Kessil 360x

[xmas]

My new tank is 24 x24x60 purchasing 4 kessil 360x. The research shows it will have the same color spectrum in the blues as the t5. After hours of research I've come up with I don't need t5 on the new tank

If it mimics the t5 exactly ...Technically I don't have to supplement t5 on my new tank correct???

 

[DFR]

Correct, you won’t need to supplement with T5s. Also on a 5’ tank you’ll be fine with 3 kessils. If just running softies or fish only, even 2 will be fine.

 

[madweazl]

Correct, you won’t need to supplement with T5s. Also on a 5’ tank you’ll be fine with 3 kessils. If just running softies or fish only, even 2 will be fine.

No, this just isn't the case. You'll want at least four on a 150g tank.

 

[DFR]

No, this just isn't the case. You'll want at least four on a 150g tank.

You’re right, but ONLY if you are planning on cramming it with high intensity demanding SPS. For a mixed reef 3 is more than adequate, softies 2 is fine.

 

[madweazl]

You’re right, but ONLY if you are planning on cramming it with high intensity demanding SPS. For a mixed reef 3 is more than adequate, softies 2 is fine.

For SPS, you'll want even more.

 

[DFR]

With the recommended 2’x2’ footprint these lights will average 150parr in the upper 12” of the tank (which increases as distance to light is decreased) with readings going to the high 300s. Providing you don’t try to put your acros on the sandbed they will be fine with 1 light spaced every 2’.
But just out of curiosity, what are you basing your comments on?

 

[madweazl]

With the recommended 2’x2’ footprint these lights will average 150parr in the upper 12” of the tank (which increases as distance to light is decreased) with readings going to the high 300s. Providing you don’t try to put your acros on the sandbed they will be fine with 1 light spaced every 2’.
But just out of curiosity, what are you basing your comments on?

I actually have the lights and have measured the PAR. PAR is only one part of the story though; you also have to actually get meaning[ful] levels of light to all that area.

 

[DFR]

Time will tell as this light is still new. But to the operator’s question you will be fine without t5 supplementation.

 

[Daniel Waters]

My new tank is 24 x24x60 purchasing 4 kessil 360x. The research shows it will have the same color spectrum in the blues as the t5. After hours of research I've come up with I don't need t5 on the new tank

If it mimics the t5 exactly ...Technically I don't have to supplement t5 on my new tank correct???

The kessils can grow coral, so you don't necessarily "need" T5 supplementation. Some people add T5s in with their LEDs for various reasons. For instance, I run T5s with my kessils because I find the shimmer is too much with just the kessil lights. Some people add in T5s because it might be cheaper to supplement with T5s than having to buy more led units. Some people prefer the diffuse nature of the light from T5s. Some people like the simplicity of T5s. I'm sure there are other reasons in addition to these.

Depending on what corals you want to keep (and where in the tank) and your mounting height of the kessils, the number of pucks you need will vary. You might be able to get by with two pucks in a softie system due to the wide angle lens, but you'll appreciate additional pucks because it just illuminates the tank that much better. I would think you would be in fine shape with 4 units on a 60" long tank for a mixed reef. For a LPS and softie tank, 3 units would probably suffice. If you want sps packed at all areas and depths in your tank, i would agree with @madweazl that you would need additional units.

 

[Hemmdog]

T5’s really help with corals suffering from shadowing. That’s why I supplement them with my kessils. If you pack to many X’s to close you will have overlap and have spots that burn coral in your tank, like people experience with blackboxes. So that’s kinda defeating the purpose of getting a $500 light. I’d do 3 for now and look into a hybrid as your lighting needs evolve.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Kessils don't mimic T5 exacly...

T5 supplement is always good once corals grow in. Single point lights(Like LEDs) create a lot of shadows in the tank, which is great for shimmer and contrast, but larger corals tend to die on the bottom from lack of light. They basically shadow themselves, like a big shade tree kills lower branches because the sun just can't get down to them. T5 creates a flat blanket of light which has no shimmer and very little contrast, but is great for getting light to the bottom of larger corals.

Starting out you will be just fine with what you have.

 

[Madmanmadrid]

Seeing the t5 with the new kessil x it looks similar. A slight shift in color depending what colors you pick for the t5. I prefer the look of the t5 with the ex's for the shadowing issue that was previously mentioned.

 

[madweazl]

For what it's worth, our 150g has a 48" AquaticLife Hybrid and four Kessils with the intent of keeping a mixed reef. In contrast, our 75g has a 48" AquaticLife with two Kessils and I'd say it's about just right.

Some data I've captured on the X to this point. Dont look too much into the PAR results but do know that this was in an empty tank with the Seneye sensor under one inch of water at the bottom of the tank.

Edit: forgot to add that the X was mounted 2.25" in the results below which is closer than I'd actually run them over a tank.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

For what it's worth, our 150g has a 48" AquaticLife Hybrid and four Kessils with the intent of keeping a mixed reef. In contrast, our 75g has a 48" AquaticLife with two Kessils and I'd say it's about just right.

Some data I've captured on the X to this point. Dont look too much into the PAR results but do know that this was in an empty tank with the Seneye sensor under one inch of water at the bottom of the tank.

Edit: forgot to add that the X was mounted 2.25" in the results below which is closer than I'd actually run them over a tank.

Was that the 150 with all 4 360Xs over it? Or just one? This is a standard 150, 60x24x24?

 

[lancesmith1]

I know everyone keeps poo pooing the low PAR on these lights... But at some point isn't it the "is what it is" quote. That is some low PAR.

 

[madweazl]

Was that the 150 with all 4 360Xs over it? Or just one? This is a standard 150, 60x24x24?

That is just a single but it wasn't an attempt to capture accurate PAR numbers. I was actually testing the lens on the X vs the WE; the X can be mounted 3.5" lower than the WE and still cover the same footprint as the WE. Doing this increases the PAR by a good margin as well (roughly 50% in this case). And yes, standard 60x24x24.

 

[lancesmith1]

Roger that

 

[lancesmith1]

I have not seen one but I think the violet control would be a really nice enhancement. I love the concept and shimmer.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

That is just a single but it wasn't an attempt to capture accurate PAR numbers. I was actually testing the lens on the X vs the WE; the X can be mounted 3.5" lower than the WE and still cover the same footprint as the WE. Doing this increases the PAR by a good margin as well (roughly 50% in this case). And yes, standard 60x24x24.

Noted... I'm currently setting up a nano and was thinking of a 360X for the light. I have 3 160s with T5 over my 36" 90g and love them. Thank you for pointing out that you can up the par by lowering the light while still covering the same area. That is quite handy. How is the UV channel, could it be used as a night light or is it too bright?

 

[madweazl]

It's still pretty bright even at 1%. How nano is the nano? At 2.25" above the tank it hits the top of the front and back panes of the 150g.