Kessil A500x light spill

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I recently replaced my AP700s (in a T5 hybrid) with three A500x lamps. The addition of uv and violet makes a huge difference. The only downside has been light spill. The 500 has a much wider pattern and shoots a stream of bright light out above the tank, filling the room (without any reflectors). I settled on a nine inch mounting height but these things would spill at half an inch off the water! The included 55 degree reflector is too narrow, plus I would have to raise my hybrid setup too high and the T5s would spill and I would be looking I up into the lamp when sitting on the couch. I really wish they had a reflector or shield to work better for a typical 2x2x2 cube or variant like my 6x2x2. Anyone else in the same boat, or am I crazy? Don’t answer that, I know I’m crazy!

 

[Montiman]

I have 2 9xs and 3 360s on my 750xxl. Basically a 6x2x2 180. I use the tra narrow reflectors with the lights 12 in off the water. Light spill is fine by me but I personally want a little bit of spill for even light in the tank.

I think the best solution is for us to stop setting up rimless tanks and go back to wood canopies.

 

[Midrats]

Barn doors like those used on stage lighting.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I have 2 9xs and 3 360s on my 750xxl. Basically a 6x2x2 180. I use the tra narrow reflectors with the lights 12 in off the water. Light spill is fine by me but I personally want a little bit of spill for even light in the tank.

I think the best solution is for us to stop setting up rimless tanks and go back to wood canopies.

I’m with ya on the rimless thing. This was my first rimless, same as you xxl 750. I have a t5 hybrid setup and when I was running the ap700s I made a 4 inch wide acrylic valance around the entire fixture which eliminated all the spill ( most was from the T5s, not the ap700s). Even with that I get a sheet of spill that is about one inch wide at the tank but goes up to almost four feet wide across the walls and floors at the furthest point. A canopy would be just fine with me. Just the gap between the waterline and the glass emits quite a bit of light and most canopies slide down past the waterline.

 

[areefer01]

Are you using the Lens with the A500? I think it comes with all vs. the a360x series. Also can mount lower and dial back power.

That is a pretty powerful unit. Heck the a360x is powerful.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Are you using the Lens with the A500? I think it comes with all vs. the a360x series. Also can mount lower and dial back power.

That is a pretty powerful unit. Heck the a360x is powerful.

Doesn’t work for me. It’s too narrow, so I would have add another light plus the coverage isn’t as smooth. Three shrouds would be much better than blowing another $800 for a light and ending up with uneven lighting. If I wasn’t running a t5 hybrid it would work as I could raise the lights higher for better coverage with the 55 degree reflector. I love having the T5s so that’s not an option.

 

[areefer01]

Doesn’t work for me. It’s too narrow, so I would have add another light plus the coverage isn’t as smooth. Three shrouds would be much better than blowing another $800 for a light and ending up with uneven lighting. If I wasn’t running a t5 hybrid it would work as I could raise the lights higher for better coverage with the 55 degree reflector. I love having the T5s so that’s not an option.

Got it, thanks. If I missed it sorry about that.

 

[Montiman]

The only other thing I could think of would be modifying the hybrid braket so the 500xs dipped down lower than the normal height.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Got it, thanks. If I missed it sorry about that.

No worries. I just wrote a quick reply didn’t mean it to come across as snarky.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

The only other thing I could think of would be modifying the hybrid braket so the 500xs dipped down lower than the normal height.

Actually how I have it now in trying to make it better. Someone else posted about color settings with the 500x and in replying to that post they told me they just ordered magnetic shrouds from printed reef. I just check out the site. They have something pretty close to what I’m thinking would work. I emailed them to see if they could make a wider/shorter version, so we’ll see. Otherwise I’ll have to make a taller valance to go around the whole fixture, which is really a floating canopy…so like you said before, rimmed tank with a wood canopy would have been better. These rimless jobs look great in photos and the lfs, but in your living room, sitting on the couch with sun glasses is crazy. I guess I could just put three foot tall stilts under the couch, might be easier ha

 

[Montiman]

Actually how I have it now in trying to make it better. Someone else posted about color settings with the 500x and in replying to that post they told me they just ordered magnetic shrouds from printed reef. I just check out the site. They have something pretty close to what I’m thinking would work. I emailed them to see if they could make a wider/shorter version, so we’ll see. Otherwise I’ll have to make a taller valance to go around the whole fixture, which is really a floating canopy…so like you said before, rimmed tank with a wood canopy would have been better. These rimless jobs look great in photos and the lfs, but in your living room, sitting on the couch with sun glasses is crazy. I guess I could just put three foot tall stilts under the couch, might be easier ha

I totally understand. Right now all my kessils are in a floating canopy which helps a bit.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I totally understand. Right now all my kessils are in a floating canopy which helps a bit.

I dig it. Almost identical to mine. I have the black version. My valance is close to half as tall as yours and a few inches lower. When I had ap700s the spill was very much like yours. The a500x has much, much more. I thought making the valance taller would look funny, but yours is perfect. I made mine from 3/16” acrylic as I was trying to save weight since it’s all suspended from the ceiling. What’s yours made of? Out of curiosity, can you raise and lower yours? I was trying to figure that out. When I first installed it there was a motorized bar available that you hang from the ceiling and it rotated to wind the cables up/down. I think it was like $300 but they were out of stock and now I can’t find them. I have plenty of clearance for day to maintenance but if I need to reach the bottom rear middle of my tank I have to swing the whole thing just a little. I always imagine that thing dropping in the tank. Kessils aren’t 120v at the fixture but the T5s are. Thanks for all your input on this!

 

[Montiman]

Mine is ply wood suspended from the ceiling so I can change the height but not easily. I thought of one more thing. I angle the end lights inwards and this does cut down on spill.

 

[AquaLogic]

It would be great if someone would print and sell some shades or barn doors for these lights.

 

[minus9]

It would be great if someone would print and sell some shades or barn doors for these lights.

@neonreef3d looks like something you could design?

 

[neonreef3d]

@neonreef3d looks like something you could design?

Yes, Working on now...

 

[AquaLogic]

Yes, Working on now...

That's great! Looking forward to it. I bought an a500x over the holidays for a future tank build and I'm about to put it over a Deskmate 9 gallon florida. (Yes, I know this is ridiculous, it will go on a larger tank eventaully) but having a shade for it would be awesome in the meantime.

 

[oreo54]

UNREEF - Etsy

Shop UNREEF by UNREEF located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

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[AquaLogic]

UNREEF - Etsy

Shop UNREEF by UNREEF located in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Smooth shipping! Has a history of shipping on time with tracking. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

www.etsy.com

Nice find, thanks.

 

[oreo54]

Nice find, thanks.

An adjustable one. Seems 3d printed "stuff" is quite popular on Etsy.

Light Shade SLIM for Kessil A360x, A500x Lights Adjustable - Etsy

This Aquariums & Tank Decor item by ReefMotion has 5 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Pleasant Hill, CA. Listed on Aug 11, 2024

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