Advice on Kessil A80 blue tuna

[maff2026]

Hi. Just looking for advice on my kessils before I stock fish and corals. 35 gallon tank, total water depth is about 16 inch and the lights are incredibly powerful for their wattage rating. So much so it hurts your eyes looking at the tank on full intensity and full blue.
There are two dials on each and I'm wanting to grow firstly soft corals and the easier LPS. I was thinking about 70% intensity at first and perhaps 20% white and 80% blue/indigo.
What is a good setting to start with? I don't have the controller as yet so relying on the dials.

 

[19Mateo83]

Get a controller, you will thank yourself and so will your corals.

 

[Bear22]

I'd recommend the controller too. That way, you can ramp up (and down) a light schedule. On Amazon you can pick up a well fitting 3D printed shade for the A80 if you desire.

 

[maff2026]

I'd recommend the controller too. That way, you can ramp up (and down) a light schedule. On Amazon you can pick up a well fitting 3D printed shade for the A80 if you desire.

A controller is the plan when funding allows. They ain't cheap. Meanwhile I could do with some sttings for the dials to be getting on with if you know what I mean.

 

[Bear22]

A controller is the plan when funding allows. They ain't cheap. Meanwhile I could do with some sttings for the dials to be getting on with if you know what I mean.

There are too many variables to suggest a definitive "this and that" with respect to color and intensity. As an example: areas of shading within the tank (rock scape placement), where the corals are placed is another one, and also the types of corals; e.g., a blasto will probably do better in lower light than most acans. So my non-definitive suggestion would be spectrum on the bluer side of color and intensity about 25% to start. Be patient and watch how the corals respond.

There's more than enough cumulative thread posts with respect to coral types and their response to light here on R2R that you can peruse to navigate a path forward.

Also bear in mind, light equates to algae growth. So, that's something you have to factor in as well with respect to intensity and duration. Have a cuc ready to do their thing for when the algae inevitably shows up.

Cheap and Kessil don't belong in the same same sentence together. Keep an eye out for a nice used controller via FleaBay or here on R2R. Good luck!

 

[maff2026]

There are too many variables to suggest a definitive "this and that" with respect to color and intensity. As an example: areas of shading within the tank (rock scape placement), where the corals are placed is another one, and also the types of corals; e.g., a blasto will probably do better in lower light than most acans. So my non-definitive suggestion would be spectrum on the bluer side of color and intensity about 25% to start. Be patient and watch how the corals respond.

There's more than enough cumulative observation(s) with respect to coral types and their response to light here on R2R that you can peruse to navigate a path forward.

I've just been reading about kessil logic which means you can have pretty much what white and blue combination you prefer and it will still maintain coral. Good to know. But I'll start at 25% intensity with mainly blue with a touch of white for display purposes. Thanks for your input.

 

[Bear22]

I've just been reading about kessil logic which means you can have pretty much what white and blue combination you prefer and it will still maintain coral. Good to know. But I'll start at 25% intensity with mainly blue with a touch of white for display purposes. Thanks for your input.

Haha, Jinx (25%)

 

[minus9]

You can probably set it to 100% intensity from the start and be okay. Set the color to your preference. I agree with the others, the controller will make it easier to program. Simple hour or two ramp up/down and you're good to go. Unless you're using this over a 2g jar, I can't imagine any coral responding poorly to 100% in anything larger.

 

[19Mateo83]

You can probably set it to 100% intensity from the start and be okay. Set the color to your preference. I agree with the others, the controller will make it easier to program. Simple hour or two ramp up/down and you're good to go. Unless you're using this over a 2g jar, I can't imagine any coral responding poorly to 100% in anything larger.

I have one over my 5g pico lol. Have to run it about 50%. They are strong little lights for the size.

 

[offthehook]

I have one on my daughter’s Eshopps Deskmate. It runs close to full intensity, but I’m also growing 5 different (easy) SPS, 2 hammers, candycane, mushrooms, and zoas. I keep it at more blue than white, and try to match it as close to my AI’s on the tank next to it.

What size tank is that? I just acquired a 15 gallon AIO with the Tuna blue A80 that came with clown and bubble tip anem. I’m not 100% this light is enough for that even at 100% intensity over that size tank. The nem looks healthy but the person I got it from hadn’t had it long in that tank.

 

[painter1982]

I run a single kessil a160 on my 13g bta tank. It’s at 100% intensity. Par up top is about 275 if I remember correctly. I can check it tomorrow.

 

[offthehook]

I run a single kessil a160 on my 13g bta tank. It’s at 100% intensity. Par up top is about 275 if I remember correctly. I can check it tomorrow.

Yeah I’m thinking the A80 is not going to cut it on a 15 aio. Thanks

 

[larrysaltisfun]

FWIW, I run three Kessil 500s on my 210 gallon I have no idea what the PAR is, but the lights are penetrating down about 46 inches from the light down to the sand. They are set on 75% intensity with a ramp up and ramp down and 80% blue. My corals look great. Seems to take them a few days to acclimate coming from the LFS which uses AI blades, and 100% blue, but I am a Kessil fan.

 

[offthehook]

FWIW, I run three Kessil 500s on my 210 gallon I have no idea what the PAR is, but the lights are penetrating down about 46 inches from the light down to the sand. They are set on 75% intensity with a ramp up and ramp down and 80% blue. My corals look great. Seems to take them a few days to acclimate coming from the LFS which uses AI blades, and 100% blue, but I am a Kessil fan.

Yes I have used kessils in the past so I’m a fan as well, looked at the 500 for my 48 gallon but figured it might be too much. Kessil told me it would be perfect so if I ever have to replace the radion xr30 g6, the 500 is on my short list.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

FWIW, I run three Kessil 500s on my 210 gallon I have no idea what the PAR is, but the lights are penetrating down about 46 inches from the light down to the sand. They are set on 75% intensity with a ramp up and ramp down and 80% blue. My corals look great. Seems to take them a few days to acclimate coming from the LFS which uses AI blades, and 100% blue, but I am a Kessil fan.

Yes I have used kessils in the past so I’m a fan as well, looked at the 500 for my 48 gallon but figured it might be too much. Kessil told me it would be perfect so if I ever have to replace the radion xr30 g6, the 500 is on my short list.

I am far far from well experienced with lights, but wouldn’t the 360s be a good choice for 48 gallon?

 

[offthehook]

I am far far from well experienced with lights, but wouldn’t the 360s be a good choice for 48 gallon?

Yes but the issue with mine was I only wanted one light so Kessil recommended the 500 asi would have needed 2 350’s Mine main display is a 36 inch tank. The radion xr30 pro G6 is perfect right in the middle.

 

[minus9]

Noopsyche mini is a great nano light. If you’re considering a radion, then look at Reefi Uno Pro or the gen 2 Nicrew.

 

[offthehook]

Noopsyche mini is a great nano light. If you’re considering a radion, then look at Reefi Uno Pro or the gen 2 Nicrew.

I have the radion xr30 g6 on my 48 gallon but don’t want to spend the money for the 15 :). I ordered a rl60 pop bloom, gonna see how that does, a friend has one and loves it so we shall see, figure it will be fine for my 15.