Seeking Proof (Ap700 only success)

[Makers Marc]

As title states, I am pleading for anyone to show sustained proof of SPS/Acropora success using Kessil Ap700s ONLY in their tank.

I've combed through hundreds of posts on all forums, and most/all ppl I find that use them as a standalone, do not have pictures of sustained acropora success over 1+year.
There are many that pair them with t5s though.

Premise: Currently on my 180g I utilize 2 of these units as a standalone. In order to get par levels of 200+ 12 inches down, and at 100+ on the sandbed, the unit NEEDS to max out at 100% and be mounted 7" from the water.

While these par levels are not considered extremely high, most acros/montis that get elevated from sandbed frag rack to final placement <12 inches from water level get bleached. These frags mostly come from T5 lit tanks.

(To stay on topic, this happens even with alk= 7-7.5dkh / no3=16-24ppm /po4=.03-.07)


JUST WANT PROOF BEFORE I BAIL AND GET SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHTS!!!!

 

[Gareth elliott]

I think @Crabs McJones can answer this [emoji4]

 

[road_runner]

I used AI for 3 years had great growth.
Then used 2 ap700 for 3 years, growth was underwhelming and system did not look good.
8 months ago switched back to 3 ai hydra 52. Growth and coloration is awesome.

I loved kessil, really wanted to stick with them. But I just feel the ap700 is not the best for coral growth...too much index on the shimmering...I did not care about it neither did it benefit the coral..

So yeh, I guess my vote is not for the ap700..

 

[Makers Marc]

I think @Crabs McJones can answer this [emoji4]

Thanks for the tag. That's why I posted here, to get as many views as possible as it would be alot less in the sub forums.

 

[Makers Marc]

Dang. No one? Is there really no one with success using AP700s long term as a standalone?

 

[StingrayNYC]

For the price I would definitely pick radions over Kessil especially if you are planning acros.

 

[Makers Marc]

For the price I would definitely pick radions over Kessil especially if you are planning acros.

I actually don't care about value or price in this conversation, as frankly its irrelevant to my main question.

Is there any living human being whom has succeeded growing Acros under ap700s only, over a period of one year minimum.

 

[Guttersnipe]

I think kessils are great lights. I used to use them and loved them. That is until I started getting into sps. That’s when I stopped using them. I could never keep any sps alive.

 

[road_runner]

I think kessils are great lights. I used to use them and loved them. That is until I started getting into sps. That’s when I stopped using them. I could never keep any sps alive.

Ha ha ha. The first sentence and last are contradictory.
How is the light great if it doesnot keep sps alive?

 

[Makers Marc]

Crabs had some success after Pming each other. So that's one so far!!

 

[madweazl]

@ca1ore is running mostly Kessil if I recall correctly but I believe they're A360 variants.

 

[acro-ed]

I'm at 3 months with an AP700 over a 60g rimless. I pulled several of the acros out when I re-aquascaped but kept two of them. The tank is predominantly a giant green toadstool hosting two clowns, but there are some other corals.

As to the acros, I am not impressed. When I first got it I turned it up to 50% and it bleached one of them really badly. It is mostly recovered now and I am seeing growth, but nowhere near the growth of the ATI 8-bulb I had.

I chose the AP700 specifically because of the shimmer and the sleek look. I am still happy with it for the purpose I bought it for.

I would not buy or recommend one of these for an SPS tank. I would go Radion or Hydra, and I think any of them need t5 supplement long term to avoid shading (or spend for twice as many units as you think you need with straight LED).

I'm going to keep running it, so we'll see what those two acros look like after a year.

 

[Kyl]

I would not waste money and reward Kessil for the AP700. It was effectively EOL a year after release, and hasn't had a firmware update in like 18 months to fix some still outstanding issues. They just laugh the AP700 off when it comes up as topic on streams, etc.

Great hardware and profile, poor software and even poorer support from a "major" player.

 

[ca1ore]

@ca1ore is running mostly Kessil if I recall correctly but I believe they're A360 variants.

Yes, 360s mostly, but also some 160s and 80s. No 700. I've had no problems growing SPS with them on my frag tank and refugium; though I do run them with radions on the big display. My only real issue with them is their propensity to fail between 2 and 3 years. Probably would be less of a problem if I were a bit more disciplined about cleaning them. Consider that if you are maintenance lazy like me.

 

[Makers Marc]

I'm at 3 months with an AP700 over a 60g rimless. I pulled several of the acros out when I re-aquascaped but kept two of them. The tank is predominantly a giant green toadstool hosting two clowns, but there are some other corals.

As to the acros, I am not impressed. When I first got it I turned it up to 50% and it bleached one of them really badly. It is mostly recovered now and I am seeing growth, but nowhere near the growth of the ATI 8-bulb I had.

I chose the AP700 specifically because of the shimmer and the sleek look. I am still happy with it for the purpose I bought it for.

I would not buy or recommend one of these for an SPS tank. I would go Radion or Hydra, and I think any of them need t5 supplement long term to avoid shading (or spend for twice as many units as you think you need with straight LED).

I'm going to keep running it, so we'll see what those two acros look like after a year.

I would like to continue to share progress with you, of using the AP700s as a standalone fixture for acros.

There's no doubt that the first 18 months of my tank has endured varying levels of other stressors (Po4 /alk flux due to GFO, deaths, etc.) that can be partially blamed for my inability to grow and color up acros.

But I will know in the next 60-90 days myself, as my tank has stabilized greatly. Ive added 2 batches of corals, one set from T5 lit tank and another from Radions. Ill test po4/alk daily and will slowly acclimate corals from sandbed.

Still love to hear more experiences from others. It is sad if Kessil just forgets about the ap700 going fwd.

 

[Nick tang]

I am using ap700 and T5 the same time, the sps growing fast.

 

[Makers Marc]

I am using ap700 and T5 the same time, the sps growing fast.

you do realize Ap700 as a "standalone" is the crucial part of my post.

 

[count krunk]

good question. I have no experience but it is nice to see that the general consensus seems to be:

AP700 cannot effectively sustain an SPS dominant system as the only lighting.

 

[Makers Marc]

good question. I have no experience but it is nice to see that the general consensus seems to be:

AP700 cannot effectively sustain an SPS dominant system as the only lighting.

Well the consensus so far has insufficient survey participants for me to conclude anything at this point.

 

[road_runner]

Well the consensus so far has insufficient survey participants for me to conclude anything at this point.

Actually it shows how little ap700 is used now...you can see so many used or barley used are for sale..