Kessil A500x mounting issue

[Grasshopper04]

In formal living room.

Some seating areas around, how high is the stand?

Things to consider are whether or not the glare from a wider reflector will catch your eye and interfere.

If you're sitting adjacent the tank, and you have a bright light above you, will it spill into your field of view and create an issue?

Might just need to play around with it once you get it built. Maybe buy or rent a PAR meter too.

You're right between the 55 and reflectorless options. Turn it on adjust and see what feels right.

Here’s the view from the front door. The closer of the two seats might get some overspill.

In second photo, the bottom of the level I’m holding would be the top of the tank.

 

[coreytrv]

Seating is close to, and below the tank. Will definitely see light spill, but how much will have to be seen in the field.

Can you adjust the mounting setup before you make it permanent? Just hang them, turn them on dry, and look at the light beam at different heights.

Do you have the lights yet?

Found 3D printed light cones that might be cool to increase cutoff distance. Could use a reflector inside the cone if glae is an issue.

Kessil A360X Light Shade

Experience the next level of aquarium lighting with the Kessil A360X Light Shade. Precision control, seamless attachment, and optimal cooling. Dive into Printed Reef today!

printedreef.com

 

[minus9]

I'm not a fan of the shades in these situations, I would suggest the Kessil 55 degree lens if you have to use one or build a floating canopy that will help mitigate light spill. My issue with the shades is light loss, as the light isn't redirected with reflectors, so you're losing light, as black is a poor reflector of light.

 

[coreytrv]

I'm not a fan of the shades in these situations, I would suggest the Kessil 55 degree lens if you have to use one or build a floating canopy that will help mitigate light spill. My issue with the shades is light loss, as the light isn't redirected with reflectors, so you're losing light, as black is a poor reflector of light.

The shade was suggested as a potential way to increase cutoff due to close proximity of seating adjacent to, and below the fixture. I agree it should be used in conjunction with a 55 degree reflector, if at all, and only if glare is an issue. *This was suggested as a workaround to a canopy, which he also wants to hold off on.

I just did a test on my arm mounted kessil A360x, now that has a narrower reflector than the OP's A500x, and glare is an issue when sitting close to and below the tank on the A360x.

Here is chair height, about 3' away from the tank. The reflector shields your eye from the intense LED glare.

Now here is about 2' away from the tank, tough to tell on photos, but you can see the lens flair. It is visibly intrusive and intense to the eye. @Grasshopper04 based on the photo of your living room, you risk light pollution at the seating around the tank without a reflector, and or shield.

 

[Grasshopper04]

That’s my friend’s shop and the mounts that I was talking about, nice find! Also, if you want to add LED bars, I would highly recommend the Quanta Helix bars, they have simple 0-10v dimming and an awesome spectrum.

Oh man! My 8020 stuff is arriving today, and I just realized I had forgotten to order the 3D printed brackets. I went back to the link, and it's giving a 404. Trying to navigate to 3D printed accessories gives no results. I hope it's still possible to get these...

Did you say it was the shop of @neonreef3d ?

 

[minus9]

Oh man! My 8020 stuff is arriving today, and I just realized I had forgotten to order the 3D printed brackets. I went back to the link, and it's giving a 404. Trying to navigate to 3D printed accessories gives no results. I hope it's still possible to get these...

Did you say it was the shop of @neonreef3d ?

There may be a site error, I would reach out to @neonreef3d directly.

 

[Grasshopper04]

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback, particularly @minus9! Here is the rack I ended up building with 1.5” 8020. If I want to add some supplemental lights on the side in the future I can use those slots easily.

 

[minus9]

Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback, particularly @minus9! Here is the rack I ended up building with 1.5” 8020. If I want to add some supplemental lights on the side in the future I can use those slots easily.

Nice! Throw some Quanta helix bars on there and you have everything you need to grow healthy coral.

 

[Grasshopper04]

Why quanta helix in particular? I’ve not looked into supplemental lighting yet. I’m introducing some basic corals now, but I do want a full mixed reef including SPS at some point.

 

[minus9]

Why quanta helix in particular? I’ve not looked into supplemental lighting yet. I’m introducing some basic corals now, but I do want a full mixed reef including SPS at some point.

Sorry, I was thinking in the future if you decide you need to add more lighting, Quanta would be my choice. For the money, spectrum and ease of use, I don’t know of another LED bar that gives what the Quanta helix does. Watch the latest Reef Therapy by Reef builders, as Luca (Quanta) was the guest. I love Kessil’s, they’re great lights (not cheap) and nothing else (LED) gives you what they do, shimmer, contrast and a great spectrum. But point source lighting comes at a cost, which is why I love mixing them with other LED fixtures, mainly Quanta bars.

 

[Grasshopper04]

Oh yeah the downside of the Kessils is the point illumination so I’ve always assumed at some point as I build out my corals I would need to supplement with something with a more broad cast. I’ll research those as an option, thank you.