Kessil 160 users new nano SPS

[Briguy350]

finishing our basement so im down sizing my 90 into a new Innovate Marine 25 lagoon. im fragging all my SPS to run in this new nano and wondering if the Kessil A160WE will be enough to grow these SPS or if i need to upgade to the 360? the dimensions of the tank are 24x 20x 12. its a shallow reef so im hoping the 160 will be enough. ive never owned a kessil but think itll look really nice hanging over the new shallow reef and everybody raves about the shimmer. just dont want to spend the extra money if its not worth it. thanks

 

[mcarroll]

The 160 should be fine, more or less. The corals, and you, will do well. I'm not sure you would get away with clams through much of that tank space though.

If you think reducing shadows and increasing coverage and power might be worthy goals and have extra budget, then instead spend on a second 160.

More emitters = better coverage and dimmer, fewer shadows.

 

[Briguy350]

i just dont want buyers remorse and having to upgrade. its just i see people say you need the 360 for SPS and then i see people with the 360 running it over their cube at like %60. im going in circles over this.

 

[KJoFan]

I run a 160 over my Biocube 29. Slightly different dimensions. My 160 is probably 10" off the water because of how the gooseneck has to be configured. I recently started peaking my intensity at 100% with the addition of sps. The sps are positioned as high as I can with my rockwork and they're doing fine so far (only a month in the tank at this point). My lps and zoas that are lower are also doing fine. There was no ill effects of turning it up to 100%.

That all being said, I plan to upgrade to the 360 sooner rather than later. I think the 160 isn't as powerful as I'd like it to be, nor provide the amount of spread/coverage I'd like, even in this size tank. Granted it's worked fine for nearly 2 yrs when the tank was lps/softie only.

I thought the 160 would be all I'd ever need on this tank, but I think I will be happier with the 360. Even though your tank will be shallower I think you'll want the better coverage of the 360 and it will provide you room to grow so to speak. I think you'll find you'll max out the 160 like I have and wish for more.

ETA: Per your 60% comment: I'd rather run the 360 at 60% max intensity than the 160 at 100%, but that's just my preference.

 

[mcarroll]

@Briguy350 When your tank is only 12" deep it's going to be more than 50% easier to light than a 24" deep tank.

It's really going to more about added spread/reduced shadows or about added intensity.

I wouldn't worry about added intensity unless you have clams in mind.

If it helps:
http://www.kessil.com/aquarium/calculator.php

It also says one....or two if you want.

 

[Deedubs]

I have 2 a160s over my lagoon 25 and it's more than enough light. I run it maxed at 40%

 

[Briguy350]

ended up going with the 360. happy i did coverage is good. plus i really like the look of just the one light over the tank. another reason i really wanted to go with kessil. this setup is really appealing and cant wait to post some pictures when i get everything transferred.

 

[Whipples]

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't the two kessils share a coverage rating of 24" max? I constantly see people talking about coverage with Kessil lights but their website states they have the same surface diameter output, but vary in intensity. I am not sure a 360 will give you a wider coverage area, but for sure will give you better PAR at depth compared to a 160.

 

[Elementalj]

ended up going with the 360. happy i did coverage is good. plus i really like the look of just the one light over the tank. another reason i really wanted to go with kessil. this setup is really appealing and cant wait to post some pictures when i get everything transferred.

I have the 160 over my pico. It's max intensity is about 35% for such a shallow tank. Coverage will be much better than you expect.

 

[KM942]

How much do you run on the color ? With 35% intensity

I have the 160 over my pico. It's max intensity is about 35% for such a shallow tank. Coverage will be much better than you expect.

 

[Elementalj]

Since I've been using it mostly over softies I kept it around 40-45%. I just moved everything over to a later setup and am running a 360we with the same settings. Everything is open and happy looking.

 

[KM942]

Since I've been using it mostly over softies I kept it around 40-45%. I just moved everything over to a later setup and am running a 360we with the same settings. Everything is open and happy looking.

So you run 40color and 45%intensity together

 

[Elementalj]

35 intensity 45 color.

 

[Elementalj]

Here looky.

 

[KM942]

Nice !! Really nice Acan

 

[Fir3ant]

35 intensity 45 color.

So you still run at that? Is there lots of growth? I just bought the 160 to put over my 29 an was wondering what I should keep mine too after acclamation of course

 

[Fir3ant]

Here looky.

So you still having great growth with those settings

 

[Hairyteeth]

I run two 160s on my evo 13.5 max 55% intensity, sps have enough light so far...switched from 360we 2 months ago to combat shading