Kessil A360WE, A360x, and A360x w/ Narrow Reflector Par Results...

[Doostur]

Here are my results. They are simply for reference. Down and dirty real customer testing. Nothing professional about it. Unfortunately I was unable to complete the test in my running tanks, I had no room. So I setup my QT 10g tank as my bench. I didn't bother to check any other positions since we can all agree, Kessils, especially the 360x have excellent and even distribution. The only fair comparison I could come up with was to use the manual knobs and use 50% color as a reference at 50% intensity and 100% intensity.

- Using a Seneye Par Meter 6 inches under waterline.
- Both A360WE & 360x were tested 8 inches above the water line.
- Tested using manual knobs. Color remained at 50% color for all tests. First test 50% intensity, second test 100% intensity.
- Last pair of tests I added the narrow reflector to the 360x and I was BLOWN AWAY by the results.

A360WE @ 50% color and 50% intensity = 131 Par, 4847 Lux, 71% Pur.
A360WE @ 50% color and 100% intensity = 285 Par, 10553 Lux, 70% Pur.

A360x @ 50% color and 50% intensity = 103 Par, 3819 Lux, 71% Pur.
A360x @ 50% color and 100% intensity = 213 Par, 7895 Lux, 71% Pur.

A360x with Narrow Reflector @ 50% color, and 50% intensity = 290 Par, 10719 Lux, 71% Pur.
A360x with Narrow Reflector 50% Color, 100% Intensity 611 Par, 22556 LUX, 71% Pur

The filter resulted in 2.85x the par!! So their claim of 3x of par is completely accurate. I expect the Kessil Narrowing Filters will be sold out very soon....

I'll rerun the same tests when I mount them in my Aquatic Life T5 61 inch fixture. I'll be running 5x A360x, with 4 ATI Blue Plus Bulbs in my 180g.

@Bulk Reef Supply ... we need some of your professional data with the narrowing filter installed because I am blown away.

I'll leave my test bench setup for a couple of days. If you guys would like me to run any other tests, please let me know!!!!!!!

06/27 - BRS FINALLY DID A REVIEW

 

[Hemmdog]

Test the X with the controller with the UV cranked up. There’s massive par that can only be unleashed with the controller.

 

[Doostur]

Test the X with the controller with the UV cranked up. There’s massive par that can only be unleashed with the controller.

I have the controller. Havent opened it up yet. I'll report back. Any specific settings on the controller I should be looking to set it to? I am not familiar with the new controller at all.

 

[Hemmdog]

I have the controller. Havent opened it up yet. I'll report back. Any specific settings on the controller I should be looking to set it to? I am not familiar with the new controller at all.

Try 20% color 100% intensity 80%violet/uv 25%red 15%green

 

[Foothill Corals]

I don't really understand PUR but I find it interesting that it doesn't really change?

 

[Doostur]

I don't really understand PUR but I find it interesting that it doesn't really change?

Understanding Lighting in your Reef Tank - PAR/PUR/Spectrum etc

 

[Doostur]

Try 20% color 100% intensity 80%violet/uv 25%red 15%green

Without reflector... 210 Par, 7777 Lux, 77% Pur
With reflector.... 603 Par, 22277, 77% Pur

 

[Hemmdog]

Without reflector... 210 Par, 7777 Lux, 77% Pur
With reflector.... 603 Par, 22277, 77% Pur

Awesome! That’s interesting the PUR increased!

 

[Doostur]

So the 3x strength/par increase claimed by kessil with the narrow relfector is accurate. However the footprint changes to 18x18 instead of 24x24 without the reflector.

I'm curious if the par is consistent on the outer edges of the 18x18 window or if it drops off.

 

[Hitman]

Strictly for testing purposes can the narrow reflector be tested on the 360WE?

 

[mfl74]

I too am interested (very) about the reflector as I have a 30” tall, 24”x24” cube footprint tank. Thanks for doing these tests!

On my tank the spillover is tolerable and maybe seems worse because I purposely built a taller stand, so I may go get that reflector to try out.

Aside from the reflector information, I was surprised why the new 360X PAR was pretty significantly lower than the older 360 version light.

Thanks again for the time you took to test & for posting the results!

 

[Doostur]

So the 3x strength/par increase claimed by kessil with the narrow relfector is accurate. However the footprint changes to 18x18 instead of 24x24 without the reflector.

I'm curious if the par is consistent on the outer edges of the 18x18 window or if it drops off.

At 6 inches off center, par went from about 651 @ 100% intensity to about 320. I was unable to test further accurately.

At about 1.5-2 inches off center, par actually increased to about 732.

At about 1.5-2 inches off center, with the light angled directly at the center, par was over 800. Interesting.

 

[Doostur]

Strictly for testing purposes can the narrow reflector be tested on the 360WE?

It's not meant to fit the 360we. I'm sure you can come up with something to secure it to a 360we. I do believe itll work. The LED is the same size as the 360x. I used some tape to much it up. Let me see if I can get some results. I need to break down my test station. Wifey says its clean up time!

 

[SneakyTortuga]

I too am interested (very) about the reflector as I have a 30” tall, 24”x24” cube footprint tank. Thanks for doing these tests!

On my tank the spillover is tolerable and maybe seems worse because I purposely built a taller stand, so I may go get that reflector to try out.

Aside from the reflector information, I was surprised why the new 360X PAR was pretty significantly lower than the older 360 version light.

Thanks again for the time you took to test & for posting the results!

This is a super clean tank! [emoji1362] well done

 

[Doostur]

Strictly for testing purposes can the narrow reflector be tested on the 360WE?

A360we, at 50% color and 100% intensity... no reflector = 347.

A360we, at 50% color and 100% intensity with reflector = 504.

A360we at 50% color and 100% intensity with reflector at 6 inches off center... about half the par.... 260ish. The 360x was about half as well. Consistent.

For $25-$30 bucks it may be worth picking up a reflector to spark some extra life in your a360we. If you can figure out a good way to mount it. Keeping in mind the heat the LEDs will produce.

 

[Hitman]

It's not meant to fit the 360we. I'm sure you can come up with something to secure it to a 360we. I do believe itll work. The LED is the same size as the 360x. I used some tape to much it up. Let me see if I can get some results. I need to break down my test station. Wifey says its clean up time!

I was just wondering because without the reflector the WE was still stronger the the X, so it had me thinking if the X is stronger the the WE with the reflector how much strong would the WE be then the X if one mounted the reflector to the WE.

 

[Hitman]

A360we, at 50% color and 100% intensity... no reflector = 347.

A360we, at 50% color and 100% intensity with reflector = 504.

A360we at 50% color and 100% intensity with reflector at 6 inches off center... about half the par.... 260ish. The 360x was about half as well. Consistent.

For $25-$30 bucks it may be worth picking up a reflector to spark some extra life in your a360we. If you can figure out a good way to mount it. Keeping in mind the heat the LEDs will produce.

Very interesting! Thank you for some awesome information!!!

 

[dbjonesjr]

This is great information. Just got my club's PAR meter so I will be doing some testing as well once my controller and reflector arrive! How do you like the way the addition of violet looks to the color?

 

[Doostur]

So my par readings with the 360x and narrow Reflector were nearly 625-650 all the way down the line if I set my 360x 12-14 inches apart.

Due to par dropping by half at 6 inches off center. Two lights overlapping resulted in 6 inches off center being 650ish. While directly under, also being 650.

So for perfect coverage on a 72 inch long tank, you need 5 or 6 360x, depending on how you wanted to deal with the left and right outer edges of tank.

 

[mfl74]

So my par readings with the 360x and narrow Reflector were nearly 625-650 all the way down the line if I set my 360x 12-14 inches apart.

Due to par dropping by half at 6 inches off center. Two lights overlapping resulted in 6 inches off center being 650ish. While directly under, also being 650.

So for perfect coverage on a 72 inch long tank, you need 5 or 6 360x, depending on how you wanted to deal with the left and right outer edges of tank.

Doostur: Thanks again for all the work put into this and posting to help others.

Tonight I was trying to set up a basic light cycle (or find one pre-programmed) where I could basically tell it to turn on at say 10:30am and turn off at 11:30pm with the moon light on until say 1:00am or something. I tried unsuccessfully so at least for tonight I stopped messing with it.

Can anyone help?

I don’t want to ruin this thread on the testing but I thought most people reading this might be 360x owners with more experience than mine with the spectral controller... so please PM me if you can. Thanks much!