How many Kessils for an sps dominate tank?

[Peter K]

Hello all,

I am coming to you all for some help in regards to the lighting over our 180 gallon reef. The tank dimensions are 72" x 24" x 24" and currently we have (3) A360WE's above the tank spread about 1.5 feet part that run ramp up and run at 100% intensity for 8 hours a day with max color at 60% and about 6 inches off the surface. We currently have been getting more into SPS but only have them in the upper half of the tank, they are all doing well in terms of poly extension and have been growing nicely, however, we are running out of space and looking to get some more punch down to the lower half of the tank as well. My conundrum is what else should we use for lighting, I've narrowed it down to three choices but can't decide which would be the most effective.

Option 1: Adding two more 360's on the ends of the tank where our two rock islands are (channel in the center of the tank so no need for three additional 360's) - then probably dialing back the intensity in a big way.
Option 2: Adding two 160's for a less expensive option
Option 3: Adding two 80 W T5's above the tank

I've posted a picture of our aquascape below and the red dots are currently the locations of all SPS frags we have in the system - most acro's / high lights corals are towards the top but we would really like to be able to mount stuff lower. Thank you all ahead of time, any insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Add two more 360s. It'll be better looking all the way around and also help with shadowing issues.

A couple t5 aren't going to do that much for par and really imo wouldn't look that great on that display.

 

[Peter K]

Add two more 360s. It'll be better looking all the way around and also help with shadowing issues.

A couple t5 aren't going to do that much for par and really imo wouldn't look that great on that display.

That's a good point about the T5's. We also plan on upgrading in the future to a bigger tank so two 360's is probably the cheapest option in the long term when I think about it, thank you for response it's very helpful to hear other peoples opinions and insights!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

You're welcome !

 

[BoomCorals]

Agree with salty, go 5 A360we. I have 3 over a 4' frag tank and it's perfect.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Gosh. That much light. A clam would be pretty happy on the sand there.

 

[Peter K]

Gosh. That much light. A clam would be pretty happy on the sand there.

We have a maxima on the the rocks right by the sand it's really hard to see in my crappy iphone photo, been trying to figure out a good camera to get but looks like my budget for that may be going into two more kessils

 

[Peter K]

@BoomCorals Love your site by the way, we'll be placing an order with you here as soon as we get the new lights hooked up to get us some more room!

 

[Daniel Waters]

I agree with some of the other posters. I don't think adding two T5 bulbs will do much for you intensity wise. The advantage with T5 with kessils in my opinion is to reduce shadowing from the LEDs and helps reduce the shimmer if you find it too much.

I would add additional 360s versus the 160s. 5 total should be great coverage. You can always raise them up a bit higher or reduce intensity if it's too much.

 

[Peter K]

Just got the 4th Kessil 360 hooked up the other day. I left the original 3 on their programming and am running the 4th at a ramp up to 35% intensity for now and will increase over the coming weeks. I have to say I'm very glad you all convinced me to go with the 360's, things look great and I didn't realize quite how much shadowing I was getting with only 3 until I added the 4th. Now I honestly am thinking about adding 2 more for a total of six down the road . Thanks for everyone's input I greatly appreciate it!

 

[Triggreef]

I have 4 360 on my 3' x 4' tank. I also have 2 photon 32 on the tank and I think its just right. If I got rid of the photons I think I'd need at least 2 more kessil. If not 4.

 

[Scorpius]

For SPS especially Acropora 1-A360we per foot of tank.

 

[BoomCorals]

For SPS especially Acropora 1-A360we per foot of tank.

Cheaper option is one AP700 per every 3' of tank.

 

[K100286]

Agreee 1 ap700 per 36ln. Kessil has told me 1 ap700 is as powerful as 3-4 360's.

 

[BoomCorals]

Agreee 1 ap700 per 36ln. Kessil has told me 1 ap700 is as powerful as 3-4 360's.

As someone who has ap700 and 3 of the 360we I'd say the ap700 is stronger than two but not quite three.

 

[Peter K]

The only thing that is keeping me from the ap700 is in a tank with braces the flexibility of the 360's to place wherever and at whatever angle is super helpful, in my opinion.

 

[bif24701]

As someone who has ap700 and 3 of the 360we I'd say the ap700 is stronger than two but not quite three.

Three 360s wouldn't produce the same PAR numbers in a 36"x24" area.
It's about how much total photons are produced and a 360 couldn't light a 18x18 area as well as a AP700 to my knowledge, though I could be wrong but I have tested both.

 

[bif24701]

I also have two T5 Blue plus on my 180 with 2 AP700s but I have them off before I get home. I much more prefer the look of my display with the Kessils only.

 

[BoomCorals]

Three 360s wouldn't produce the same PAR numbers in a 36"x24" area.
It's about how much total photons are produced and a 360 couldn't light a 18x18 area as well as a AP700 to my knowledge, though I could be wrong but I have tested both.

For what it's worth, here are the PAR numbers between an AP700 and three A360WE over the same tank. Both set to 100% intensity and hung at optimum distance above the water.

ap700:

ex a360we

 

[bif24701]

For what it's worth, here are the PAR numbers between an AP700 and three A360WE over the same tank. Both set to 100% intensity and hung at optimum distance above the water.

ap700:

ex a360we

How deep were they taken and color? What's the dimension of that tank