A160WE controller

[cajunreef985]

Do I need an additional type of controller if I buy the Kessil controller for this light? Why would I need to? What doesn't the kessil controller do to need an (eg.. Apex, Reefkeeper)? Thanks in advance.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do I need an additional type of controller if I buy the Kessil controller for this light? Why would I need to? What doesn't the kessil controller do to need an (eg.. Apex, Reefkeeper)? Thanks in advance.

If you have an apex or a reefkeeper, you can control this light with those units, you don't need the kessil controller. The kessil controller is basically a stand alone controller that you use to control your lights by creating a schedule.

 

[cajunreef985]

If you have an apex or a reefkeeper, you can control this light with those units, you don't need the kessil controller. The kessil controller is basically a stand alone controller that you use to control your lights by creating a schedule.

So the kessil controller is a cheaper option for basic schedule settings. What other features do the other two offer that the stand alone doesn't for kessil?

 

[ETBReefer05]

Do I need an additional type of controller if I buy the Kessil controller for this light? Why would I need to? What doesn't the kessil controller do to need an (eg.. Apex, Reefkeeper)? Thanks in advance.

The controller is a spectral controller, all it does it put the controller knobs on a digital readout so you don’t need to turn them. You can also create custom spectrum/intensity ratios. IMO unless it’s really a hassle for you to turn the knobs (which really should only be used during initial acclimation) you can skip the controller. After the first few months of turning up the kessils to acclimate your corals, the Kessil fixtures are really set it and forget it, too much tinkering with any LED is just not advisable

Edit: I will add if you want sunrise/sunset and varying intensity through the day you Will In fact need an aquarium controller with a 0-10v output port to control the dimming. The spectral controller can’t do light schedules

 

[cajunreef985]

The controller is a spectral controller, all it does it put the controller knobs on a digital readout so you don’t need to turn them. You can also create custom spectrum/intensity ratios. IMO unless it’s really a hassle for you to turn the knobs (which really should only be used during initial acclimation) you can skip the controller. After the first few months of turning up the kessils to acclimate your corals, the Kessil fixtures are really set it and forget it, too much tinkering with any LED is just not advisable

Thank you.. Yea I kinda want to automate that part.. I work so when I'm not home the light can change with the day. Hopefully I can at least do that

 

[Crabs McJones]

So the kessil controller is a cheaper option for basic schedule settings. What other features do the other two offer that the stand alone doesn't for kessil?

Nothing really. All the apex and reef keeper allow you to do is create schedules and include sunrise and sunset which the spectral controller can also do. The only other thing, and I don't know if the apex does this or not, would be to add cloud cover and thunderstorm effects.

 

[cajunreef985]

Nothing really. All the apex and reef keeper allow you to do is create schedules and include sunrise and sunset which the spectral controller can also do. The only other thing, and I don't know if the apex does this or not, would be to add cloud cover and thunderstorm effects.

As long as i can do sun up and sun down I'm good. Kessil controller is all I need then. Thank you crabs as always [emoji41]

 

[Crabs McJones]

Give this a watch when you have time

 

[ETBReefer05]

Nothing really. All the apex and reef keeper allow you to do is create schedules and include sunrise and sunset which the spectral controller can also do. The only other thing, and I don't know if the apex does this or not, would be to add cloud cover and thunderstorm effects.

I stand corrected the spectral controller will do sunrise sunset, BUT for about $220 you can get a reef keeper lite controller and their light controller plus add PH monitoring as well as a controllable power strip, good value but if you just want to control your lights and keep your other equipment standalone the spectral controller is the way to go

 

[Crabs McJones]

I stand corrected the spectral controller will do sunrise sunset, BUT for about $220 you can get a reef keeper lite controller and their light controller plus add PH monitoring as well as a controllable power strip, good value but if you just want to control your lights and keep your other equipment standalone the spectral controller is the way to go

Unrelated note, I love your avatar lol

 

[ETBReefer05]

Unrelated note, I love your avatar lol

Scheider was a legend, JAWS is legendary. This scene makes me laugh every time. The way the cig just drops out of his mouth and the line “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”