Should We Add Another Kessil?

[IndyReef78]

Hi! Quick question. We have a 120 gallon 4 by 2 by 2 tank with 4 T5’s and 2 Kessil A360W (tuna blue?) lights above the tank.

We are starting to expand our corals ( after about a year and a half of being up and running) into Acroporas. We’ve already got lots of softies and such, but we want to make sure that we have enough lighting for our tank size.

Should we add another Kessil? Anything else? All chemistry parameters are right on target after much work and testing, so we’re getting all our ducks in a row!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Does the tank have a center brace?

 

[IndyReef78]

Does the tank have a center brace?

Yes it does

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yes it does

Two with t5s should be good then. If it was eurobraced or not braced I'd add a third in the center.

 

[IndyReef78]

Are there any other lighting recommendations that you have? When you asked about the brace, I immediately realized that would be an issue, but maybe there are other types of lighting add-ons that we should be considering?

 

[jda]

2 more T5s? I hate center braces.

You can also follow the Direct Light Index which says that 10 hours at 300 PAR is like 12 hours at 250. You have to stay within reason... like not wanting to do 1 hour at 3000 PAR or 20 hours at 150 PAR, but you can just run the existing lightings a few hours longer if you don't feel that you have enough.

Do you have any PAR readings where you want to keep the SPS? 4x T5s should be OK for most if in the upper half. 6x could get nearly all if you keep the higher light ones at the top and the lower light ones near the bottom. However, this is just a "should" without having a light meter.

 

[IndyReef78]

2 more T5s? I hate center braces.

You can also follow the Direct Light Index which says that 10 hours at 300 PAR is like 12 hours at 250. You have to stay within reason... like not wanting to do 1 hour at 3000 PAR or 20 hours at 150 PAR, but you can just run the existing lightings a few hours longer if you don't feel that you have enough.

Do you have any PAR readings where you want to keep the SPS? 4x T5s should be OK for most if in the upper half. 6x could get nearly all if you keep the higher light ones at the top and the lower light ones near the bottom. However, this is just a "should" without having a light meter.

I appreciate the info. I do not currently have a par meter, but that may be in our near future. Is there a way to add more T5’s to an Aquatic Life Hybrid fixture?

 

[Style185]

Just add your sps in the upper part of your scape ( if possible). I have the same thing with my tank I have 2 A360x and plan on keeping mostly "easier" sps. If need be I'll retro it out with t5 but I dont see it being an issue. Do you have experience with stylos, digitata, montis ect.... imo a beautiful beginner sps and are pretty hardy. Anyhow happy reefing :)

 

[vangvace]

I appreciate the info. I do not currently have a par meter, but that may be in our near future. Is there a way to add more T5’s to an Aquatic Life Hybrid fixture?

You should be able to frankenstein something together with another Aquatic Life fixture and turn it into an 8 bulb setup.

But before you do that, reach out to your local fish stores and clubs in your area. They might have a PAR meter to rent.

 

[jda]

I don't know if you can fit more bulbs in. If it were me, I would sell it all and get an ATI 6 or 8 bulb if you want to focus on acropora. You can squarely put me into the group that does not think that Kessils are up to the task for acropora when being heavily relied upon. I have no issue with Kessils over other types of coral. Many disagree, so do yourself a favor and don't listen to me too much.

You did mention acropora, but it is different if you want MBP&S since they are like weeds compared to acropora both in the amount of light needed, but growth rate and ease of care.