What’s the depth of your tank?I think the 500x is geared towards deeper tanks, but it can also work in shallow tanks given the right mounting height. Yeah, I never understood the "kessil can't grow sps" gripe. Completely baseless if you ask me. I think it mostly comes from reefers who don't understand how to implement lighting (led's) in a reef tank.
Older pic before I started to move out some older pieces.
Top down evening feeding pic.
I plan on these lights on a tank with a depth of 16.5” what’s your depth?I think the 500x is geared towards deeper tanks, but it can also work in shallow tanks given the right mounting height. Yeah, I never understood the "kessil can't grow sps" gripe. Completely baseless if you ask me. I think it mostly comes from reefers who don't understand how to implement lighting (led's) in a reef tank.
Older pic before I started to move out some older pieces.
Top down evening feeding pic.
I'm using the 500x in a unique way over a 10g tank mounted much higher. For a tank that's 16" deep, I would do several 360x's as they will give you the coverage you need. If your tank was 24" then the 500x would be appropriate. I'll try to post some pics of my old setup on my 90g and my new nano system. I would also use Quanta Pro bars over the new Blade any day of the week. The AI lights don't do it for me, especially at that price.
I think you’ll be fine with only three. I’ve not heard about the 12% dimming, maybe that’s control through an apex issue? I use the WiFi dongle and it works just fine. Having contrast and shaded areas looks natural to me and gives you an opportunity to put certain animals in those areas.
Thanks @minus9! I've thought about doing that with the auto-feeder, I need to give that a try. It's kind of an eye sore on the tank.
Beautiful tank man! That's EXACTLY the look I want, appreciate the input with pictures. I'll post some pictures when the lights arrive!My 6x2x2' Reef has been lit with exclusively 500's for about a year and 6 months. My goal for this tank was an aesthetically pleasing display in a busy part of the house. I've been down the road of having tanks that look like science projects many times, and still do that with a smaller system in the basement. But I wanted this system to be simple and clean. I like the Kessil's a lot. The appearance of the fixtures, the spectrum, and the wonderful shimmer make for a fantastic display. I did have to adjust the aquascape to have less overhangs due to shadows, but I'd rather do that than have a tanning bed over the tank. I grow sps just fine, and have a few in the tank. But the tank is really geared to being a mixed reef.
I too plan on running them with a Neptune apex. Have hears nothing but amazing reviews. Heard the Kessil app is awful.
Yeah, especially for rimless tanks, it's nice to clear out that space. I just use a small Sicce voyager nano and put it on the opposite end of the return section. I typically use NLS pellets and TDO (small), so they've never caused a problem with the pump. I'm also a low turnover return pump guy, so my return is only running at 35%.
Hey Mark, quick question, how's the glare with the lights mounted so high?My 6x2x2' Reef has been lit with exclusively 500's for about a year and 6 months. My goal for this tank was an aesthetically pleasing display in a busy part of the house. I've been down the road of having tanks that look like science projects many times, and still do that with a smaller system in the basement. But I wanted this system to be simple and clean. I like the Kessil's a lot. The appearance of the fixtures, the spectrum, and the wonderful shimmer make for a fantastic display. I did have to adjust the aquascape to have less overhangs due to shadows, but I'd rather do that than have a tanning bed over the tank. I grow sps just fine, and have a few in the tank. But the tank is really geared to being a mixed reef.
