Is Kessel A80 Enough for 40 gallon cube

[jettpeterson]

I have a 40 gallon cube and I have a variety of coral SPS LPS softies all of it but now I'm curious if a Kessel A80 a good enough light to grow everything?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

absolutely not. You can barely get by with softies and low light LPS on A80.

 

[jettpeterson]

absolutely not. You can barely get by with softies and low light LPS on A80.

Then what light should I use

 

[jerricolaboy]

I’d say a Ai Prime

 

[nothing_fancy]

Unfortunately not although it is a nice light, better suited for refugium setups. I have a 40 G cube and I am running (2) A360x peaking at 52% sps dominant, has been working for me just fine.

 

[BAMatter]

I’d say a Ai Prime

x 3 perhaps

 

[jettpeterson]

Unfortunately not although it is a nice light, better suited for refugium setups. I have a 40 G cube and I am running (2) A360x peaking at 52% sps dominant, has been working for me just fine.

You have a pic of how your lights are set up?

 

[jettpeterson]

x 3 perhaps

If I wanted just a one light setup what would you recommend

 

[BAMatter]

If I wanted just a one light setup what would you recommend

Really depends on dimensions of the tank, it I’d probably run a single AI Hydra64 and some LED bars. I run 2 of them on my 4’ 75 gallon with 2 36” Orphek LED bars. I wish I went with 4 of the 64’s and 48” bars.

 

[nothing_fancy]

You have a pic of how your lights are set up?

Yep, in my build thread. If you like kessil I would say you need (2) for SPS or (1) AP90X which is still two point source lights. It just depends on how you want to mount. I think the A360's give you more flexibility with mounting and angling if you're into that. They are very powerful lights, you'd get 500+ near surface at 50% 12" off the water. I ran a single fixture for a few months and it wasn't enough considering it is a point source light.

 

[paragrouper]

Your tank is around 21” square, right?

I would expect you could use something like a Kessil A360.

 

[Reef.]

The a80 is great and can grow all corals but not across a 21 inch span, if that is what you have.

If one light, I would opt for a Kessil a360 or a Radion xr15

 

[JoJosReef]

If I were doing a 21" cube, I'd put on a Noopsyche K7 III Pro.

 

[jettpeterson]

If I were doing a 21" cube, I'd put on a Noopsyche K7 III Pro.

I really like the look of the hydra 64 would one of them be good or overkill

 

[JoJosReef]

I really like the look of the hydra 64 would one of them be good or overkill

I was thinking a 32 would work.

 

[steveschuerger]

It’s expensive but I have a ReeFi Uno 2.0 Pro. It’s over a 22 gallon cube, but it could easily run as the only light over a 40 gallon cube I would think.

 

[jettpeterson]

I was thinking a 32 would work.

Even for sps?

 

[JoJosReef]

Even for sps?

Ah, I'm not an authority on SPS! I'd say go overkill and dial it back if needed for acros. With easy SPS (digis, birdsnest, stylos, pavonas, etc), my Noops do great. I haven't been bold enough to do acros yet.

 

[steveschuerger]

Ah, I'm not an authority on SPS! I'd say go overkill and dial it back if needed for acros. With easy SPS (digis, birdsnest, stylos, pavonas, etc), my Noops do great. I haven't been bold enough to do acros yet.

Also even those sps will vary in their tolerances. Stylophora and Pocilopora can handle bright lighting and even enjoy it. Birds nest, Pavonas like more moderate lighting. Let’s include Montipora on the fairly easy list as well. They also enjoy bright lighting for the most part.

 

[jettpeterson]

Also even those sps will vary in their tolerances. Stylophora and Pocilopora can handle bright lighting and even enjoy it. Birds nest, Pavonas like more moderate lighting. Let’s include Montipora on the fairly easy list as well. They also enjoy bright lighting for the most part.

So in conclusion get a hydra 32 or 64?