Fluval 13.5 and Kessil A80 - results

BurgerFish · Jan 5, 2023

So, I replaced my 5y old AquaKnight A029 30W with Kessil A80, because I need a silent 0dB light and Kessil has a good reputation.

The lights is pretty weak. The shimmer is the same as with AquaKnight (depending of the surface agitation). The colors are nothing special and veryyyyyyy far from my 8 bulb T5 with Reefbrite LED. The light leakge is also pretty bad.

Im very happy to choise a T5 insted of Kessil for my main tank. And for this nano, ill add another A80 in the future if there is no other solution without any fans.

blaxsun · Jan 5, 2023

How's the evaporation without the lid?

Tamberav · Jan 5, 2023

A more powerful light that has to be run lower settings... the fan won't even kick on which makes it silent (well as long it is programmed to work this way). Just a thought.

BurgerFish · Jan 5, 2023

blaxsun said:
the evaporation without the lid?

Not that bad. With the lid summer tank temp was 29c and corals was all dead.

Tamberav said:
A more powerful light that has to be run lower settings

Reefbrite can be a good option, its also passive. Kessils colors is a disappoint for me.

Tamberav · Jan 6, 2023

BurgerFish said:
Not that bad. With the lid summer tank temp was 29c and corals was all dead.

Reefbrite can be a good option, its also passive. Kessils colors is a disappoint for me.

Ya there is lots of options for led bars. Quanta and Orphek too. I just not sure if they make them short enough but maybe?

Tamberav · Jan 6, 2023

I believe maxspect is designed to run cool (the fins/heat sink), they have a fan but don’t think they kick on under normal conditions. More like a safety net I believe.

BurgerFish · Jan 7, 2023

So, I used the Kessil a little longer. The shimmer with the right surface agitation is pretty good, better than AquaKnight LED, more natural.

Soft corals seems like it.

Schulks · Jan 8, 2023

BurgerFish said:
So, I used the Kessil a little longer. The shimmer with the right surface agitation is pretty good, better than AquaKnight LED, more natural.

Soft corals seems like it.

I am a newbie but I love the kessil shimmer already too. I had an led strip light and the shimmer was like looking at a static tv and it was ruining everything. The kessil shimmer can be exhausting too so I have been thinking about adding the new AI Blade to soften the shimmer some but also add better UV spectrum. I've heard reviewers saying the blade's light is about as spread as T5's. The best part is the blade is also passive cooled too. I'm just trying to decide if I want the Glow or Grow.

BurgerFish · Jan 8, 2023

You can easily reduce the shimmer by reducing the surface agitation.

Schulks · Jan 8, 2023

You right maybe I am being lazy and avoiding messing with my flow. lol
I think the broader UV spectrum sounds nice though.

BurgerFish · Jan 8, 2023

Schulks said:
AI Blade

But how you'll install it without blocking the Kessil?

Schulks · Jan 8, 2023

Here is my heater box over my tank in the same position I am thinking. The light comes with some risers to elevate it and hopefully I'll be able to scoot it a bit further forward than this without blocking the kessil. I might try to find some risers for the risers to get it on same level as the kessil and then it should be easy.

MarineandReef Jaron · Jan 9, 2023

I have a80s on my office tank. I really like them. They are the only truly high end LED this small. That being said they are 15 watt lights so an AI prime is more than triple the intensity. You need to be fair in what you are comparing them to but for pico reefs and desk tanks, they are in a class of their own.

BurgerFish · Jan 9, 2023

MarineandReef Jaron said:
I have a80s on my office tank. I really like them. They are the only truly high end LED this small. That being said they are 15 watt lights so an AI prime is more than triple the intensity. You need to be fair in what you are comparing them to but for pico reefs and desk tanks, they are in a class of their own.

But it cost almost as AI Prime. So, its fair to compair them.

If it cost 90$, it'll be another story.