Kessil 360X Light Intensity for Shallow Tank

[CJ Monty]

I started an IM 25 Lagoon a few months ago and I’m currently running a Kessil A360X that I had from a previous tank. I know it’s probably more light than this tank really needs, but since I already had it I figured I’d make it work.

Recently I noticed my blasto starting to bleach, which has me wondering if my intensity might be too high.

For context:

• Tank depth: 11.5”
• Light height: 8” above the water
• Corals: softies + LPS
• Schedule: 1-8-1 ramp up/down
• Color: 15% (I prefer a bluer look)
• Intensity: ?

While researching PAR numbers for the A360X, I’ve found wildly different outputs online, so it’s been hard to dial in the intensity. Trying to avoid getting a par meter.

For this setup, what intensity and schedule would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Hairyteeth]

I would run the light at a higher height and lower intensity imo
You can always set the light at a low intensity like 15-25% or less
And do a long acclimation ramp

 

[CJ Monty]

I would run the light at a higher height and lower intensity imo
You can always set the light at a low intensity like 15-25% or less
And do a long acclimation ramp

Wonder how I figure how I hit the sweet spot without getting a par meter. I was going to get one of the 120 ones on amazon but I heard the accuracy is hit or miss.

 

[slingfox]

Wonder how I figure how I hit the sweet spot without getting a par meter. I was going to get one of the 120 ones on amazon but I heard the accuracy is hit or miss.

If you have a local or regional reef club they often have par meters available for members.

 

[Marco_99]

Wonder how I figure how I hit the sweet spot without getting a par meter. I was going to get one of the 120 ones on amazon but I heard the accuracy is hit or miss.

 

[Marco_99]

I ran 4 kessils with 4 T5’s over a 4x2x2 and at 70% intensity it was cooking at an 8.5 inch height above water to curb excessive light spill. If I was going at around a 9 inch height on a 12 inch deep tank I would probably be around a 25-30% intensity but I don’t know what you have for corals.

 

[Hairyteeth]

There’s a phone app par meter that I’m told is with 5%, brs has also done par readings on those lights and there’s a video somewher
But the app is recommended as it will be closer, difference in water motion does a lot

 

[Sdbuehler1]

I’m running two Kessil A360x over my IM 40 Lagoon (35 in L x 19.7 W x 13 H) which are mounted 12 inches above the water. I wouldn’t normally use this light for this setup due to its cost but I had them left over from upgrading lights on my other tanks. IMO these lights are pretty weak when used as a single as the par trails off significantly for anything not directly under the light. I purchased the 35 degree reflector which is an amazing enhancement as it narrows all the extra light spill and really ramps up the par. I’m running both lights with intensity set at 40% , Blue 80, White 20, Violet 80 for the main hours and I get about 100-200 par in most spots of the tank. With a single light and no reflector I think you could easily push 50% intensity without the par getting too high but I would not put the blasto directly under this light and instead position it off to the side.

 

[CJ Monty]

I’m running two Kessil A360x over my IM 40 Lagoon (35 in L x 19.7 W x 13 H) which are mounted 12 inches above the water. I wouldn’t normally use this light for this setup due to its cost but I had them left over from upgrading lights on my other tanks. IMO these lights are pretty weak when used as a single as the par trails off significantly for anything not directly under the light. I purchased the 35 degree reflector which is an amazing enhancement as it narrows all the extra light spill and really ramps up the par. I’m running both lights with intensity set at 40% , Blue 80, White 20, Violet 80 for the main hours and I get about 100-200 par in most spots of the tank. With a single light and no reflector I think you could easily push 50% intensity without the par getting too high but I would not put the blasto directly under this light and instead position it off to the side.

Thanks! I was considering the reflector. What do you mean by blue 80 and white 20. My settings have intensity, color (controls how blue), violet, red and green.

 

[Sdbuehler1]

Thanks! I was considering the reflector. What do you mean by blue 80 and white 20. My settings have intensity, color (controls how blue), violet, red and green.

I’m using the Apex to control with iota but the kessel app should be similar. At 9 AM overall intensity is 40% and then the color spectrum is set via the slider bars below.

 

[Marco_99]

I’m using the Apex to control with iota but the kessel app should be similar. At 9 AM overall intensity is 40% and then the color spectrum is set via the slider bars below.

That’s not how kessils work. The spectrum is pre baked in, you can’t change it. If you have a controller or dongle you can change red, green, violet, otherwise there is just intensity and a general color knob

 

[Sdbuehler1]

That’s not how kessils work. The spectrum is pre baked in, you can’t change it. If you have a controller or dongle you can change red, green, violet, otherwise there is just intensity and a general color knob

Yes I was assuming they had the dongle, without it you’re just guessing with the knobs.

 

[CJ Monty]

Yes I was assuming they had the dongle, without it you’re just guessing with the knobs.

Yes I have the wifi dongle

 

[minus9]

I just use their quick set or tune blue schedule and modify it to my preference. I do 12hr total cycle with 2h ramp up/down. I always match the violet channel to the intensity and I use 5% red and green if the color is less than 35-50%, for a more "daylight" spectrum, I use 10-15% red and green. The intensity is going to be based on the corals you're keeping. I think you're safe with 30-60% intensity during peak hours, but as I mentioned (and others too) it's completely based on the animals you're keeping. I have a single 360x over my 25g ext lagoon and I'm around 65%, but that works for what I'm keeping. 8" is about the sweet spot for that tank, but you can go a little higher and be okay, but that depends where the tank is located and your viewing angle?