40g Breader

[Darryl]

trying to select the best lights for a mixed reef (very few SPS) 40 g breader
36x18x18
1) 2 kessil A160s
2)2 Kessil A360s
3)1 kessil AP700
4)2 orbit marine pro
which one is the best from this list and not overkill
thanks in advance

 

[mcarroll]

None of those sound like bad options, and I think the 27" Maxspect Razor could be added to the list.

But I think I would like two of the Orbit Pros for giving the most complete coverage....but not the DUAL pack as I think those are the shorter units. Two full-36" units (model 4112).

In theory one unit should do it, so if you have a store that sells them, you could start with one....take some [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] measurements and just see how it goes.
(If you're mounting them significantly off the tank and budget isn't a big deal, I'd probably just start with two.)

 

[Darryl]

ok after talking to kessil and marine depot and....
they all seem to say the same thing.
for a 40g breader with soft, lps ,clams and limited sps
2 a160we is the way to go the 2 a360 to much would be running it at 50%max and the AP700 way overkill.
what i was impressed about is that, all are retailers and they all knew i have the buckets spend , could have BS and said i needed blah blah blah for $$$$$$$$
but did not . I AM Impressed
Thanks for all the help

 

[mcarroll]

They seem to publish next to no details about that light on their website (correct me if I have the wrong page):
http://kessil.com/aquarium/Saltwater_A160_Tuna_Blue.php

It sounds like that must come with something like a 120º lens. Do you know for sure?

If so, to get decent front-to-back coverage with minimal spillage you'll want those about 4-5" off the water.

You'll definitely want to use a [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] [HASHTAG]#meter[/HASHTAG] (or something) to help you set the intensity you want.

(20,000-80,000 lux at the surface is generally OK. 40K-50K is a good target unless you have specific requirements. More is not better.)

 

[Darryl]

ok
so 40g breader up and running with 2 A160 kessils, very happy with the lights so far running them at 65% color 65% intensity as the max giving it a week as i increase it
everything is going nuts open and growing
will post a run down and pics tomorrow
Thanks all for suggestions

 

[mcarroll]

Give us all some lux readings as you go, man! Please?

Get a free [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] [HASHTAG]#meter[/HASHTAG] app for your smartphone's camera to take some measurements right now....but while you're installing the app, also order a $15 handheld meter for later on! Much better.

 

[Darryl]

Ok at 65%color /65%intensity
8" from service at service lux=947
Midway lux=494
Bottom =402
Total"from bottom of light to bottom=25"

 

[Darryl]

More pics

 

[mcarroll]

I don't think that lux reading was right....are those foot-candle numbers or did you already convert to lux (x10)? Even if that's foot-candles the tank looks a lot brighter than that in the photos....5000 lux is very dim.

I'd check your settings - make sure the app was using the correct camera that's pointed directly at your lights - usually the front camera so you can see the readings live when the phone is pointed up at your lights.

If the settings were all right, try a different app. "Galactica luxmeter" is an iPhone app that lots of folks have had OK luck with. @saltyfilmfolks what's the android app you've tested/recommended before?

A camera's light meter is not designed to work like this, so if the software doesn't work right with the camera, you get under-reported numbers. (Free is nice, and a good way to get started, but a handheld meter - still only $15, shipped - is definitely where it's at.)

A few more things:

1. Is it possible that your little frag is cut off from good flow down in that valley between the rocks? Good flow is important for a number of reasons, but one of them is to cope with bright lighting!
2. If those are three other little coral frags in the vicinity of that anemone, move them now before the anemone whacks them. It will happen. IMO your tank is way too small for an anemone like that....at least if you really want to do corals. I've seen anemones like that (militantly!) occupy half of a 75 gallon tank.
3. I'd probably lose the bio-wheel. I'm not totally opposed to box filters (if they are silent!!) but I think I'd rely on the live rock (and sand) to be your filtration as much as possible. As long as you don't over-stock, it should be all you need.
4. What is the powerhead pointed up, out of the tank doing?
5. Is that a Tunze skimmer? How do you like it so far?

 

[NanaReefer]

Just another idea. I'm running a Radion XR30 Gen 3 on my 40B. Perfect light [emoji4]

 

[Darryl]

Tunze 9004 is great have been running them for years on my nano tanks
The box filter is not a bio wheel but a Hagen 70 modified with a IT insert to hold media
Also there is next to it a gfo media reactor
Also running a tunze filter on right side
The tunze power head is pointing toward back right to move massive water volumes this is temporary until the tunze nano comes then it goes back in the 500
The carpet you speak of can be a ******* but he is 15 years old moved from tank to tank was a lps rescue didn't think he would servive lol but he won't get any bigger
Since he hasn't even living in the 90 for 8 years of its life
The cats paw in the valley (sounds like a song from a musical lol)
Gets a ton of movement having everything crash in the middle .
I'm in the industry so I have access to great lux meters so I will give you a complete run down on numbers through out the tank
I can't believe there isn't any info on the kessil lights so i guess that is my new mission
I'm still impressed with them so far considering I'm old school still running halide and attinic T5 on 500
Keep adding more of the other tank every day as I pull the other apart so will keep you posted with pics and numbers.

 

[mcarroll]

I see what appears to be a biowheel; maybe it's a window-blind! LOL....not a carpet, which have short sorta-fuzzy or stubby-looking tentacles: either LTA or BTA...first impression said LTA, but I'm not an expert. (I do stony corals!! ) All three get huge for that tank so ID is secondary, but I'm glad you are having luck with him!

Can't wait to see your lux readings! (In case it helps, the phone apps are handy/accurate enough to get you started until you can get a portable meter on hand.)

 

[Darryl]

Ok
Using Galactica luxmeter"
The readings are as follows
At service 17.5K
Bottom 928
All at 50% color and 55% intensity
At 1:05pm

 

[Darryl]

Also did a second reading of bottom came up with 1.1K
Serfice 19.6K

 

[mcarroll]

Nice! Sounds about right....seems like most fixtures peak around 40,000-50,000 on surface readings.

Around 20,000 lux seems to be plenty for lots of corals, and is unlikely to be too much for any corals...