3 Kessil A80 or 2 A160 over a 20 Long?

[musicsmaker]

What would you go with and why? I want to keep mostly zoanthids and rock nems, with a couple of strategically placed LPS.

The A80's are close in wattage to the lights I have over a currently running system with mostly the same corals I want to put in the new one.

The A160's have more power, but with only 2 of them there would be less spread.

2 A160's with mounts costs nearly $200 more than 3 A80's with mounts.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I’d go with a 30 inch blade or a couple LED bars. Better coverage, less fixtures.

 

[Spare time]

I would think two a80's would be fine. The a160 gives you better upgradability in the future since they can work on larger tanks.

 

[ingchr1]

For my tank I'm currently looking at a similar situation, except one A160 or two A80's. They would be replacing two T5's in my setup. If I do make the change, I am going with the two A80's for spread and no fans to have to worry about.

 

[musicsmaker]

I’d go with a 30 inch blade or a couple LED bars. Better coverage, less fixtures.

I'm going with Kessils because I like the shimmer, but I'll probably add some LED bars later down the line as the corals start filling out. No go on the blades. The disco ball effect kills me.

 

[musicsmaker]

I would think two a80's would be fine. The a160 gives you better upgradability in the future since they can work on larger tanks.

Just two? Upgradeability isn't a concern in this case. I already have an AP9X for my larger system.

 

[musicsmaker]

For my tank I'm currently looking at a similar situation, except one A160 or two A80's. They would be replacing two T5's in my setup. If I do make the change, I am going with the two A80's for spread and no fans to have to worry about.

Instead of replacing the T5's, have you considered just adding the two A80's to your existing setup? Just curious.

 

[ingchr1]

Instead of replacing the T5's, have you considered just adding the two A80's to your existing setup? Just curious.

Some more info on my my current setup, it's two Quata Pro's and two T5's. Mixed reef, 40 gallons.

 

[Spare time]

Just two? Upgradeability isn't a concern in this case. I already have an AP9X for my larger system.

3 is better but 2 is enough in my opinion.

 

[oreo54]

What would you go with and why?

The A80's are close in wattage to the lights I have over a currently running system with mostly the same corals I want to put in the new one.

The A160's have more power, but with only 2 of them there would be less spread.

2 A160's with mounts costs nearly $200 more than 3 A80's with mounts.

Since your tank is only 12" wide and the Kessil "form factor" is circular you are probably better off with 3 A80's with a mounting height to create a 12" dia. radius. thus 3 lights to cover the 30"


Spreading the 2 160's to give full overage of the 30" (from the surface) will leave a lot of light outside the 12" wide tank.
Same argument with using only 2 a80's.
But since 2 160's (40-ish w each?) are about 2x stronger than 3 80's (15w each) you do have light to spare.. but its sort of wasteful at this point.
Kessil does recommend the a80's

https://kessil.com/products/saltwater_A80.php

18" x 18" Soft Coral/ Lightly Planted
12" x 12" Mixed Reef & Moderately Planted

Height recommendation:

This A80 (the Tuna Blue) version is for reef tanks.

Coverage is 14" to 24" depending on the scenario. For small nano reefs with a medium light demand the coverage is 14" (with the bottom of the light 4" above the water).

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I had 3x Kessil a80 over my IM30 and that worked out perfectly for me.

 

[AquaLogic]

3 a80 would be ideal

 

[musicsmaker]

Since your tank is only 12" wide and the Kessil "form factor" is circular you are probably better off with 3 A80's with a mounting height to create a 12" dia. radius. thus 3 lights to cover the 30"


Spreading the 2 160's to give full overage of the 30" (from the surface) will leave a lot of light outside the 12" wide tank.
Same argument with using only 2 a80's.
But since 2 160's (40-ish w each?) are about 2x stronger than 3 80's (15w each) you do have light to spare.. but its sort of wasteful at this point.
Kessil does recommend the a80's

https://kessil.com/products/saltwater_A80.php


Height recommendation:

Thanks for the information packed reply. I was enough to persuade me, and just in time too. I found some used ones locally and picked them up this morning. Thanks again!

 

[musicsmaker]

I had 3x Kessil a80 over my IM30 and that worked out perfectly for me.

Do you have any pictures of it? What kind of corals did you keep in it?

 

[musicsmaker]

Some more info on my my current setup, it's two Quata Pro's and two T5's. Mixed reef, 40 gallons.

Makes sense now for sure.