A360X Light Shade- Need help

[MichaelReefer]

Good morning,

The boss of the house (we all know who that is) wants some light shades on the tank for my A360X's but am having a dilemma- I dont know which ones to get!

I am stuck between the wide cone and cone. I am running four A360X on a 60 inch tank, approx 9 inches over the tank. My main worry is creating shadowing. Has anyone run these and has any recommendation? Or would I be better off with the Kessil 55 reflectors?


@Printed Reef

HELP!

https://printedreef.com/products/ke...n9Ys-GtEs_P4XxxemFNOrV8h52lB7x84QgYED2PRW4Ase

 

[Reefer Matt]

I made my own which have a narrow profile. They keep light spill out without creating shadow's. About 2 1/2” tall.
Printed Reef can make a custom size if you want.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I made my own which have a narrow profile. They keep light spill out without creating shadow's. About 2 1/2” tall.
Printed Reef can make a custom size if you want.

The main problem I'm having is I dont want to spend $150 on four and then need the other cone. Not sure if the normal cone will block too much light, and the wide one wont block enough.

 

[Reefer Matt]

The main problem I'm having is I dont want to spend $150 on four and then need the other cone. Not sure if the normal cone will block too much light, and the wide one wont block enough.

Someone one R2R may be able to make them for you. Maybe try the 3d printing forum here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/3d-printing-discussion.1295/

 

[painter1982]

I don’t have a picture but I use to have 5 kessils on mine. I went to Walmart and got a black foam board in the art section. It unfolded and was quite long. I cut a piece to be about 6” x 4’. I used a wire coat hanger and made brackets to attach to the light mounts using Velcro strips for tying wires. I mounted the foam board to the mounts. It looked really nice and solved the problem.

 

[painter1982]

I don’t have a picture but I use to have 5 kessils on mine. I went to Walmart and got a black foam board in the art section. It unfolded and was quite long. I cut a piece to be about 6” x 4’. I used a wire coat hanger and made brackets to attach to the light mounts using Velcro strips for tying wires. I mounted the foam board to the mounts. It looked really nice and solved the problem.

I found a picture of it. It actually looks better in person.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I found a picture of it. It actually looks better in person.

Yeah I want to get the magnetic cones, I am just not sure which one to get based on my mounting height

 

[painter1982]

I found a picture of it. It actually looks better in person.

Yeah I want to get the magnetic cones, I am just not sure which one to get based on my mounting height

I tried that route. You can’t mount a reflector if you want the better par reading. I also tried one that wraps around the light but it wouldn’t stay on once the light warmed it up.

 

[RobertK]

I can't comment on the shades but I have used the Kessil 55 degree reflectors, and can tell you that they will narrow the beam and increase the PAR down low in the tank as advertised. If you and your corals are happy with the current light distribution I would not recommend the reflectors.

 

[Marco_99]

The 55 deg reflectors are mainly to boost par (up to 3 times) to accommodate a higher mounting height or generally
for sps dominated tanks. It’s designed to narrow the beam of light for penetration and shouldn’t be used as a “basic light spill device”. At 8.5 inches (same height I have my 4 A360xe Kessils over a 4ft ) you’d probably have to do some severe light adjusting. You need something like Reefer Matt or Painter.