Kessil A360X

[tmcjilton]

I have just started cycling a 65gal tank which I plan to be a mixed reef. I got this tank for a steal and it definitely has some limitations which have forced me to compromise in certain areas, but lighting is an area which I don’t want to compromise.

I am considering the Kessil A360X but have a couple concerns. The tank dimensions are: 18.4 in L x 36.4 in W x 25 in H. The tank is NOT rimless and has a plastic rim running right down the middle on the top from back to front, creating 2 sides, which you can put glass in as a “cover”. My first question would be, is one of these lights enough to get me going? (I do not plan on introducing much corals until the tank is well established. But in the future I plan on adding more, and would probably add an additional A360X, splitting them up, one on the left and one on the right.) My other concern is that the piece running down the middle will interfere with the light if I were to only have one and hang it in the middle of the tank. I don’t want to cut this piece out as I believe it is adding some structural support to the glass, and as this was an inexpensive tank, I don’t want to risk anything. I’m hoping to get away with just one for now to save some $, but may go a different route entirely if this setup isn’t ideal. I appreciate any input. Thanks!

 

[JoshH]

@Crabs Mcjones your thoughts?? I'd say spring for an A700 myself but I've never owned one so yielding to someone with a little more experience... I do know that you can't cut out that center brace and it would prevent you from running it in the center of your tank...

 

[JBKReef]

I have just started cycling a 65gal tank which I plan to be a mixed reef. I got this tank for a steal and it definitely has some limitations which have forced me to compromise in certain areas, but lighting is an area which I don’t want to compromise.

I am considering the Kessil A360X but have a couple concerns. The tank dimensions are: 18.4 in L x 36.4 in W x 25 in H. The tank is NOT rimless and has a plastic rim running right down the middle on the top from back to front, creating 2 sides, which you can put glass in as a “cover”. My first question would be, is one of these lights enough to get me going? (I do not plan on introducing much corals until the tank is well established. But in the future I plan on adding more, and would probably add an additional A360X, splitting them up, one on the left and one on the right.) My other concern is that the piece running down the middle will interfere with the light if I were to only have one and hang it in the middle of the tank. I don’t want to cut this piece out as I believe it is adding some structural support to the glass, and as this was an inexpensive tank, I don’t want to risk anything. I’m hoping to get away with just one for now to save some $, but may go a different route entirely if this setup isn’t ideal. I appreciate any input. Thanks!

I would suggest two Kessil A160's and the Aquatic Life T5 hybrid fixture. Purchase the Aquatic Life t5 fixture first, 4 T5 bulbs over that will be enough power for softies and then down the road when you want to add in more LPS or SPS corals you can add in the Kessil's to give that punch of PAR you need. Two A160s would have each Kessil covering a 18x18 inch section which is exacly what they say is the sweet spot for their mix reef.

All in that will be $720. Much under the $900 price of 2 A360X's and in my mind will grow the same corals and have just as much power.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Correct, that would be your tanks center support brace, do not remove it under any circumstances. And you would want to do two A360X's or A360WE's, one on each side of the center brace, or as @JoshH mentioned, a single AP700 (which is basically two 360X's is one fixture) over the center of the tank, should help with that center brace. Unfortunately there isn't a way to use only one fixture in the center with that support brace blocking the way.

 

[andrewkw]

While it won't completely eliminate the shadow it is pretty easy to replace a black center brace with clear acrylic. Just drain the tank cut out the brace and then attach acrylic with nylon screws and nuts and you're good. I did this in 2008 or so to reduce shadows from T5's and the tank is still fine. I can explain in more detail if you want but you should be able to find other threads on this as well.

 

[tmcjilton]

Correct, that would be your tanks center support brace, do not remove it under any circumstances. And you would want to do two A360X's or A360WE's, one on each side of the center brace, or as @JoshH mentioned, a single AP700 (which is basically two 360X's is one fixture) over the center of the tank, should help with that center brace. Unfortunately there isn't a way to use only one fixture in the center with that support brace blocking the way.

Thanks. I was hoping to split the cost up and go for the A360X’s one at a time and get one now, but seeing as how my tank has a ways to go before I’m comfortable adding corals, I will rethink this. What’s the difference in quality between 2 A360X’s and the AP700, and which route would you recommend? I’m trying to keep this simple and clean as possible so I may go with the AP700 but I know nothing about it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks. I was hoping to split the cost up and go for the A360X’s one at a time and get one now, but seeing as how my tank has a ways to go before I’m comfortable adding corals, I will rethink this. What’s the difference in quality between 2 A360X’s and the AP700, and which route would you recommend? I’m trying to keep this simple and clean as possible so I may go with the AP700 but I know nothing about it.

I really liked the AP700, I haven't done anything with the 360X's yet. I guess it's really going to depend on your personal preferences. If you want two pendants over your tank or a single slender fixture Both will perform well for you

 

[tmcjilton]

I really liked the AP700, I haven't done anything with the 360X's yet. I guess it's really going to depend on your personal preferences. If you want two pendants over your tank or a single slender fixture Both will perform well for you

Thanks for the input! Seeing as how the A700 is a bit cheaper than the 2 A360X’s, I think I may give it a shot after doing some more reading on it. It also will simplify things for me having just one slim fixture.

 

[Daniel Waters]

@tmcjilton I would recommend you go to a store and look at the AP700 and the Kessil A360x.

I've never used the Kessil AP700, but I do use the Kessil A360WE's. I wasn't that impressed with the initial reviews I saw of the Kessil A360x (and it isn't worth upgrading for me). However, I was at my LFS today and they had installed the new Kessil A360x. I will say I was very impressed with the color. I think the Kessil A360's and the AP700 both give a nice deep blue color. However, the new violet diodes in the Kessil A360x really make a difference in my opinion in the visual quality of the light. I'm not sure I'd want a light that didn't have that violet that can be added in after seeing it in person. Plus, the new A360x just looks super sleek. However, I do think the AP700 is probably more power and would be a better fixture to provide potentially higher par (I think the AP700 has significantly more LED's per puck than the A360's). The extra par capability might be a consideration for you if you want higher light corals. The A360X has great spread but isn't necessarily a par monster. Of course, you would need two of the Kessil A360x because of your brace on your tank (and maybe the spectral controller), so the added cost might not be worth it. But before you commit to one light over another, you really should take extra time to get the light you really want, so I'd encourage you to check them out in person.