Kessil A500x SPS dominant tanks?

[Rewd]

I am not finding much real world experience with these. I am about to start a 4'x2'x'2 120G tank and was planning on 4 older Hydra 26HD for SPS dominant. But I love the shimmer I get on my 90G mixed reef with the older a360we, but I need supplemental T5. I'd like this new tank to not have any T5.

 

[Coral-vault]

I am not finding much real world experience with these. I am about to start a 4'x2'x'2 120G tank and was planning on 4 older Hydra 26HD for SPS dominant. But I love the shimmer I get on my 90G mixed reef with the older a360we, but I need supplemental T5. I'd like this new tank to not have any T5

Run them with a combo of Orphek bars. You now have the shimmer, power, and great blue pop!

 

[Rewd]

trying to avoid supplemental lighting. i love the simple look of 2 large pucks above the tank

 

[Coral-vault]

trying to avoid supplemental lighting. i love the simple look of 2 large pucks above the tank

We use the 500's but only over torches and lps. I heard there was a shop in San Jose CA that did a lot of SPS under kessil but do not know who it is. I'm sure its possible once you get the right water level to light balance. I think a lot has to do with the type of coloration you are looking to get out of your SPS? I believe Cali Kid just installed a bunch of 500's

Wish i could be better help

 

[Wallace11]

BRS has a good video on the A360WE lights.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I dont think 2 single point light sources will provide a shadow less feature thats needed, but I agree looks/aesthetics wise it would be best. There is some shimmer to the AI lights also. But maybe a panel style will get you away from supplemental lights.

 

[Coral-vault]

I dont think 2 single point light sources will provide a shadow less feature thats needed, but I agree looks/aesthetics wise it would be best. There is some shimmer to the AI lights also. But maybe a panel style will get you away from supplemental lights.

I agree this is one issue we have had on most LED lights. The light doesn't wrap the entire coral unless you are using multiple

 

[Rewd]

I dont think 2 single point light sources will provide a shadow less feature thats needed, but I agree looks/aesthetics wise it would be best. There is some shimmer to the AI lights also. But maybe a panel style will get you away from supplemental lights.

That's what I'm most curious about. It's a shame these haven't been more widely tried out. The BRS videos on them are good data and info, but it's not real world success stories.

I have Hydra 26s on my 50G waterbox and they are awesome, and do provide some shimmer. But nothing comes close to replicating the old metal halide look like my 90G and the Kessils. But they require the extra T5 lol

 

[Coral-vault]

That's what I'm most curious about. It's a shame these haven't been more widely tried out. The BRS videos on them are good data and info, but it's not real world success stories.

I have Hydra 26s on my 50G waterbox and they are awesome, and do provide some shimmer. But nothing comes close to replicating the old metal halide look like my 90G and the Kessils. But they require the extra T5 lol

The 500 light is so new that people are still providing reviews. I think the main concern is the waves shadowing the other side of coral.

 

[minus9]

The 500x (and 360x) will grow sps just fine, but this style of light provides very strong contrast, so shading is a part of it. If you're going sps dominant, then I would suggest a couple more lights than what you have planned or use supplemental lighting along with them. I don't find contrast to be a bad thing, as the natural reef is full of contrast/shading, but we're accustomed to blanketed light in our tanks (which looks unnatural to me). Personally, I would pair them with some Quanta Pro bars and call it a day, but if you're looking for an ultra clean look with no canopy, then adding another light for a total of 3 would take you a long way. This way you have a few intersecting areas where stags or other branching sps will thrive and the encrusting corals can go below.
These lights grow coral all day long, don't let anyone else tell you different, but because they are point source, there's more contrast/shading. So as long as you know this, you can plan for it and design your rock work, etc accordingly. All of the modern LED's that are available today will grow coral (and sps), but you need to know how to use them to achieve the best results, so the argument about this brand is better than that brand is absolute garbage. If there was one clear "best ever" light fixture, it would be hanging over every single tank, right? Happy reefing!

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

brs has a spot on video of how many are needed for tank sizes and par levels . i have 3 on a 4 foot tank and have no issues if i was packed with sps i would have 6. i have reefbrites xho just for shadowing and they look the best out of any light bar for light. i have tried them all.

 

[Rewd]

brs has a spot on video of how many are needed for tank sizes and par levels . i have 3 on a 4 foot tank and have no issues if i was packed with sps i would have 6. i have reefbrites xho just for shadowing and they look the best out of any light bar for light. i have tried them all.

You would have 6 a500x over a 4 foot tank?? Or do you mean the smaller a360x?

 

[Coral-vault]

You would have 6 a500x over a 4 foot tank?? Or do you mean the smaller a360x?

I would want to see examples of reef tanks with the lighting set up you plan to run. I always like to see proof of a lights performance. Also keep in mind coral coloration and pop vs keeping a coral alive or growing.

 

[Rewd]

I would want to see examples of reef tanks with the lighting set up you plan to run. I always like to see proof of a lights performance. Also keep in mind coral coloration and pop vs keeping a coral alive or growing.

Totally agree. Hence the point of this post but I think your earlier point is accurate... This light is too new and probably not a widely adopted yet. If anyone out there is reading this and has huge success with just a500x, please speak up! Haha

 

[minus9]

Check out my build thread and see what I did with Kessil's. I used 360x's, but the 500x is a more powerful version that packs more punch, which is the only difference other than physical size of the fixture. I'll post some pics of my tank in a minute.

 

[minus9]

 

[Rewd]

That is very nice!!! What are those strips you're using for fill light?

 

[minus9]

That is very nice!!! What are those strips you're using for fill light?

I was using Orphek OR2 blue plus bars. I've since moved to Quanta Pro meso blue bars, which I really like and they out perform the Orpheks (and xho's combined).

 

[Coral-vault]

I was using Orphek OR2 blue plus bars. I've since moved to Quanta Pro meso blue bars, which I really like and they out perform the Orpheks (and xho's combined).

Beautiful set up

 

[areefer01]

As long as the hobbyist knows the type of kit the Kessil is they will be fine. The dense matrix array packs a different punch than the panel kits. The a500x is packs a heck of a lot of power in that array but it provides lens to provide spread or focus blended in with mounting height options. To say that they don't grow SPS is sort of demeaning as this is what they are designed for.

Also know that a reef is built upon the death of other corals. The point is that as corals mature or grow shade is a natural part of it. That is when the hobbyist gets involved to garden.

I should note that I've only used the a360x and not a a500x as it was not available at the time. I've yet found a light kit that provides a comparable shimmer. I've not also found a kit that provides the contrast or depth. I've since moved to a panel kit but not because of Kessil.

Side note: if shimmer is a requirement you have the correct kits. If you are looking at other kits there may be some others that are worth at least considering depending on the spectrum flavor.