Could use help! T5s and Kessil?

[UncleSalty]

Hello!

I know very little about lighting, but we just bought a new home, and with that, we finally got a 220g! It's a 6', instead of an 8', but I just couldn't find a wall where I felt it would work well!

Anyways, I have been running Reef Breeders for awhile, and frankly - they do okay, but I am wanting to get into SPS for this new aquarium.

Everything I have read seems to say that using a retrofit T5 kit with the Kessil A360w is a good method. I don't know much about any of this, but what I was curious about is - can these lights be programmable? My RB's just change throughout the day, and I don't have to touch them eventually going to moonlights, and then waking up around 6am. Can I do that somehow with a T5 kit and the Kessils? I plan to build a fixture over the new aquarium, so I think I can make it look nice - and I am excited to get into this realm - I just know nothing about it!

 

[Mal11224]

Hi. I have the the aquatic life hybrid and the kessil AP700 over my 70gal tank, which is 36" and the setup has been great.
The 360's are programmable and you would likely need 4 of them. The a360's are excellent lights and will give you the look you want in my opinion. The T5 fixture is not dimmable. A timer would be needed to run them or you can use a controller to operate them.

 

[UncleSalty]

Hi. I have the the aquatic life hybrid and the kessil AP700 over my 70gal tank, which is 36" and the setup has been great.
The 360's are programmable and you would likely need 4 of them. The a360's are excellent lights and will give you the look you want in my opinion. The T5 fixture is not dimmable. A timer would be needed to run them or you can use a controller to operate them.

What about the dimmable T5s like this one? https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dimmable-t5-ho-miro-4-retrofit-kit-let-lighting.html

 

[Mal11224]

You can definitely use that kit if you want dimmable T5s. You may not need them since the LEDs can dim and provide various intensities especially in the blue spectrum. I really don't see the need for dimmable T5s. You would just need to figure out how to run your lights together. I run my LEDs from 9am - 9pm where I ramp up for 3 hours and hold for 4 hours at max intensity and then ramp down. My T5 is on from 11am - 4pm daily. So, in essence, my T5 supplements my LEDs.

 

[bif24701]

Two Kessil AP700s and a pair of 60” T5s on each front and back. This would give you one of, if not The, best lighting system right now. You could also do the 360s wide no less than 4 but to truly get the lighting you need for acros 5 and even better 6. That’s is why I recommend 3 AP700., it will cost less while doing the job of 5 or 6 A360s. T5 Retrofits are great this use. I wouldn’t do dimmable because you can get dusk/dawn effect from the LED programs and it adds cost that’s doesn’t have real value. To program the 360s you will need additional cables for each light plus either a Kessil spectral controller or APEX 0-10v outlet. Get the AP700s, they have built in WiFi and link wirelessly to either IOS or Android device for programming.

Another option, is the Kessil plus two or more 72” LED supplemental bars. Reef Bright XHO all BLUE, or SB Reef Lights blue Sbar. The Sbar would be my choice of the two, more powerful Cree and Brightlux LEDs of 450& 420nm, dimmable, well made, and almost 1/2 cost off the XHO. Yet of T5s or LED bars I would do the 4 60” T5s and ATI Blue Plus bulbs. The Blue Plus bulbs actually very closely match the spectrums of the Kessils and complement each other, were as often times mixing different lights causes and clash of spectrums.

ATI Blue Plus bulbs are full spectrum and proven themselves for many years as the go to T5 for best color, growth and health. Then combined with Kessil’s best fixture AP700 creates a Super Extreme Ultra lighting system.

Good luck!

 

[UncleSalty]

I was leaning towards the 360s because "used" they are cheaper!

 

[bif24701]

I was leaning towards the 360s because "used" they are cheaper!

Like I said it’s a fine choice, you just need more of them, cables, and if you want to program them either an APEX or Kessil controller.

 

[Daniel Waters]

If you want to get into SPS, I would recommend the AP700 over the A360s also. You'd need about 3 Kessil A360s to do what 1 AP700 can (based on total # of leds in the fixture). When you factor in the Kessil spectral controller and all the extra connection cables you'd need, I'm not sure how much real savings you would have to go with the A360s. If you plan to just do softies and lps and lower light needing sps, then you might be able to get by with 4 Kessil A360s with the t5s also. In that case, the 360s probably would be a cheaper option.

I do think running some T5s with the kessils is a great combination and is my preferred choice I use.

 

[UncleSalty]

If you want to get into SPS, I would recommend the AP700 over the A360s also. You'd need about 3 Kessil A360s to do what 1 AP700 can (based on total # of leds in the fixture). When you factor in the Kessil spectral controller and all the extra connection cables you'd need, I'm not sure how much real savings you would have to go with the A360s. If you plan to just do softies and lps and lower light needing sps, then you might be able to get by with 4 Kessil A360s with the t5s also. In that case, the 360s probably would be a cheaper option.

I do think running some T5s with the kessils is a great combination and is my preferred choice I use.

I would need 2 AP700s for a 6' aquarium right?

 

[Daniel Waters]

I would need 2 AP700s for a 6' aquarium right?

If you're going to supplement with T5s and use an appropriate mounting height, then yes. Without the t5s, you would need 3 unless you choose not to fool with SPS or other high light needing corals

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A single ap700 covers a 48x24 almost perfectly at 12in and will give you a lot more light than you need for anything.

Two would be perfect, three would be better just for coverage and shading.
You don’t actually “Need” the t5.

If you really want the t5 and 360 , it should be fine too. Finding the right Heith for spread is the trick. As you’ll be using two sets of t5 lights most likely , 24” or 36” and you’ll have to pic the number I’d 360s. Four to six.

With two, 2 360 four tube t5s , you’ll be able to grow higher light corals higher up, but I think you’ll have 100 par on the sand. Rather than the 200 many reccomend for traditional sps tanks.

Keep in mind many many manny Sps are not high Light corals and do fine in 100 par.

So keep in mind you just need to hit 350-400 around the top of the rocks.

My friend @crabs_mcjones has the t5 360 set up I belive and also some par readings and knows the spread of the 360s.

I think you need to be at 12” with 4 of the 360s for half decent coverage. I though that measured at 12in the max par of a single 360 was about 400-500 par.

 

[Crabs McJones]

A single ap700 covers a 48x24 almost perfectly at 12in and will give you a lot more light than you need for anything.

Two would be perfect, three would be better just for coverage and shading.
You don’t actually “Need” the t5.

If you really want the t5 and 360 , it should be fine too. Finding the right Heith for spread is the trick. As you’ll be using two sets of t5 lights most likely , 24” or 36” and you’ll have to pic the number I’d 360s. Four to six.

With two, 2 360 four tube t5s , you’ll be able to grow higher light corals higher up, but I think you’ll have 100 par on the sand. Rather than the 200 many reccomend for traditional sps tanks.

Keep in mind many many manny Sps are not high Light corals and do fine in 100 par.

So keep in mind you just need to hit 350-400 around the top of the rocks.

My friend @crabs_mcjones has the t5 360 set up I belive and also some par readings and knows the spread of the 360s.

I think you need to be at 12” with 4 of the 360s for half decent coverage. I though that measured at 12in the max par of a single 360 was about 400-500 par.

I've got the AP700 with the aquatic life t5. And @saltyfilmfolks is correct, a single ap700 will cover 48x24 perfectly for mixed reef. For a 6 foot id do two mounted at about 12 inches. Or if you want to go with the A360s id do four at about 6 to 8 inches off the water, one every 18 inches. And if you can do a t5 supplement that is gold

 

[bif24701]

If you're going to supplement with T5s and use an appropriate mounting height, then yes. Without the t5s, you would need 3 unless you choose not to fool with SPS or other high light needing corals

Yea with two maybe could find some areas with enough light but with the 220 depth three or supplements will get’er done. Or, three AP700s and T5s!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've got the AP700 with the aquatic life t5. And @saltyfilmfolks is correct, a single ap700 will cover 48x24 perfectly for mixed reef. For a 6 foot id do two mounted at about 12 inches. Or if you want to go with the A360s id do four at about 6 to 8 inches off the water, one every 18 inches. And if you can do a t5 supplement that is gold

As I recall , the 360s are just a tiny bit less powerful per puck. Yes no?

So for a high light deep tank , you’d want an eight tube t5. At 12in or as close as you can get it and still scrub alge.

So an ap/360 with 4 t5 would/shlould be about an 8 tube t5.


Or just get two of these.

(SBreeflights )

 

[Crabs McJones]

As I recall , the 360s are just a tiny bit less powerful per puck. Yes no?

So for a high light deep tank , you’d want an eight tube t5. At 12in or as close as you can get it and still scrub alge.

So an ap/360 with 4 t5 would/shlould be about an 8 tube t5.


Or just get two of these.

(SBreeflights )

Less powerful and fewer leds. Agreed at the 8 bulb

 

[UncleSalty]

Would you all care to recommend some bulbs? I am thinking 4 towards the front and 4 towards the rear with some undecided Kessil in the middle....? Thoughts?

 

[UncleSalty]

Would you all care to recommend some bulbs? I am thinking 4 towards the front and 4 towards the rear with some undecided Kessil in the middle....? Thoughts?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Would you all care to recommend some bulbs? I am thinking 4 towards the front and 4 towards the rear with some undecided Kessil in the middle....? Thoughts?

Absolutely! I would do 4 ATI Blue+, 2 ATI Coral+ and 2 ATI Purple+
This is the combination recommended to me by Matt at Boom Corals that he uses over his frag tanks and has had great success and his corals look amazing

 

[Daniel Waters]

If you're going to use 8 bulbs of T5's, then I am amending my recommendation. I think you could easily get by with 3 Kessil A360s or you could consider adding a long LED strip light to give you some pop and shimmer versus the kessils.

As far as t5 bulbs, it will depend on what "color" you like to view the tank. A good base will be at least 4 blue plus bulbs (out of 8 bulbs) and a combination of other bulbs such as coral plus, purple plus, daylight bulbs, and / or more blue plus / actinic bulbs. The # of combinations is large, so I try to recommend people focus on ratios of blue to whiter type bulbs (blue bulbs would be a blue plus or actinic bulb). Whiter bulbs would be like a 6500k, 10k, aquablue special, coral plus, and purple plus bulbs). To try and figure out a combination or ratio you might like (if you don't know already), i recommend buying 4 blue plus bulbs and a coral plus bulb to start off (so just 5 bulbs). View the coral plus bulb alone, view the blue plus bulb alone, and then try different ratios such as 2 blue plus to 1 coral plus, or 3 blue plus to 1 coral plus. What ratio do you like? If you like the coral plus bulb by itself and would actually prefer whiter, you may want to consider adding in a 6500 or 10,000k daylight bulb (and there's certainly good argument for having one of those bulbs in an 8 bulb setup anyway). A purple plus bulb is fine also in an 8 bulb setup. I find it a bit overpowering, but this is your tank so set it up how you like...it's hard to screw the lighting up with t5 bulbs. Also, you can "whiten" the tank hue with your led supplements (if you supplement with kessils).