Kessil a360x
- Thread starter Nmaran72
- Start date
- Tagged users None
OP
OP
Nmaran72
Active Member
The ap700 I have is 6 months old and I constantly have to reset it because the lights blink on and off from time to time. And I just can’t find a true color spectrum I am happy with
RCS82
Well-Known Member
I have a soft spot for Kessils cause I like the shimmer and their controller is a breeze to set up but if you're unhappy with your ap700 then I would go straight to Radions. I don't think Kessils can quite match the colors that you can get with Radions and you will still have some nice shimmer.
RCS82
Well-Known Member
I run halides as my main lighting. In my opinion nothing beats them, they have the par, the spectrum, the spread (with a good reflector), and even the shimmer. But I enjoy the ramping up and down, and colors you can you can get with leds. I've had Kessil 360WEs in the past so I picked up a pair of 360Xs to play with. They got traded in for a set of XR15 gen 4 pros after only a week or 2.
I am in the process of setting up a new system and considering a t5 led hybrid system. Basically most leds I have seen cant compete with t5s as far as par coverage. ATI has a reasonably priced system ,with a new dimmiable version due out this summer. The next question is what led do I pair it with?
RCS82
Well-Known Member
The Radions are my first choice. Loving them. But they are just supplemental and not my main lighting. Using them wireless with a reef link is easy too. Who knows when Kessil will release theirs.
OP
OP
Nmaran72
Active Member
That’s where I’m at. I built a custom hood for a hybrid setup I put 4 ati dimmables. I have the ap 700 but consider on going with different led fixture just don’t know what the heck I want lol.
to me Kessil's bread and butter is the pendant style, they have perfected this. People talk about par all the time, unless you are going full SPS all over... this is really not a concern in MOST tanks... not all. But ive always had a mixture from soft to LPS to SPS and had no issues with even the original 350w. I wish I could get the X, but i'm gonna settle for the we and NE. i personally like the shimmer in combination with some lower lit areas. I know T5's grow corals but it also lights up the room like a christmas tree. I have a good amount of negative space in my tank, small island out front of one side... i do not want the whole side/back/floors lit up! so I'm going to use a Narrow version on that side... also gets more penetration. I can not stress enough how NATURAL i find kessils look.
But i personally like, lower light areas, high peaks, softies in the corners, etc. I also think certain fish appreciate the graduate shift of lighting depending on area of tank.
Anyways... just my 2 cents
But i personally like, lower light areas, high peaks, softies in the corners, etc. I also think certain fish appreciate the graduate shift of lighting depending on area of tank.
Anyways... just my 2 cents
minus9
5000 Club Member
The app for the 700's isn't the best and I really wish that Kessil would update/change it. I have two AP700's over my 90g and I like them, but the app makes the transitions between color and intensity, well, not a transition at all. I think if you just set a color and ramp up and down intensity, you're good to go. As far as them shutting off randomly, I think that could be the driver? I had an issue where the incoming voltage to my house dropped and one of my 700's shut off completely. It wasn't until I was going to send it back that I looked closer at the driver and found the variable voltage pot. I turned down the pot all the way, then turned it up to where I thought 120v would be and plugged it in and it turned on. I believe that the pot was adjusted too high and simply didn't have the voltage to power the unit properly (just my theory). Anyways, after adjusting both drivers, my lights haven't flickered or shut off, but I also think the app drives some of the flickering and on/off issues as well.
These lights work and grow coral perfectly fine. If sps is your thing, then you'll need plenty of coverage to minimize shadowing, whether it be, radions, kessil, AI, it doesn't matter, you'll need a lot to cover the tank. I think T5/led hybrids are a perfect combo, just pick the led you like and go. There's virtually no difference between a xr15 pro with a diffuser and a 360x. To get the color blending the Kessil has, you need to raise the xr15 higher or use the diffuser, either way, the PAR numbers are virtually the same. It really comes down to personal preference.
Here's what three 160's and T5's did over my 22g. The T5's were only used for 6hrs a day and during the last year and a half on this tank.
As a side note, I'll be switching out my 700's for 360x's. This will allow me to position each light independently.
These lights work and grow coral perfectly fine. If sps is your thing, then you'll need plenty of coverage to minimize shadowing, whether it be, radions, kessil, AI, it doesn't matter, you'll need a lot to cover the tank. I think T5/led hybrids are a perfect combo, just pick the led you like and go. There's virtually no difference between a xr15 pro with a diffuser and a 360x. To get the color blending the Kessil has, you need to raise the xr15 higher or use the diffuser, either way, the PAR numbers are virtually the same. It really comes down to personal preference.
Here's what three 160's and T5's did over my 22g. The T5's were only used for 6hrs a day and during the last year and a half on this tank.
As a side note, I'll be switching out my 700's for 360x's. This will allow me to position each light independently.
OP
OP
Nmaran72
Active Member
The app for the 700's isn't the best and I really wish that Kessil would update/change it. I have two AP700's over my 90g and I like them, but the app makes the transitions between color and intensity, well, not a transition at all. I think if you just set a color and ramp up and down intensity, you're good to go. As far as them shutting off randomly, I think that could be the driver? I had an issue where the incoming voltage to my house dropped and one of my 700's shut off completely. It wasn't until I was going to send it back that I looked closer at the driver and found the variable voltage pot. I turned down the pot all the way, then turned it up to where I thought 120v would be and plugged it in and it turned on. I believe that the pot was adjusted too high and simply didn't have the voltage to power the unit properly (just my theory). Anyways, after adjusting both drivers, my lights haven't flickered or shut off, but I also think the app drives some of the flickering and on/off issues as well.
These lights work and grow coral perfectly fine. If sps is your thing, then you'll need plenty of coverage to minimize shadowing, whether it be, radions, kessil, AI, it doesn't matter, you'll need a lot to cover the tank. I think T5/led hybrids are a perfect combo, just pick the led you like and go. There's virtually no difference between a xr15 pro with a diffuser and a 360x. To get the color blending the Kessil has, you need to raise the xr15 higher or use the diffuser, either way, the PAR numbers are virtually the same. It really comes down to personal preference.
Here's what three 160's and T5's did over my 22g. The T5's were only used for 6hrs a day and during the last year and a half on this tank.
As a side note, I'll be switching out my 700's for 360x's. This will allow me to position each light independently.
I couldn’t agree more. I spoke with kessil there is an updated 4.0 version for the 700 to correct the flicker/shut off but I have not done it yet since I had bought the 360 x and plan on putting the 700 on my frag tank. But when I do the upgrade I will let you know if it corrected it
minus9
5000 Club Member
Cool. I'll have to reach out to them and maybe do the update? Is it software or firmware?
Mjl714
Valuable Member
The app for the 700's isn't the best and I really wish that Kessil would update/change it. I have two AP700's over my 90g and I like them, but the app makes the transitions between color and intensity, well, not a transition at all. I think if you just set a color and ramp up and down intensity, you're good to go. As far as them shutting off randomly, I think that could be the driver? I had an issue where the incoming voltage to my house dropped and one of my 700's shut off completely. It wasn't until I was going to send it back that I looked closer at the driver and found the variable voltage pot. I turned down the pot all the way, then turned it up to where I thought 120v would be and plugged it in and it turned on. I believe that the pot was adjusted too high and simply didn't have the voltage to power the unit properly (just my theory). Anyways, after adjusting both drivers, my lights haven't flickered or shut off, but I also think the app drives some of the flickering and on/off issues as well.
These lights work and grow coral perfectly fine. If sps is your thing, then you'll need plenty of coverage to minimize shadowing, whether it be, radions, kessil, AI, it doesn't matter, you'll need a lot to cover the tank. I think T5/led hybrids are a perfect combo, just pick the led you like and go. There's virtually no difference between a xr15 pro with a diffuser and a 360x. To get the color blending the Kessil has, you need to raise the xr15 higher or use the diffuser, either way, the PAR numbers are virtually the same. It really comes down to personal preference.
Here's what three 160's and T5's did over my 22g. The T5's were only used for 6hrs a day and during the last year and a half on this tank.
As a side note, I'll be switching out my 700's for 360x's. This will allow me to position each light independently.
I like the independent positioning of a360x.
GoatmealJones
Active Member
The app for the 700's isn't the best and I really wish that Kessil would update/change it. I have two AP700's over my 90g and I like them, but the app makes the transitions between color and intensity, well, not a transition at all. I think if you just set a color and ramp up and down intensity, you're good to go. As far as them shutting off randomly, I think that could be the driver? I had an issue where the incoming voltage to my house dropped and one of my 700's shut off completely. It wasn't until I was going to send it back that I looked closer at the driver and found the variable voltage pot. I turned down the pot all the way, then turned it up to where I thought 120v would be and plugged it in and it turned on. I believe that the pot was adjusted too high and simply didn't have the voltage to power the unit properly (just my theory). Anyways, after adjusting both drivers, my lights haven't flickered or shut off, but I also think the app drives some of the flickering and on/off issues as well.
These lights work and grow coral perfectly fine. If sps is your thing, then you'll need plenty of coverage to minimize shadowing, whether it be, radions, kessil, AI, it doesn't matter, you'll need a lot to cover the tank. I think T5/led hybrids are a perfect combo, just pick the led you like and go. There's virtually no difference between a xr15 pro with a diffuser and a 360x. To get the color blending the Kessil has, you need to raise the xr15 higher or use the diffuser, either way, the PAR numbers are virtually the same. It really comes down to personal preference.
Here's what three 160's and T5's did over my 22g. The T5's were only used for 6hrs a day and during the last year and a half on this tank.
As a side note, I'll be switching out my 700's for 360x's. This will allow me to position each light independently.
have you made the switch yet? I have 2 360x's on the way to replace my 160's on my 36' 50 reef mixed but mostly SPS intended and would be interested in hearing your opinion given your success keeping SPS w 160's
ReefPiracy
Active Member
I did firmware update on AP700 out box. I have radions orphek T5 and ap700. Really dig the kessil. Even when you switch colors par is always the same. When you do turn off whites on other lights you loose massive par. Easy slider bar and spread is fantastic. Not a par monster compared to other lights but puts down 250-350. What color are you looking for?
