Kessil A160WE or A360WE for 3ft tank

aras · Apr 28, 2016

Planning an upgrade to EA Reef 900S tank + 2 x Kessil spot lights. Which of the above should I get? Tank dimensions are 900mm (L) x 500mm (W) x 450mm (H) 200l. That's 3 ft length, 20 inch width, 18 inch height.

Don't have any SPS right now, but would like lights that support SPS if/when I get them in the future. EA seem to be recommending A160WE for this tank. Will they be sufficient for SPS? Don't want to waste money on 360 if they are an overkill, but at the same time don't want to buy 160 and then regret if they are not strong enough...

cjd · Apr 28, 2016

Definitely look into getting the A360w's , to get that spread over a 3ft tank you might have to raise them up on the high side so you want the power to penetrate the tank. I have a 160 over a bio cube 14 , I couldn't see 2 of these lighting a 3 ft. SPS reef .

Cory · Apr 29, 2016

I agree, i have a 160 and it wouldnt do a 3ft tank. Two 160s would do it. I wouldnt even try 1 360.

azbigjohn · Apr 29, 2016

When I was planning my tank, I emailed Kessil with the dimensions of my tank (its a bowfront) and they very quickly sent back a recomendation based on width and depth.

For 18 inches deep, you are good with either one... The three feet of width would probably need two lights, which would make me lean towards the 2 x 160s...

aras · Apr 30, 2016

Thanks guys. I actually went ahead for 4ft tank and 2 x 360.

I did speak to Kessil. For 3ft tank they suggested 2 x 160 if it's mostly LPS and softies with few SPS. If it's SPS dominant 2 x 360. 4 ft mixed SPS tank should also be covered by 2 x 360, unless it's SPS only in which case it may require some additional lighting.

Piranhapat · Apr 30, 2016

I have. 90 gal 4x18x24 . I have 4 350w kessil all SPS tank. Nice color medium growth. Thinking removing two and adding more powerful light. But love the kessils ...

aras · Apr 30, 2016

Piranhapat said:
I have. 90 gal 4x18x24 . I have 4 350w kessil all SPS tank. Nice color medium growth. Thinking removing two and adding more powerful light. But love the kessils ...

I think 360 are more powerful than 350, not sure by how much... Will see how I get along with 2 360s to start with.
Is hight of your tank 18'' or 24''? What intensity and how far from surface do you run your 350s?

Vaiodude · Apr 30, 2016

Go with the 360 for better coverage.

Suzzie · Apr 30, 2016

I have the EA 900 Reef too and have 2 Kessil 360s. They seem to be doing a great job.

Piranhapat · May 4, 2016

My height is 24". Yes, 360 are a little more powerful than 350. Excellent light but a great supplement added to these would make a perfect fit for SPS. They will grow and color but at a much slower rate. That's my experience.

aras · May 4, 2016

Just received 2 x A360s and tried to put one on my old tank to see how it looks. Light is definitely very strong, but after looking at the tank for a while I started to get a bit uncomfortable (eye strain, even feeling a bit nauseated). Something similar to what I used to get when looking at old CRT monitors if they were running around 60Hz refresh rate.
Does anyone else get anything similar with LEDs? Maybe it's a question of getting used to it, but I would really hate if my tank was causing my headaches...

Piranhapat · May 4, 2016

aras said:
Just received 2 x A360s and tried to put one on my old tank to see how it looks. Light is definitely very strong, but after looking at the tank for a while I started to get a bit uncomfortable (eye strain, even feeling a bit nauseated). Something similar to what I used to get when looking at old CRT monitors if they were running around 60Hz refresh rate.
Does anyone else get anything similar with LEDs? Maybe it's a question of getting used to it, but I would really hate if my tank was causing my headaches...

Yes, I had to cover or block off the light so you can't see the light from the top. Looking in Aquarium shouldn't be a problem. My wife said she was getting a headache looking at tank. But she was happy when top was covered. Even though it's in my man cave room.

aras · May 4, 2016

Piranhapat said:
Yes, I had to cover or block off the light so you can't see the light from the top. Looking in Aquarium shouldn't be a problem. My wife said she was getting a headache looking at tank. But she was happy when top was covered. Even though it's in my man cave room.

Do you mean seeing actual LED, reflection of LED, or just water surface? What did you use to block the light? A picture would be very helpful...

cjd · May 4, 2016

Kessils have a love hate relationship with most. they have crazy shimmer . I've had other leds over tanks in the past but nothing comes close to the amount of shimmer produced by my kessil 160 over my nano cube.

aras · May 5, 2016

I played with powerhead placement a bit and managed to reduce the shimmer to a pretty low level.

These are my first LEDs (always had T5) so maybe it's just a question of getting used to a different type of lighting... I watched some youtube videos and it looks like all LEDs have shimmer, and the consensus seems to be that Kessil shimmer is "the best" and most natural, whereas other LEDs have disco bowl and "dancing lights" effects.
So maybe I will give Kessils a chance (I was seriously considering returning them and getting something like Razor...)