Kessil A360X PAR Measurements

[Chipper1978]

So I rented a PAR meter from BRS and here is what I got with my 3 Kessil A360Xs mounted 6 1/2” above the water of my 4 foot Waterbox 130.4 with 20% clear and 90% intensity. Figured this may help others out there.

 

[Spare time]

Kessil says that because of how much of their light is in the violet spectrum, that par is not able to accurately measure their lights. Make sure to keep this in mind when measuring their lights as you may not be picking up the full image. However, this is just what kessil says.

Anyways, I love these lights! I honestly think they give the best visuals out of any light that I have seen. I am thinking about getting some 360we's on my tank.

 

[Chipper1978]

Kessil says that because of how much of their light is in the violet spectrum, that par is not able to accurately measure their lights. Make sure to keep this in mind when measuring their lights as you may not be picking up the full image

Anyways, I love these lights! I honestly think they give the best visuals out of any light that I have seen. I am thinking about getting some 360we's on my tank.

Thanks for the reply! So are you saying the PAR numbers I got could be underestimates? Not sure if it matters or not, but I had the violets turned down to zero. I am by no means a light expert, so perhaps you could explain this further.

 

[Spare time]

Thanks for the reply! So are you saying the PAR numbers I got could be underestimates? Not sure if it matters or not, but I had the violets turned down to zero. I am by no means a light expert, so perhaps you could explain this further.

Ah! If the violets were at zero then it wouldn't matter. However, just remember that it is the blue/violet that grows coral the best! Just becareful not to make rapid changes


What I was saying is that kessil says that par isn't fully representative for their lights. However I am just quoting why they don't provide par numbers

 

[Grill]

Here is a BRS investigates on the A360Xs. Will Kessil's 360x small footprint = small PAR output?

 

[minus9]

I have the violet cranked during peak hours on mine. No red or green, but may play with adding a little eventually? Take full advantage of using the violet, without it, you're missing the extra sauce these lights bring to corals.

 

[StevePhx]

I have 10 360s going over my new build. Love the Kessil lights

My current tank is 3 360x and 4 T5s. I have to keep the intensity at 60% or less or I start bleaching corals

 

[Chipper1978]

I have 10 360s going over my new build. Love the Kessil lights

My current tank is 3 360x and 4 T5s. I have to keep the intensity at 60% or less or I start bleaching corals

Very nice!

 

[minus9]

I have six over my shallow 90g. Plus, 3 Orphek blue plus bars on three sides for extra pop. It's a great combo and with no T5 supplementation.

Sorry for the dark pics, lights were ramping down.

 

[Spare time]

I have six over my shallow 90g. Plus, 3 Orphek blue plus bars on three sides for extra pop. It's a great combo and with no T5 supplementation.

Sorry for the dark pics, lights were ramping down.

Lol no need to apologize for those pics they are amazing!

 

[User1]

I have six over my shallow 90g. Plus, 3 Orphek blue plus bars on three sides for extra pop. It's a great combo and with no T5 supplementation.

Sorry for the dark pics, lights were ramping down.

Looks great. How are you mounting the Kessil's? Look pretty level.

 

[minus9]

Looks great. How are you mounting the Kessil's? Look pretty level.

Right now I'm using shelving rails screwed into my canopy. I'm using the included triangles and zip ties, but I'm going to upgrade my canopy to 8020 (30 series) then mount the lights with the swivel mounts. I'm hoping to find the swivel mounts elsewhere, the branded ones are too expensive for what they are, especially when you can buy swivel mounts for $5 to $8 each. It's all about finding the M5 ball head screw.

 

[User1]

Right now I'm using shelving rails screwed into my canopy. I'm using the included triangles and zip ties, but I'm going to upgrade my canopy to 8020 (30 series) then mount the lights with the swivel mounts. I'm hoping to find the swivel mounts elsewhere, the branded ones are too expensive for what they are, especially when you can buy swivel mounts for $5 to $8 each. It's all about finding the M5 ball head screw.

Ok, got it. They look dang level for using the zip ties. Nice job.

 

[ap7x]

Awesome setup. What do you have the intensity for the kessils set at peak and how long?

I have six over my shallow 90g. Plus, 3 Orphek blue plus bars on three sides for extra pop. It's a great combo and with no T5 supplementation.

Sorry for the dark pics, lights were ramping down.

 

[minus9]

Ok, got it. They look dang level for using the zip ties. Nice job.

Thanks! I used the USB C cables, which pass through the zip ties to help balance the lights.

 

[minus9]

Awesome setup. What do you have the intensity for the kessils set at peak and how long?

Quick answer, 12hr light cycle with a 6hr to 8hr peak. In the past I used 6hrs as my peak time, but have increased the time to almost 8hrs now. Intensity during peak is 85% now, but I utilize a midday point to increase intensity in smaller increments, which my midday is 90%. I'm about to increase the beginning and end peak points to 87%, which I'll hold for a couple weeks, then I'll increase to match my midday intensity.
Color starts at 0%, then ramps up to 30% for the peak period, then back down to 0%. My violet follows the same logic, but I go to 100% during peak hours, no red or green.

 

[ap7x]

Thanks for the breakdown. Definitely great colors with just the kessils (no t5s). I have 2 360x over a 3’ 57g.

Originally had peak intensity at 60-70ish with a 6 hr peak duration (12 total) and saw some color loss. Been moving up peak intensity (at 87% now) as well as 7 hr peak duration. Getting pinks/purples back on WD and Lady in Pink, but most frags just getting neon green fluorescence... hoping it’s a transition color lol.

Are you noticing changes with the increased duration?

 

[minus9]

Thanks for the breakdown. Definitely great colors with just the kessils (no t5s). I have 2 360x over a 3’ 57g.

Originally had peak intensity at 60-70ish with a 6 hr peak duration (12 total) and saw some color loss. Been moving up peak intensity (at 87% now) as well as 7 hr peak duration. Getting pinks/purples back on WD and Lady in Pink, but most frags just getting neon green fluorescence... hoping it’s a transition color lol.

Are you noticing changes with the increased duration?

Yeah, I've noticed a change for the better with the longer peak period. I also think trace elements play a key roll in coloration as well, which why I'm going to start the reef moonshiners method very soon.

 

[Marc2952]

I have six over my shallow 90g. Plus, 3 Orphek blue plus bars on three sides for extra pop. It's a great combo and with no T5 supplementation.

Sorry for the dark pics, lights were ramping down.

You never dissapoint with those beautiful pics man. Your schedule helped me alot by the way thanks.

 

[minus9]

You never dissapoint with those beautiful pics man. Your schedule helped me alot by the way thanks.

Thank you and no worries. I personally think these are great lights, but most people expect them (like many other led's) to cover more area than they can, especially with sps. All you have to do is understand their capabilities and utilize them properly. Whenever I see the Radion vs Kessil post, I just laugh, especially when you count the number of lights they're using. Sps require complete coverage, no matter what light you're using. Sorry, back to the thread.