AI or Kessil?

CaptPatrick · Sep 23, 2016

I currently have 2 AI prime HD over an 80 frag tank, 48x24x16 tall. I have a mixed reef but am getting more into sps. As of right now everything is showing good growth but I feel like the sps have to be strategically placed. The lights are about 8" off the water. My question is, would it be better to try to sell the primes and get two kessil a360's or get another prime for the middle, I was also contemplating a 26 HD for the middle and the two primes on the sides, AI said I could use the 26 as a parent to the primes,but would kind of like to keep have all the same light so it looks more uniform. With the kessils I would need to buy hanging kits and the controller on top of lights. I am trying to do this the most cost effective way possible. Would 3 primes be enough for that tank? Any input on this would be much appreciated. Attached a picture, that was when tank was just setup.

Thanks
Patrick

Evan West · Sep 23, 2016

I would think 3 prime HDs would be okay, how deep is the tank?

Irsug1 · Sep 23, 2016

I had 2 kessils on that same tank and I wasn't happy with the par levels in was getting. I now have a 48 inch fixture.

WetWhistle · Sep 23, 2016

It is because of the length of your tank. A third prime would fix your issue. Unless you plan to upgrade in time then you could get one Hydra 26 HD to go with your current lights. Then down the road replace the other two.

CaptPatrick · Sep 23, 2016

Evan- The tank is 48" long 24" wide and 16" tall

Irsug- That is good to know, thank you.

Wetshistle- Thank you, so a third prime in the middle would give me good coverage over the whole tank you think?

Should I adjust the height of the lights up or down, I wouldn't think I'd want to go down anymore but maybe up?

NanoDJS · Sep 23, 2016

three primes all the way and you could even run them at the highest part of the bracket about 12 " the par ratings are from the water level down the height will give you that spread you need but the outside 2 - 3" of your tank will always be very low zones great for some fancy sand dwellers that hate light and the color ... primes run the best bulbs imho cree cool whites FTW 450nm spike of insanity !!!!

dragon99 · Sep 23, 2016

I'm running 4 primes on my 48 in tank. But running 3 a little higher would work fine since you don't have to worry about depth.

If you want to go Kessil, skip the 360s and get an ap700, and to will get much better spread.

jaredb12 · Sep 23, 2016

what color light set up should I have

jaredb12 · Sep 23, 2016

I noticed a lot of blue in almost all tanks

jaredb12 · Sep 23, 2016

I was told it could be bad though

WetWhistle · Sep 23, 2016

CaptPatrick said:
Wetshistle- Thank you, so a third prime in the middle would give me good coverage over the whole tank you think?

If this was my tank I would move the original two LED over to the left and right a little and add the third in the middle. That will give you the perfect spread for your tank. Right now you have two high light areas right under each light and on the left, middle and right areas lower light spots. If you added a third you will spread your lighting more evenly and not have to strategically place the corals like you have to now. You will get a nice mix of high and low light areas.

When it comes to spectrum/ kelvin you should be picking the color you like and figure out what you want in your corals. (Growth, color) Because of the size of your tank you don't want your corals to grow to fast or it ups your maintenance on the tank and you will have to constantly frag\trim corals to keep them manageable and within proportion. I would recommend you keep the kelvin in the blue range so you can focus on color and not growth. Smaller colorful corals will give you greater appeal then few large corals in a tank your size. I myself would go for color over fast growth in this size of tank.

CaptPatrick · Sep 23, 2016

Thank you to everyone for their responses and input, I really appreciate it.

nbagnardi · Sep 23, 2016

Irsug1 said:
I had 2 kessils on that same tank and I wasn't happy with the par levels in was getting. I now have a 48 inch fixture.

what kessils were you running? kessils are so misunderstood whereas they're not easily measured by PAR. while you can use it to get an estimate, your best bet is to look into PUR or LUX. i was running 4 kessil 360N, 8" above an 18" tank at 70% intensity and straight cooking corals. they're powerful. and unmatched in simplicity and shimmer. i sold 2 of the 360N's and bought the AP700. @CaptPatrick, i am seriously contemplating on selling my remaining 2 360N's with custom mounts. if you're interested, please, PM me.

nbagnardi · Sep 23, 2016

clearly grow and color up SPS

mr fixit · Sep 23, 2016

Kessil love them one 160 we on my 75 another one comeing soon 6 months on the one single

mr fixit · Sep 23, 2016

Bad Cell phone pic return pump off for feeding I love kessil lights shimmer ,adjustability ,spread size

Joeganja · Sep 23, 2016

not gonna even read the post, just read the name. ive had both and sold the kessil under 6 months. In my opinion they are horrible lights and cost way too much to even be considered into the category as hydras or radions or maxspects. This being said i have two hydra 26s over a 90 gallon tank growing sps like crazy with full coverage. Kessils have poor coverage where youll get shadowing unless you have multiple and i dont like the one light source.