How many kessils do I need?

greg1786 · Sep 30, 2026

Hello! I set up a 32" long x 24" wide x 24" deep SCA rimless aquarium about a year and six months ago. I currently have a single Kessil A360we centered up at about 7" above the water level being run at about 60% intensity. I have one acan and a small frag of zoas on the sand bed and both are doing well. I am getting ready to start adding in some acros and was hoping to get some opinions from you guys about if I have enough lighting or should I add another Kessil? Two A360we seems like it is alot for this tank but I was condsidering maybe adding the 160we along side my current a360we. What do y'all think? Enough as is or add more? Thanks guys

Fish Fan · Sep 30, 2026

Kessil A360we's I quite like, and I consider them to have a 24"x24" footprint. So I'd do two for your 32" tank, honestly. Having two points of light goes a long way to eliminating dark spots and shadowing.

@Reefer Matt is a Kessil fan, what do you think?

Reefer Matt · Oct 2, 2026

greg1786 said:
Hello! I set up a 32" long x 24" wide x 24" deep SCA rimless aquarium about a year and six months ago. I currently have a single Kessil A360we centered up at about 7" above the water level being run at about 60% intensity. I have one acan and a small frag of zoas on the sand bed and both are doing well. I am getting ready to start adding in some acros and was hoping to get some opinions from you guys about if I have enough lighting or should I add another Kessil? Two A360we seems like it is alot for this tank but I was condsidering maybe adding the 160we along side my current a360we. What do y'all think? Enough as is or add more? Thanks guys

It’ll depend on where you want to put the acros. If in the middle directly under the light, then one light may do for now. However, if you also want acros outside of the intensity cone, you will likely need two lights to keep an even spread. Also, as the acros grow out, you may need fill light, as they grow and shade themselves and other coral. But to get ahead of it, two lights should give you some margin for growth for another year or two.

dwest · Oct 2, 2026

I think 2 minimum. When I used them, I had 6 over my 6ft tank (along with 4 T5’s). It was not overkill IMO but I had to place them low inside my canopy so the spread was not optimal.

I think they are great lights. Mine lasted many years. I think the secret to longevity with these is running at a lowish output and blowing out the fans periodically.

Fish Fan · Oct 2, 2026

dwest said:
blowing out the fans periodically.

I very much agree with this. I had a Kessil a360we crap out on me, I thought for sure I'd have to replace this light, but in the end I just blew the dust out of the fan, and the light has been working fine ever since. I now try to blow them out when I think of it, maybe a couple times a year or so.

dwest · Oct 2, 2026

Fish Fan said:
I very much agree with this. I had a Kessil a360we crap out on me, I thought for sure I'd have to replace this light, but in the end I just blew the dust out of the fan, and the light has been working fine ever since. I now try to blow them out when I think of it, maybe a couple times a year or so.

Same here. I blew mine out every 6 months. All was good after I started doing that.

greg1786 · Oct 4, 2026

Thank you guys for all the advice. I am going to add a second. The one I have now is at least 8 years old and I know there are new models out now. The thing is its prob only been run for a total of two years in that time and at about 50% power so I know it has a good bit of life left. Maybe I can find one gently used on marketplace so they'll match, otherwise I'll just have to have a fancy new one next to an old dino

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