Calling all Kessil fans for IM20 help

[AudioJunkie]

I have an IM20 on order and the last piece of the puzzle is lighting.

I’m stuck betwixed a single A360X or dual A160WE’s

I feel like I’ll be able to run the 160’s closer to the tank with lower power while the 360 would have to be mounted higher and cranked up a tad more. However, I also feel the single light would be better aesthetically.

As far as control, I’m not really concerned with the fancy controllers ATM. But, if I ever wanted to get fancy, the 360 has the Wi-Fi dongle available for app control while the 160’s are only controllable through the spectral controller.

The tank will not be setup until the beginning of October as we have a week long vacation planned at the end of September so I have plenty of time to save up for the $78 extra it would be for the dual 160’s.

As far as plans for the tank, I’m a noob and will only be doing a handful of beginner corals like some zoa, duncan, blasto and a hammer.

Sorry for the long post but I’d really appreciate some input from all of you!

 

[AudioJunkie]

One thing I did forget to mention.

I have an Apogee MQ-500 PAR meter so I can dial in whichever setup I go with.

I contacted Apogee about using it for saltwater and they said it is the same submersible sensor that is used on the 510 model I would just need to multiply the value by 1.3 for the under water correction.

 

[slingfox]

Any deals you are dead set on a Kessil? Their light design is quite outdated now. You could get something like the Reef Breeder’s Meridian 11 for 10% cheaper and have a light that is better in pretty much every way other than the extreme shimmer of Kessil’s (I prefer the more even blanket look).

 

[BriDroid]

I would do the two 160’s just because I like my lights more spread out, less shadows. I’m running 3 160’s and 2 quanta helix bars over my 40 breeder.

 

[MushroomMan101]

I know this isn’t what you asked but I run an AI blade and Radion combo. I have been super impressed with the blades. I think you could start with one of the 21 inch blades (which I believe cost less than a single Kessil 160) and add a second as your tank develops and needs the second light. Would still be cheaper overall and provide more even coverage. You would lose some of the extra spectrum and shimmer that the Kessil’s have.

 

[AudioJunkie]

Any deals you are dead set on a Kessil? Their light design is quite outdated now. You could get something like the Reef Breeder’s Meridian 11 for 10% cheaper and have a light that is better in pretty much every way other than the extreme shimmer of Kessil’s (I prefer the more even blanket look).

Not entirely dead set on them. What has swayed me towards them is that great shimmer, I like the look of the “pendant” lights, and I am also not a fan of the purple. In all my research Kessil seems to be fantastic at giving the daylight-esque white light with a hint of blue.

The Meridian appeared more white with a hint of purple. Well, at least in the videos I watched

I might just be the minority and everybody else leans on the purples

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is what three A80s look like on an IM20, just in case it helps you to get a visual.

 

[AudioJunkie]

I would do the two 160’s just because I like my lights more spread out, less shadows. I’m running 3 160’s and 2 quanta helix bars over my 40 breeder.

That’s another great positive of the two 160’s. Having shadows will probably drive me nuts.

 

[AudioJunkie]

I know this isn’t what you asked but I run an AI blade and Radion combo. I have been super impressed with the blades. I think you could start with one of the 21 inch blades (which I believe cost less than a single Kessil 160) and add a second as your tank develops and needs the second light. Would still be cheaper overall and provide more even coverage. You would lose some of the extra spectrum and shimmer that the Kessil’s have.

The blades were some of the first I had my eyes on but I feel in order to get the coloring I want, I’d have to drop power on the blues too much. Which in turn, would greatly reduce my PAR since the grow blades are mostly blue LEDs.

 

[AudioJunkie]

This is what three A80s look like on an IM20, just in case it helps you to get a visual.

Thanks for the visual, looks great!

 

[slingfox]

The blades were some of the first I had my eyes on but I feel in order to get the coloring I want, I’d have to drop power on the blues too much. Which in turn, would greatly reduce my PAR since the grow blades are mostly blue LEDs.

I used to run the AI Blade Grow. They can generate very white/daylight spectrum. More so than the Kessils. The heavy blue/violet version of the Blades is the AI Blade Glow which have no white LEDs whatsoever. If you want a super white light spectrum then you can get the freshwater version of the AI Blades.

 

[JumboShrimp]

(Currently I am using one Blade on the L-stands, and have one A80 still hooked up-- but I really don't turn it on. The one Blade grows what I need, including leathers.)

 

[minus9]

You might look into the Noopsyche mini as an alternative. It's a great little light and would cover that tank nicely. I have a 360x over my IM25 lagoon and it covers it nicely. I also have the Noopsyche mini on a desktop tank and the spectrum and output are more than enough for your tank.

 

[AudioJunkie]

awesome. Now I have even more lights to think about

@slingfox I'm digging the idea of adding a freshwater blade with the grow. Never even crossed my mind to supplement with a freshwater light to get the color I’m looking for.

 

[slingfox]

awesome. Now I have even more lights to think about

@slingfox I'm digging the idea of adding a freshwater blade with the grow. Never even crossed my mind to supplement with a freshwater light to get the color I’m looking for.

You can take a look at My Tank Thread to see how my tank originally looked with the AI Blade Grows running under a mostly white spectrum. You can get a very daylight looking tank with just Grows while having the flexibility of going heavy blue if you feel like it. If you never want to run blue then the freshwater lights is a better fit.

 

[minus9]

I’m not sure of the length of your tank, but if you can fit 24” bars, then I would go for a Quanta Helix combo. Email Luca and he can give you with the right combo to achieve your desired spectrum. The blades are kinda weak on spectrum for what you’re spending and wouldn’t be my first choice.

 

[BriDroid]

I’m not sure of the length of your tank, but if you can fit 24” bars, then I would go for a Quanta Helix combo. Email Luca and he can give you with the right combo to achieve your desired spectrum. The blades are kinda weak on spectrum for what you’re spending and wouldn’t be my first choice.

I ran 2 Blades on my nano a Grow and a Glow. Be it that they were each 12”. Compared to my Helix strips (again they are 36”) the Blades were much weaker. I LOVE the Helix strips, inexpensive and PAR monsters!

 

[AudioJunkie]

You can take a look at My Tank Thread to see how my tank originally looked with the AI Blade Grows running under a mostly white spectrum. You can get a very daylight looking tank with just Grows while having the flexibility of going heavy blue if you feel like it. If you never want to run blue then the freshwater lights is a better fit.

That looks great! Love your aquascape

That’s actually the best color I’ve seen out of the blades. Definitely starting to sell me on them

 

[AudioJunkie]

@BriDroid @minus9 those Helix bars look pretty sweet too! I’ve never heard of them yet. This is just an Innovative Marine 20 gallon, it is 23.6” long.

I’ll give them a deeper dive before I make my final decision.

 

[minus9]

@BriDroid @minus9 those Helix bars look pretty sweet too! I’ve never heard of them yet. This is just an Innovative Marine 20 gallon, it is 23.6” long.

I’ll give them a deeper dive before I make my final decision.

Quanta lights are no joke, virtually one of the best spectrums offered in the industry. Luca is releasing a panel style fixture in September. I use meso blue bars with a single Atlas over my 90g and I can grow anything I want (mostly acropora and clams). I use meso blue bars with Kessil 360x’s over my son’s 50g lagoon and it’s a great combo.