Are Tuna Blues good?

[Startswithj]

Hello! Thank you in advance for any help.

I am currently running a RSR 250, so 55 gallon DT and I am running two a80 Tuna Blues (tank was purchased used and these came with it). After some reading, I’ve seen some information that suggests these lights are not sufficient (strong enough) for a 55 gallon.

Is this true? I currently have an indo torch and hammer about midway up the tank and both seem happy most of the time (will retract a couple times a day).

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Edit: wrong kessil.

You are gonna struggle to keep lps with those I suspect. That's are for very small tanks.

 

[Startswithj]

Edit: wrong kessil.

You are gonna struggle to keep lps with those I suspect. That's are for very small tanks.

Which Kessil lights are best? Would you recommend any others, specifically?

 

[Acros]

If you are to just have one Kessil light on that tank, ap9x is the way to go. Same can be achieved to 2 Kessil 360x Tuna Blue as well.

 

[Startswithj]

If you are to just have one Kessil light on that tank, ap9x is the way to go. Same can be achieved to 2 Kessil 360x Tuna Blue as well.

I’ve found someone selling 2X a360w’s on marketplace. Would these be a good option?

 

[Acros]

I’ve found someone selling 2X a360w’s on marketplace. Would these be a good option?

They are pretty old. I do not have experience with that specific model, but I don't see why they won't work for LPS. I do not think they will work for SPS/mixed reef.

 

[oreo54]

Hello! Thank you in advance for any help.

I am currently running a RSR 250, so 55 gallon DT and I am running two a80 Tuna Blues (tank was purchased used and these came with it). After some reading, I’ve seen some information that suggests these lights are not sufficient (strong enough) for a 55 gallon.

Is this true? I currently have an indo torch and hammer about midway up the tank and both seem happy most of the time (will retract a couple times a day).

36"L x 20"H x 21"W
Remember that round puck style lights project a symmetric light cone.
So if you want to cover 21" right off the bat the l/r spread is 21"
Well Kessils are circular not square but that disadvantage quickly dissipates.
So no matter you really need 2.
Wattage and by extension par needs are determined by what you grow and where you want it.
Fortunately many lights are dim-able so with the right amount of power under-lighting gets more unlikely.
but things like the 2 15W Kessils you have now do not have not enough power to keep more light hungry things happy.
Par measurements below in thread.
70 PAR @ 10" was reported.
Which is what you may get around 1/2 way down in the sweat spot.

PAR for Kessil A80

I recently had the fortune of borrowing a par meter from my local reef society and testing it out in my tank. The tank's dimensions are 24 x 10 x 10" and the par varied from 30 to 40 at a corner to 40 to 70 in the middle from bottom to top. I've read that par meters don't pick up the par from kes...

www.nano-reef.com

Of course there are a lot of "other things" including what you want to spend.
There are numerous lights that you could get and I'm not going to "recommend" any in particular BUT I will give one example as a starting point..

ReefBreeders

Everything you need for your aquarium

reefbreeders.com

$760
150-ish watts or so, lots of par ect.
Listed at 230W power consumption.

As to your used Kessils...????
Depends on age, condition, accessories, ect.
Listed at 90W each.

for what its worth..

 

[Seansea]

Are you gonna be keeping sps? If not you can put some of the more light loving lps in the hot spot which is basically where the tractor beam comes down and put some of the lower light lovers like mushrooms and cloves and such off to the sides. Kessils are great for mixxed reefs but i think id your goal is a sps dominant tank radions or something else might be better.

 

[Startswithj]

Are you gonna be keeping sps? If not you can put some of the more light loving lps in the hot spot which is basically where the tractor beam comes down and put some of the lower light lovers like mushrooms and cloves and such off to the sides. Kessils are great for mixxed reefs but i think id your goal is a sps dominant tank radions or something else might be better.

Right now I’m thinking mostly softies and some LPS. I’m relatively new to the hobby and everything I’ve read suggests that SPS is for more advanced reefers. Also, I am not interested in being overly involved with my tank all day, every day.

 

[dwest]

I’ve found someone selling 2X a360w’s on marketplace. Would these be a good option?

I think these would work for you. I use those plus T5’s. You won’t need the T5’s for LPS.

Edit: you’ll need a kessil controller with these

 

[twentyleagues]

Over all those lights (a80s) are designed for very small tanks or possibly larger with low light corals. As stated the 360w are an older light and as such you have no idea how long they've been run, Id not chance it. Lighting is kind of hard especially with all the choices. If going with the 360 series with 2 you probably be able to keep some lps and softies in the right spots again said before. Some options ive looked into would be
AI blades 2 of the 48" would probably give you more full light coverage for about the same price as 2 of the 360s.
Reeffi uno 2.0s should also do the trick in the same price range some shading may happen near the edges.
Everything else gets quite a bit more expensive from there other then the different lights dubbed black box lights. Basically any of the cheap lights off amazon and such. Ive seen these work and not work so...

 

[jhadaway]

I use an a80 tuna for my 5.5 gallon pico with 2 supplement lights. If you are sticking with lps/softies there are lots of AI Primes for sale used. Great little lights. I would think 2 would do it.

 

[minus9]

If you want to stay with Kessil's, then I would suggest the "x" versions over the used "w" versions. I would also use two 360x's over the AP9x, as they would give you more flexibility in mounting. As you gain more knowledge and experience, you can add supplemental lighting to fill in the shaded areas. Quanta Pro make really nice LED bars and would compliment the Kessil's nicely. You'll need the x controller or the wifi dongle to get the most out of the Kessil's and unlock the other color features, (violet, read and green channels). Also, don't be afraid of shading caused by point source lighting, you can place corals that are better suited for lower lighting in those areas.

 

[zoomonster]

I’ve found someone selling 2X a360w’s on marketplace. Would these be a good option?

Well I'm going to play the devils advocate after having 5x Kessil A360we's on a 6ft tank all die one by one (around 2 year mark it started) and getting zero assistance from useless Kessil support. At the time there was only one person in US you could call. Avoid Kessil altogether!

Keep in mind those A360we's all eventually die and any used one may have been jump started. Theres a video on Youtube about doing that. I did it for one of the lights to put on a little 32g build and it worked but the jury is still out on how long it lasts.

 

[Startswithj]

Well, after watching some YouTube it seems like the a80s can get PAR between 115-130 in the middle of the tank at full intensity. Would this not be sufficient for most euphilia?

 

[jhadaway]

Well, after watching some YouTube it seems like the a80s can get PAR between 115-130 in the middle of the tank at full intensity. Would this not be sufficient for most euphilia?

I have a frogspwan about 12 inches under my a808 running at 60-70% slightly turned to the blue side. It's doing well. I also have a spongedos, digitata and monti caps growing quickly. Again a 5.5 gallon pico.

 

[minus9]

Well, after watching some YouTube it seems like the a80s can get PAR between 115-130 in the middle of the tank at full intensity. Would this not be sufficient for most euphilia?

In a nano tank most likely, but anything larger than a 20g you’ll have to place corals high on the rock or supplement them. You can’t expect two 15w LEDs to cover a 55g tank no matter what fixture you’re using. I’ve had nothing but stellar customer support/service from Kessil, but I’m sure you’ll hear plenty from sides. If you’re on a tight budget, then pick up a couple nice LED bars until you can add other fixtures. You could easily use two Quanta Pro bars and call it a day. Reach out to @Lousybreed and he’ll help you choose the right bars.

 

[Seansea]

I think for what hes trying to accomplish a360s are a bit much. Those are some pretty intense lights. A80s will be plenty for most euphelia as long as you get them near the hot spot. I have the a160s on my 75g and when i accidentally tipped my a160 angled for a couple days and my hammers were getting the tractor beam they closed up until i noticed what i did. I would start with your a80s since they are free and its only a 55 g tank. If you feel like stuff isnt growing upgrade. I think u will like the shimmer kessils give. I love it

Also i have had nothing but great experience with kessil. They helped me program my spectral controller when i first got it and were very helpful.