Anyone running Kessil + Orphek together?

[SpacedGhost77]

Running a Red Sea Reefer 350 G2+ peninsula (38” x 25” x 24”) and currently have:

• 1 Orphek Atlantik Icon centered
• 2 OR4 36” Sky Blue bars

I’m considering adding either angled A360WE or A500X on each end of the Icon to:

• Add shimmer
• Improve edge PAR
• Reduce shadowing
• Try to get closer to a halide-style look

Has anyone actually run Kessil and Orphek together on the same tank? I’d really appreciate full-tank photos and fixture layout shots.

I’ve always preferred the Hamilton 14K look from my old 6ft Cebu Sun, so I’m curious whether this combo can get anywhere close to that crisp halide shimmer and depth, or if it still reads unmistakably LED.

For context, I also have two ReefBrite 250w SE halide hybrids on the way in case I decide to go back to halides. I’m trying to decide before everything is mounted permanently.

Any firsthand experience, PAR data, or side-by-side comparisons would help.

 

[TX_REEF]

I am! I have Kessil AP9x as my primary, and added an orphek bar to reduce shadowing and increase widspread PAR. Just for fun, I turned up both fixtures to 100% as a test and was able to hit 700 PAR at the top of my rockwork. The shimmer from Kessils is unmatched when it comes to LEDs.

 

[Scallopking]

Me too. I have an OR3 and OR4 bar, and 3 A360XE and 2 A360X. Here’s a side pic from the left side of the tank. I run the Orphek 6 hours full 100% spectrum from 4 to 10. The Kessils ramp up and down 12 hours from 12 to 12. Hope that helps. PS. I used steel under counter top supports lag bolted to the wall, since I wanted another Orphek in the front I added another straight aluminum support on top of it. I had to drill the holes where I wanted them but it is pretty slick looking I think.

 

[TX_REEF]

Me too. I have an OR3 and OR4 bar, and 3 A360XE and 2 A360X. Here’s a side pic from the left side of the tank. I run the Orphek 6 hours full 100% spectrum from 4 to 10. The Kessils ramp up and down 12 hours from 12 to 12. Hope that helps. PS. I used steel under counter top supports lag bolted to the wall, since I wanted another Orphek in the front I added another straight aluminum support on top of it. I had to drill the holes where I wanted them but it is pretty slick looking I think.

Very clean kit

 

[SpacedGhost77]

I am! I have Kessil AP9x as my primary, and added an orphek bar to reduce shadowing and increase widspread PAR. Just for fun, I turned up both fixtures to 100% as a test and was able to hit 700 PAR at the top of my rockwork. The shimmer from Kessils is unmatched when it comes to LEDs.

Great setup. Thank you for your input.

 

[SpacedGhost77]

Me too. I have an OR3 and OR4 bar, and 3 A360XE and 2 A360X. Here’s a side pic from the left side of the tank. I run the Orphek 6 hours full 100% spectrum from 4 to 10. The Kessils ramp up and down 12 hours from 12 to 12. Hope that helps. PS. I used steel under counter top supports lag bolted to the wall, since I wanted another Orphek in the front I added another straight aluminum support on top of it. I had to drill the holes where I wanted them but it is pretty slick looking I think.

That’s a very clean mounting solution. I’ve started reviewing other Kessil mounting approaches, and this one stands out. I also appreciate the coral shot showing off the combination. Thank you for your input.

 

[Scallopking]

Very clean kit

Thank you! Looks like you used similar supports, no?

 

[Scallopking]

That’s a very clean mounting solution. I’ve started reviewing other Kessil mounting approaches, and this one stands out. I also appreciate the coral shot showing off the combination. Thank you for your input.

Thank you. . Took a little bit to figure out how to do it this way. Because I didn’t want any tank mounted solution or ceiling. I got those under counter black supports from Amazon and the U shaped aluminum bar from Grainger since it was deeper than what I could get from local places to hide the cables. I can give you the links. And you’re most welcome.

 

[Scallopking]

I agree with @TX_REEF 100% also. Cant beat the shimmer. I’ll add, Even adding the bars. The shimmer was crazy before just Kessils, which I liked, now it’s a little more mellow with the Orpheks but still lovely. Probably, because I added two bars it muted it a bit more.

 

[SpacedGhost77]

Thank you. . Took a little bit to figure out how to do it this way. Because I didn’t want any tank mounted solution or ceiling. I got those under counter black supports from Amazon and the U shaped aluminum bar from Grainger since it was deeper than what I could get from local places to hide the cables. I can give you the links. And you’re most welcome.

That makes a lot of sense. I like the decision to avoid tank and ceiling mounts, and the deeper U-channel to hide the cables was a smart touch. It looks intentional and very clean. I appreciate you sharing the links and sourcing details. Thanks again for taking the time to explain it.

 

[SpacedGhost77]

I agree with @TX_REEF 100% also. Cant beat the shimmer. I’ll add, Even adding the bars. The shimmer was crazy before just Kessils, which I liked, now it’s a little more mellow with the Orpheks but still lovely. Probably, because I added two bars it muted it a bit more.

Yes, it’s been really helpful seeing both your and @TX_REEF's combinations and light placement. It’s great to compare the different Kessil and Orphek intensities and see what that blend produces in each tank. Two distinct but equally strong looks. I’m looking forward to getting my Kessil in and starting to dial it in.