How do you run your Kessil A160's

Dilan Patel

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How do you all run your Kessil a160's for growth and color.

Do you use the spectual controller?

How long?

Anything else you would like to share?
 
I do not run the 160's but for the money the spectual controller is wonderful.

Do you go to the Aquatic Critter?
 
Mine sits over a 12'' cube so I started at the lowest settings and inch my way up to about 40% I do not use a controller just on/off
 
How do you all run your Kessil a160's for growth and color.

Do you use the spectual controller?

How long?

Anything else you would like to share?
I run the spectral controller for one A360N, 10 in above waterline. Well worth the $100 for abilities to set programs and ramping times. I run 10 hours (10 am, C 10%, I 15%, 12 pm, C20%, I 50%, 1pm, C 25%, I 85%, 6pm, C 20%, I 50%, 8pm C 0%, I 0%
 
Here's my colour profile with intensity underlayed as the blue-grey contour in the background, via Apex 0-10v control . 12 hour photo period, tank has been doing fine with growth. 0% = actinic blue, 100% = white. They're maxed out at 70% intensity from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm daily.



I run two on an Innovative Marine Fusion 20 nano tank, 5-1/2" above the water line.
 
So you run them very blue. How is that treating color and growth for you?
Corals (only softies & LPS right now) and BTAs (green & rose) are doing fine. IME, keeping the white level to minimum keeps algae growth in check. Plus corals and anemones colors are more pleasing to look at.
 
12hr cycle with a 3hr ramp up, hold peak for 6hrs, then ramp down for 3hrs. Max intensity is 60% (I have 3 160's and a 4 bulb ATI sunpower), color goes from 0% to 25%, then back down to 0%.
Kessil's are controlled via the spectral controller. The T5's only come on during peak time.
Here's a crappy iPhone pic.
IMG_3537.JPG
 
Why do yall run the color under 50% is it that for color since Kessil makes their own LED that they make the spectrum needed for growth and color in all color mixes so that if you want to run more blue it will not hurt the corals or run a mix or mostly white? WHats the reasing for people running them more blue then a balanced and or whiter spectrum?
 
Does keeping the color on the bluer side help with algae control but does not jack around with the growth and coloration?
 
Why do yall run the color under 50% is it that for color since Kessil makes their own LED that they make the spectrum needed for growth and color in all color mixes so that if you want to run more blue it will not hurt the corals or run a mix or mostly white? WHats the reasing for people running them more blue then a balanced and or whiter spectrum?

It's mostly preference, but I did find that the PUR percentage increased when I started to dial back the color. Also, I run T5's with mine and don't really like the washed out look of 100% color.
 
oh cool. any other opinions
Running (4) a80's at 25% color and 100% intensity with (2) KZ-SB t5's.
It gives my reef the perfect spread, color, shimmer and my coral growth has been steady.

The KZ-SB's have a metallic blue spectrum that blends in the best with the Kessil led's.

Note: It did take awhile to build up to 100% intensity and when I've tried to run 4- t5's my corals closed up and they did not respond well.
 
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The golden rule with Kessil's intensity is, only raise it 5% a month, hold for a while (a week or two), then raise again if everything looks good. Your corals will tell/show you when you have too much light. With LED's, you need to be patient and observe your corals. Also, don't change color while you adjust intensity, adjust one thing at a time. (color can ramp up and down, but not during peak hours, try to keep it steady) If something changes, you'll be better off knowing that it was just the intensity, instead of guessing between intensity and color.
Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.
 
Does anyone run their coral at 100% blue (zero color)? A few local hobbyists have been doing that near me with really good results.

As an aside, this has been for LPS like acans and they have been keeping their colors very well.
 
How do you all run your Kessil a160's for growth and color.

Do you use the spectual controller?

How long?

Anything else you would like to share?
I run mine 0% color channel all intensity ramp to max 75%. My tank is all zoas few Montis

KIMG2076.JPG
 
I run mine 0% color channel all intensity ramp to max 75%. My tank is all zoas few Montis
slayerhellfire,
Wow!
How long have you been running them at zero color?
 

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