Kessil a150w and T-5's

Bensorensen · Feb 19, 2014

So i have 3 kessil a150w (1x sky blue and 2x ocean blue) and 2 24'' t5 retro fit kits (tottal of 4 24w t-5s), i was woundering what size tank these bad boy could handle? I was looking a 12" deep shallow reef around 90 gal but i would like to see what you all think, i love having options.

Bensorensen · Mar 1, 2014

No input? Please let me know.

bluzepher · Mar 1, 2014

Anybody ?

Bensorensen · Mar 8, 2014

Must be an off the wall question. Lol, so I'm thinking 30x30x24 maybe 20, what do you all think

P3FE · Mar 8, 2014

I wouldn't go over 16" deep with the kessils, specially if you are doing SPS. Kessil's are great for LPS and mid to low light coral, and of course fish only tanks, specially with the shimmer they produce. I'm saying this because the guy at my LFS have had an experiment going with the Kessil's 360 for over a year now and from his experience with them he will not recommend them for high light demanding corals. The T5's will definitely are proven lights but IMO you will need a few more for a 90g, only if you want to do SPS, for everything else I think you'll be fine.

Bensorensen · Mar 8, 2014

Good input thanks. I plan on LPS and I will do 3 rock formations each with a kessils over them and the t-5s angled to fill in the light. I'll take your advice and look into a 16" tank and maybe more light.

bluzepher · Mar 9, 2014

Figures this is posted after I purchase my new 360's WA

Fin · Mar 9, 2014

bluzepher said:
Figures this is posted after I purchase my new 360's WA

If it makes you feel any better, in one of their videos, you can see that BRS has the Kessil 360s on one of their display tanks. They could have picked any light that they wanted.

Lonelyreef · Mar 9, 2014

I hate seeing these threads where people say they can't support sps. Kessils can and do support sps lps and anything else. If you get a one on a deeper tank just go with the narrower lens is all. Beam goes down better. I personally have seen nice tanks lit up by kessils. I also have one over a cube that is almost to much for it.

If used properly and the right version kessils are just as good as any light for growing corals.

Trenbolone · Mar 9, 2014

Kessil pendants are MORE than capable of supporting SPS,Clams, LPS and anything in between. The new 360 pendants are phenomenal, and kessil has multiple videos on their website where several LFS have ALL their corals lit ONLY by kessil pendants.

that Reef Guy · Mar 18, 2014

Personally, Anytime I try SPS with Kessil LED's they Loose all their Color and go Brown.

They do not Die and Do Grow but they loose all their Color.

Kessil are Great for Softies and LPS as those Corals seem to Love them.

But all my SPS and Chalices are Lit with T5's.

Chalices always Die when I try them under LED too.

Jeffanator · Mar 18, 2014

I have a 180 reef tank with 4 kessil 360 w . My sps have grown off the charts . My lps have grown the same in 7 months I had a hammer go from 6 heads to 15 heads , a candy cane go from 1 head to 7 heads , Zoas completely cover rocks, frogs pop out 3 heads, monti's grow 1/2" a week , birds nest go from a frag to a 8" colony ,coralline algae cover the two overflows and back glass, my water quality is much more stable. I also Have 4 all white 6" round homedepot LEDs in my sump growing macro out the top. packed full of it! The ph is spot on ,my acro frag is encrusting the rock it's on,reefing has never been easier since I changed .I could go on and on . kessil gets a plus from me and the warrantee is great yes they had a few bugs but corrected them fast and no charge.i even was upgraded to the new kessil 360 WE for free. I also have had no bad algae out breaks . Ps I don't work for kessil just a happier reefer.

Lonelyreef · Mar 18, 2014

Kessils are a great light period. Thats why so many use them in there frag operations

Bensorensen · Mar 23, 2014

What depth do you think is good for a 150?

slojmn · Mar 23, 2014

It will be interesting to see what happens in my NanoReef, I just swapped a 250w DE MH bulb for a 150w Kessil. It was shockingly dim compared to the MH. I am curious to see what the corals do. I have 1 chalice, 3 SPS, 1 Monti cap, and a bunch of zoas. It's an experiment. If I don't like it I will go back to the MH, I want to give it 3-5 months though. My nano is 20" deep with the Kessil sitting 6" over the water. Time will tell. Way more glitter lines which I do love. I just have to get use to the dimness.

reefwiser · Mar 23, 2014

Your eyes are not important it's how the corals react to the light change. Our eyes see light way different than corals.
A par meter is best to make sure it is at the correct height for your corals.

Bensorensen · Mar 23, 2014

Post some pic please. I would love to see these lights in action. Also i have the 2 T-5 retro fit kits to brighten it up a little.

Lonelyreef · Mar 23, 2014

slojmn said:
It will be interesting to see what happens in my NanoReef, I just swapped a 250w DE MH bulb for a 150w Kessil. It was shockingly dim compared to the MH. I am curious to see what the corals do. I have 1 chalice, 3 SPS, 1 Monti cap, and a bunch of zoas. It's an experiment. If I don't like it I will go back to the MH, I want to give it 3-5 months though. My nano is 20" deep with the Kessil sitting 6" over the water. Time will tell. Way more glitter lines which I do love. I just have to get use to the dimness.

Id have gone with the 350 or 360 w on that particular tank. I have a 350 over a 16x16x14 tall cube and it keeps everthing happy and healthy. No acros though.

slojmn · Mar 25, 2014

Lonelyreef said:
Id have gone with the 350 or 360 w on that particular tank. I have a 350 over a 16x16x14 tall cube and it keeps everthing happy and healthy. No acros though.

I considered it but it would have been another $175. Since I was experimenting I decided to go 150w route to keep cost down...we shall see how it goes.