Kessil AP700

Mr_Banana_Pants

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I just purchased a new tank. It's 36 x 18 x 18. I was looking at lighting for it, and was wondering if it's worth spending the extra money for the kessil ap700. I was curious if anyone has used it and what their thoughts are on the color, spread, and growth?
 

bif24701

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Color, spread, and growth have been fantastic. Very happy with my choice for lighting on my 180, have two mounted ~7" from the water. I assume that the shimmer is one of your reasons for choosing the AP700, and of course it's perfect. The spread is great, no hot spots and light is driven downward to the sandbed well, and reduces harsh shadows.

The fixture has had some issues with the apps however now those issues have all need resolved.

For your size display this is the perfect LED.

1299849624ddf9391dcf8aa702814ab4.jpg

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Just cellphone pictures but as you can see growth isn't a problem, nor is color. You can grow anything.
 

Scorpius

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If you're going to be into SPS hardcore you'll end up supplementing with T5's sooner or later to reduce shadowing.
 

bif24701

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That is totally false. You don't NEED to supplement with T5s at all. Some do choose to, but take it from a guy whom actually owns these fixture. I did add two 60" T5s to my system because T5s and LEDs are the best combo going right now and I have a huge double pane glass center brace covering a 1/3 of the top that blocks some light in the center. Even with that glass the AP700s alone still gave me +100 PAR at the sand in the center.

My feelings on lighting are hybreed systems are the best possible. So why not have the best LEDs and T5s, the two best lighting systems today.
 

Scorpius

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That is totally false. You don't NEED to supplement with T5s at all. Some do choose to, but take it from a guy whom actually owns these fixture. I did add two 60" T5s to my system because T5s and LEDs are the best combo going right now and I have a huge double pane glass center brace covering a 1/3 of the top that blocks some light in the center. Even with that glass the AP700s alone still gave me +100 PAR at the sand in the center.

My feelings on lighting are hybreed systems are the best possible. So why not have the best LEDs and T5s, the two best lighting systems today.

Guess you haven't watched BRS's 160 build where they added T5's to their Kessil AP700's. Do what you want with your lighting, but the AP700's still produce shadowing albeit less than my A360we's. If you get into branching SPS you'll get shadowing with the AP700 and will need T5's to reduce the shadowing.

If you look at bif24701's photo's you can see the shadows on his branching SPS. Those areas will bleach out and necrosis sooner or later without light. T5's help fix this.

It's just the nature of point source lighting.
 

zoasaholic

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I really like the clean look of this lights,i don't have much of sps therefore can't command on that
Here're a few pictures.
Tank 36X24X20



IMG_0283.JPG


IMG_0277.JPG
 

Water Dog

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I recently got a really good deal on an AP700 that was used for just 3 months. It will be going over a tank of similar dimensions to yours at 36x18x21. This tank will be all SPS... acros and millies. Initially while the tank is just young frags, I will be exclusely running the AP700. However, as the tank matures down the line, I fully expect that I will need to supplement with T5s and will build a floating canopy similar to the BRS160. I've already purchased a few Philips Advance Centium programmed start T5 ballasts for the occasion.
 

saltyfilmfolks

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I just purchased a new tank. It's 36 x 18 x 18. I was looking at lighting for it, and was wondering if it's worth spending the extra money for the kessil ap700. I was curious if anyone has used it and what their thoughts are on the color, spread, and growth?
I really like the clean look of this lights,i don't have much of sps therefore can't command on that
Here're a few pictures.
Tank 36X24X20



IMG_0283.JPG


IMG_0277.JPG

This is how to mount it to avoid shadowing the best.

You'll have to ask @bif24701 the par on it full up. You should be able to deliver 500+ Par to the top of the tank at that distance.
 

bif24701

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I recently got a really good deal on an AP700 that was used for just 3 months. It will be going over a tank of similar dimensions to yours at 36x18x21. This tank will be all SPS... acros and millies. Initially while the tank is just young frags, I will be exclusely running the AP700. However, as the tank matures down the line, I fully expect that I will need to supplement with T5s and will build a floating canopy similar to the BRS160. I've already purchased a few Philips Advance Centium programmed start T5 ballasts for the occasion.



Sounds like a great plan
 

bif24701

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Guess you haven't watched BRS's 160 build where they added T5's to their Kessil AP700's. Do what you want with your lighting, but the AP700's still produce shadowing albeit less than my A360we's. If you get into branching SPS you'll get shadowing with the AP700 and will need T5's to reduce the shadowing.

If you look at bif24701's photo's you can see the shadows on his branching SPS. Those areas will bleach out and necrosis sooner or later without light. T5's help fix this.

It's just the nature of point source lighting.

I've already shown that with the overlapping light from each Dense Matrix Array and reflected bouncing around the tank acros and other SPS don't even need direct light to live.

I guess you didn't see the BRS video where they compared the illumination/shadowing of a coral insert with other LEDs and even mentioned how it was similar to the T5, save you guys the suspense, Kessil AP700 was the victor. Literal proof that theory is wrong.
 

bif24701

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This is how to mount it to avoid shadowing the best.

You'll have to ask @bif24701 the par on it full up. You should be able to deliver 500+ Par to the top of the tank at that distance.

@ 7" above the water I got +200 all over my 1" sandbed @ 70%. I've never actually tested the light at the 100% because it was already producing more than enough light for my needs @85% LOL.

If you want 600 PAR I'm sure that won't be a problem @100%

I used a Neptune PMK, basically an Apogee 210, in fact its manufactured in cooperation with Apogee.
 

Scorpius

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I've already shown that with the overlapping light from each Dense Matrix Array and reflected bouncing around the tank acros and other SPS don't even need direct light to live.

I guess you didn't see the BRS video where they compared the illumination/shadowing of a coral insert with other LEDs and even mentioned how it was similar to the T5, save you guys the suspense, Kessil AP700 was the victor. Literal proof that theory is wrong.
Since you know so much why did you even start this thread?
 

nbagnardi

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i own 2 ap700's about 7" over a reefer 450 and I'm using slight diffusers and almost hitting 70%. i can keep anything from SPS to softies under these bad boys. however, i am getting slight shadowing but thats mostly due to my choice in sand color, i chose black. so with any lighting, thats going to happen. @Mr_Banana_Pants i think you'll LOVE this light. its so easy, no bullcrap of dialing in reds, greens, yellows, uv, cool, blue, dark blue, emerald green, peacock yellow... etc.

IMG_6054.JPG
 

HolisticBear

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Great tank. I'm also following this thread, appreciate the info. I'm deciding between AP700, Mitras, or ??? for a reefer 170. Want to avoid the shadowing + disco ball I get with my AI Prime (a great light for the money, just want upgrade)
 

nbagnardi

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Great tank. I'm also following this thread, appreciate the info. I'm deciding between AP700, Mitras, or ??? for a reefer 170. Want to avoid the shadowing + disco ball I get with my AI Prime (a great light for the money, just want upgrade)
thanks man, where in NY are you? I'm right outside of albany.
 

HolisticBear

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thanks man, where in NY are you? I'm right outside of albany.

I'm in NYC, looking forward to Reefapalooza next month. I figure all the lights will be on display, I'll just pick whatever looks the best. Are you coming down for the show?
 

nbagnardi

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I'm in NYC, looking forward to Reefapalooza next month. I figure all the lights will be on display, I'll just pick whatever looks the best. Are you coming down for the show?
I'm debating, i just went to RAP in Orlando in the beginning of the month. its a hike from Albany, and i HATE long car rides. but seeing some people you only see a couple times a year is pretty awesome. its 50/50
 

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