Can A Kessil H80 Function as a Lighting Source for Reef Tanks?

[Dom]

I currently have a tank whose depth is 16 inches. I measure the spread of a Kessil H80 to have a spread of 21 inches with the H80 mounted 3 inches above the water line.

Presently, the H80 is installed as supplemental lighting. But I love the look and the light penetration visible to the naked eye.

So I'm thinking of ways in which I can use this light.

Options:

1. Install 2 H80 in conjunction with the currently installed IC LOOP system as supplemental lighting.

2. Install 4 H80 across the entire tank and eliminate the IC LOOP system.

When I purchased the H80 I currently own, it was labeled as a refugium light on the BRS website. Can it be used with others as a light source?

Thank you,
Dom

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not really
Offers insufficient PAR for most coral and hence intended for refugium (small area)
If this were a 2 gallon tank- yes would be the answer

 

[nereefpat]

The A80 has the color we usually use in our salt tanks. The H80 is more of a fuge or freshwater light. Either way, they are only 15 watts. Could work, I suppose, on a very small tank, or if you used several. There are probably better ways, but if you like it, why not?

 

[Mr Fishface]

If you like the look, check out the other kessil products. Getting two of the H80 would cost roughly the same as a single A160. Those have a bit more power to them. I have the older a360we lights and I really like them too.

 

[Dom]

This tank is deeper than the previous one. The real issue is that my Nems aren't getting enough light.

I don't mind changing the lighting system completely. And as much as I like the functionality of the IC LOOP, it's terribly under powered.

So I'm a bit conflicted. I feel like supplementing the IC LOOP might be throwing good money after bad. And when I saw how the H80 penetrated the depth of the tank, I concluded there must be some real good PAR there.

@vetteguy53081, @nereefpat, @Mr Fishface - What lights are you guys running?

 

[nereefpat]

@vetteguy53081, @nereefpat, @Mr Fishface - What lights are you guys running?

I'm a T5 guy on my current tank with past experience with power compact, metal halide, and less so with LED.

 

[Mr Fishface]

This tank is deeper than the previous one. The real issue is that my Nems aren't getting enough light.

I don't mind changing the lighting system completely. And as much as I like the functionality of the IC LOOP, it's terribly under powered.

So I'm a bit conflicted. I feel like supplementing the IC LOOP might be throwing good money after bad. And when I saw how the H80 penetrated the depth of the tank, I concluded there must be some real good PAR there.

@vetteguy53081, @nereefpat, @Mr Fishface - What lights are you guys running?

Well on my 125 before I had to take things down for a while, I had two kessil a360we on the ends and a 4' 4 bulb T5 light. I loved the shimmer of the kessil and how the T5 just distributed the light in the whole tank. Was a very beautiful combo.

I did use a metal halide before, also very nice but did get hot. The light seemed to spill out of the tank the most I think. I've also used other led lights and they did good with colors but for me, kessil has looked the best since the metal halide. I'd recommend a kessil T5 combo any day

 

[Tamberav]

This tank is deeper than the previous one. The real issue is that my Nems aren't getting enough light.

I don't mind changing the lighting system completely. And as much as I like the functionality of the IC LOOP, it's terribly under powered.

So I'm a bit conflicted. I feel like supplementing the IC LOOP might be throwing good money after bad. And when I saw how the H80 penetrated the depth of the tank, I concluded there must be some real good PAR there.

@vetteguy53081, @nereefpat, @Mr Fishface - What lights are you guys running?

Our eyes are a very poor measurement of par and if the tank is actually getting what it needs. They make really bright lights that would not be reef capable. These H80/A80's are not very powerful and really meant for pico type spaces.

If you like the look, you could buy a bigger kessil.

 

[Dom]

Our eyes are a very poor measurement of par and if the tank is actually getting what it needs. They make really bright lights that would not be reef capable. These H80/A80's are not very powerful and really meant for pico type spaces.

If you like the look, you could buy a bigger kessil.

Yes... I'm looking at the AP9X right now.

 

[JumboShrimp]

If the tank is 16" deep, subtract the sand bed, subtract that to the overflow grate you're not filling the tank to the top; possible the corals are raised on a rock... what is the true amount of water that needs to be penetrated? I guess ultimately it depends on the needs of the particular corals, but I'm trying to help you make it work in your mind. lol.

 

[Dom]

If the tank is 16" deep, subtract the sand bed, subtract that to the overflow grate you're not filling the tank to the top; possible the corals are raised on a rock... what is the true amount of water that needs to be penetrated? I guess ultimately is depends on the needs of the particular corals, but I'm trying to help you make it work in your mind. lol.

Pondering a plunge on a AP9X

 

[nereefpat]

Pondering a plunge on a AP9X

What's the tank's dimensions? Did I miss it?

 

[Dom]

What's the tank's dimensions? Did I miss it?

Good question.

I did mention that the tank is 16" deep. Its dimensions are: 48" wide x 12" x 16" deep.

This is an Aqueon tank with a center brace. The brace is black and will cast a shadow if I don't position the lights strategically.

The lights presently installed are the Current-USA IC LOOP PRO. It is (2) 24" lights that provide a total of 74 watts. I have two installed for a total of (4) lights giving me a total of 148 watts of power, wish is a bit over 50 watts short of the "5 watts per gallon" rule.

The AP9X is a nice light. It will provide the power I need and with the light configured with the LED assembly at the ends of the fixture, it can be placed over the center brace and not obstruct the LED assemblies.

As an alternative, I am considering the A360X Tuna Blue. This will offer much greater flexibility with positioning. And in the end, they both cost about the same when you include mounting hardware.

I am getting about 3500 lumens at the bottom of the tank (sorry, I have a LUX meter, not a PAR meter). This is about half of my minimum LUX goal. So I would have to have double the number of fixtures on the tank to get to my 7k-10k lumen range, and is why I am conflicted about supplementing the existing lights as opposed to buying something completely new.