Kessil a160 with 6 or 8 bulb?

[fishmonkey]

Im planning on getting a 48x24x24 acropora tank and want some T5 lights with LED shimmer. I have two spare kessil 160’s with goosenecks I can implement to my new setup, but wondering if that with an 8 bulb is overkill and should rather settle with the 6 bulb.

 

[minus9]

You probably want the 8 bulb for coverage. Plus, you should be able to split the T5’s up if there’s too much par and run one channel with the Kessil’s. You could do the 6 bulb and run a couple quanta LED bars with the Kessil’s as another option. Lots of choices these days.

 

[nereefpat]

An 8 bulb for Acropora isn't overkill for a 48x24" tank. You'd never have to think about lighting again.

I don't know where you're going to fit the Kessils, however.
If you really want to run Kessils + T5, you might consider adding 2 more 160s (4 total) along with a 4 bulb T5 hybrid setup...or selling the 160s and running 2 360s + the 4 bulb T5 hybrid.

 

[fishmonkey]

An 8 bulb for Acropora isn't overkill for a 48x24" tank. You'd never have to think about lighting again.

I don't know where you're going to fit the Kessils, however.
If you really want to run Kessils + T5, you might consider adding 2 more 160s (4 total) along with a 4 bulb T5 hybrid setup...or selling the 160s and running 2 360s + the 4 bulb T5 hybrid.

I was thinking with the goosenecks I can attach them to a shelf that would be hanging the t5s on and have them point in from the sides.

 

[fishmonkey]

anyone have any input on this setup? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[minus9]

You would get some shimmer on the ends, but it probably wouldn’t be enough to cut through to the center. It will be one of those things you’ll have to play around with the lights in hand.

 

[nereefpat]

anyone have any input on this setup? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Isn't this a 4' T5 fixture on a 4' tank? I don't think you'll have much room on the ends. You can try it and play around with it. Some kind of LED light bar would probably work better.

 

[Big Smelly fish]

Even if you did get them to fit, I don’t think you will get much shimmer with the T5’s.

 

[fishmonkey]

Isn't this a 4' T5 fixture on a 4' tank? I don't think you'll have much room on the ends. You can try it and play around with it. Some kind of LED light bar would probably work better.

I feel the led bars don’t really add much shimmer to the 8 bulbs. At that point would it be better to get a 6 bulb with the light bar?

 

[nereefpat]

I feel the led bars don’t really add much shimmer to the 8 bulbs. At that point would it be better to get a 6 bulb with the light bar?

I think either the 6-8 bulb T5 fixture will flatten out most (all?) of the LED shimmer.

 

[Midrats]

Always get the 8 bulb! Two 160s won't cut through all that t5, I doubt you'll even be able to tell they are on. Daylight bars produce much more shimmer than blue ones IME.

 

[fishmonkey]

I think either the 6-8 bulb T5 fixture will flatten out most (all?) of the LED shimmer.

Yea. I think I will test it with the kessils but I won’t be expecting anything good out of it and won’t be buying anything which would end up being a waste of money.

 

[fishmonkey]

Always get the 8 bulb! Two 160s won't cut through all that t5, I doubt you'll even be able to tell they are on. Daylight bars produce much more shimmer than blue ones IME.

Yea but will the bars even cut through a 6 bulb?

 

[Midrats]

If you use bars with lenses like Orpheks yes, as the light is focused, XHOs probably not as much.

 

[fishmonkey]

If you use bars with lenses like Orpheks yes, as the light is focused, XHOs probably not as much.

I've looked into the Orphek fixtures before I thought about getting t5's and I decided not to because of cost. Im not about to spend $2000 on lighting. Now looking at the OR3 LED bars to add to T5 and thinking about just getting those LED bars instead. What's your opinion on this and how many LED bars would I get for SPS tank?

 

[minus9]

I've looked into the Orphek fixtures before I thought about getting t5's and I decided not to because of cost. Im not about to spend $2000 on lighting. Now looking at the OR3 LED bars to add to T5 and thinking about just getting those LED bars instead. What's your opinion on this and how many LED bars would I get for SPS tank?

If you’re just going with LED bars, then I would look into Quanta bars. Luca will help you put together a nice combo to suit your needs and taste. @Lousybreed
Quanta Reef

 

[Midrats]

I've looked into the Orphek fixtures before I thought about getting t5's and I decided not to because of cost. Im not about to spend $2000 on lighting. Now looking at the OR3 LED bars to add to T5 and thinking about just getting those LED bars instead. What's your opinion on this and how many LED bars would I get for SPS tank?

The Orphek bars were what I was talking about. I'd bolt one on each side of your T5 fixture. The Quanta bars look nice too as mentioned, but they have 120 degree optics I believe, so that might minimize the shimmer you desire. I'd also look at the AliExpress bars, they are almost identical to the Quantas with a couple less diodes and cost less.