling with the apex, they are still daisy chained together?

yep, daisy chain

PapaDragon · Sep 12, 2014

rs1831 said:
Great pics! Thank you for sharing. What size tank do you have?

My tank is 150g and measure 72LX18WX28H

PapaDragon · Sep 12, 2014

rayn said:
Couldn't agree more! I just snagged a W, but need to add one probably two more WE. I have only played with mine so far, but the shimmer is fantastic.

Controlling with the apex, they are still daisy chained together?

Yes my Kessils are daisy chained together

PapaDragon · Sep 12, 2014

rboutin111 said:
I've had the Kessil A360WE on my 29 gallon cube for a year now. I've found that my corals are growing very slowly. Of course I am very new to reefing. Started in January 2012. So I don't have much experience in coral growth. One major issue I've found with the Kessil is a single point of light source creating a lot of shadows. Branching SPS are very hard to keep. I currently have one and it has to be placed right in the center of the light to limit the amount of shadows. At the same time I love the shimmer and shadows of the fish. I've just ordered a Radion to see if I get different growth before I upgrade in about a year to a 150+ tank.

I've only had my lights for a week so I can't really comment, but the reviews I've read say just the opposite. What are your lights set on?

Jimbo662 · Sep 12, 2014

Papa, looks like your lights are about a foot above the water. is that correct? mine are about 9 1/2" above.

PapaDragon · Sep 12, 2014

Jimbo662 said:
Papa, looks like your lights are about a foot above the water. is that correct? mine are about 9 1/2" above.

Hi Jimbo! Yes they are about 12" above because I thought that is what the manual said, but here is what it actually says: "Hang the A360N / A360W 1 to 2 ft. above the object to be illuminated".

So I guess I can lower mine to reduce light spillage since my corals are like 6" below the water.

kevinf · Sep 12, 2014

mine is currently cycling.
Running BulkReefSupply's setting..
Ramps from 0-50intensity
0-90 color and back down

reefaboo · Sep 12, 2014

Reef head said:
^ you must have something wrong. I'm sps dominant and have excellent growth. I sure something else is wrong besides the lights.

what size tank and how many Kessils ?? can we have an FTS please

i love kessils but the shadowing is true. Sps that are exposed to light are wonderfully colored but the shadow is harsh on the underlighted areas. nothing to do with growth though.