SR-80 and Kessils

Toby The Puffer · Feb 7, 2026

Hi all,

I am in the planning/purchasing stages for my upcoming Innovative Marine SR-80 build. I've got the tank preordered and currently have two kessil 360XEs. I was wondering what people's recommendations/experience have been with these lights on a shallower tank. The plan for this system is a mixed reef, plenty of acros, but likely not "acro dominant". Something like my previous tank pictured here:

What the question really comes down to is this: how many kessils do I need for a tank that measures about 48x18x16? Do I absolutely need supplemental light?

Indiana Reefin · Feb 7, 2026

Kessils are great especially for shallower tanks. Plenty of power and if you are worried about too much PAR just lower the intensity and or raise your lights up higher. I still think Kessil is the most user friendly lights, you really can’t mess the spectrum up. And the shimmer is amazing.

I don’t think you need another Kessil. 2 for that shallow of a tank is plenty especially at first. Once your acros stat to grow in you could add another 360 or add some AI blades.

NanoSteam · Feb 7, 2026

Yes! Another SR-80 tank joining us, make sure to make a build thread and I agree with @Indiana Reefin two will be enough since you're going with the 360's but since they are basically single source light, you'll benefit with a supplemental light bar.

Toby The Puffer · Feb 7, 2026

Indiana Reefin said:
Kessils are great especially for shallower tanks. Plenty of power and if you are worried about too much PAR just lower the intensity and or raise your lights up higher. I still think Kessil is the most user friendly lights, you really can’t mess the spectrum up. And the shimmer is amazing.

I don’t think you need another Kessil. 2 for that shallow of a tank is plenty especially at first. Once your acros stat to grow in you could add another 360 or add some AI blades.

Awesome, thanks for the input!

NanoSteam said:
Yes! Another SR-80 tank joining us, make sure to make a build thread and I agree with @Indiana Reefin two will be enough since you're going with the 360's but since they are basically single source light, you'll benefit with a supplemental light bar.

I was thinking about blades for supplemental light, but I haven't found a great example of how to mount them together.

Also, I will definitely make sure to start a build thread! Won't be getting anything wet until later in April, maybe May.

minus9 · Feb 7, 2026

If you want supplemental lighting, then look into Quanta Helix, but you'll probably have to come of with a light rack to mount all of the lights on if you want a clean look. The sps (acropora) you keep the more Kessil's you'll need. I love Kessil's, but the form factor has flaws, which you overcome by adding more of them or LED bars, there's no way around it.

Kodski · Feb 7, 2026

I'd run two 360's and a Quanta Helix bar for shading. I had a similar setup over my Seapora 80 gallon frag tank for a little while and loved it. Then one of my 360's went out and I switched to T5's.

minus9 · Feb 7, 2026

Kodski said:
I'd run two 360's and a Quanta Helix bar for shading. I had a similar setup over my Seapora 80 gallon frag tank for a little while and loved it. Then one of my 360's went out and I switched to T5's.

If I went all bars, then I would do a helix combo.

Indiana Reefin · Feb 7, 2026

Once again. I think the hybrid lighting setup is a great idea but I think it’s overkill right now. Save your money and add those later. You don’t need that much light to start out with.

Kodski · Feb 7, 2026

minus9 said:
If I went all bars, then I would do a helix combo.

I'm going with Halides on my upcoming build. If I were to replace those I'd certainly go with a Helix combo as well. Maybe, and I mean maybe, I'd add a few of Quanta's Atlas fixtures with bars. But I just don't see the need unless I had a super deep tank or really wanted a white look.

minus9 · Feb 7, 2026

Kodski said:
I'm going with Halides on my upcoming build. If I were to replace those I'd certainly go with a Helix combo as well. Maybe, and I mean maybe, I'd add a few of Quanta's Atlas fixtures with bars. But I just don't see the need unless I had a super deep tank or really wanted a white look.

I have a single Atlas with two meso blues over my 36x36x16. This combo replace two 250w RB fixtures and 3 meso blues. I love halides and I would use them on a farm tank easily, but the Atlas/meso blue combo is awesome!