Kessil A500x - what intensity over sps ?

[acropora4u]

I am running it at about half power 80 W per kessil and I have two of them over my SPS reef tank. But I think it may be a bit much because it seems to be burning corals possibly? What is the intensity on your kessil a 500?

 

[Kfactor]

best bet get a par meter

 

[acropora4u]

I was just wondering what everybody else who successful with kessils has the setting on So I can use that until I can get a par meter

 

[Infinite Reef]

Some people call it a light cannon so I'd say start around half intensity until you can get a par meter

 

[acropora4u]

Some people call it a light cannon so I'd say start around half intensity until you can get a par meter

yep. I am at 80w so that’s half. Tks

 

[flagg37]

It will depend heavily on how far above the water surface you have the light, and even more, how deep the coral is placed under the water. Is the coral directly under the light? Is it shaded at all?

 

[flagg37]

You also mentioned it’s an sps tank but different corals have different lighting requirements. I will add that people jump to their lighting way to quickly when assessing problems with their coral. Most often it’s a water quality issue.

 

[acropora4u]

It will depend heavily on how far above the water surface you have the light, and even more, how deep the coral is placed under the water. Is the coral directly under the light? Is it shaded at all?

About 18” Below the light and acropora corals. All of them

 

[acropora4u]

You also mentioned it’s an sps tank but different corals have different lighting requirements. I will add that people jump to their lighting way to quickly when assessing problems with their coral. Most often it’s a water quality issue.

Alk 8.0 po4 .1 no3 4.5 Calc 420 mag 1300 salinity 1.026

 

[rocket098]

I test with an apogee 650 and with 6 inches above water and 40 inch deep tank from a single light at 90% power you get about 200 par reading. At 20 inches below surf it’s about 600. Just an example but hope this helps. Are you using the reflectors.

 

[acropora4u]

I test with an apogee 650 and with 6 inches above water and 40 inch deep tank from a single light at 90% power you get about 200 par reading. At 20 inches below surf it’s about 600. Just an example but hope this helps. Are you using the reflectors.

Wow. I need to cut power down from 50% intensity down to maybe 40% and see.

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Wow. I need to cut power down from 50% intensity down to maybe 40% and see.

I have read par on the A500x. How high above the water is your Kessil? How deep under the water surface is your Acros? Then I can get pretty close to telling you exactly.

 

[acropora4u]

I have read par on the A500x. How high above the water is your Kessil? How deep under the water surface is your Acros? Then I can get pretty close to telling you exactly.

Kessil is 9” above the water and corals About 18” Below the light and all acropora corals. All of them

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

About 18” Below the light and all acropora corals. All of them

That doesn't tell me what I asked you. For instance, is the Kessil mounted 9 inches above the water surface? And are the Acros 6 inches under the water surface?

That's what I need to know.

 

[acropora4u]

The kessil is mounted 9 inches above the water and the Acros are at 9 inches below the water

 

[Hurricane Aquatics]

Thanks, I would adjust the intensity to 40%

Word of caution, I'm a big believer in UV which is the violet adjustment. Not sure what you have that set on, but the higher it goes the more PAR increases.

If you adjust to 40%, I would run your violet channel about 50 to 60%.

You have some supplemental lighting I see. That is adding to your PAR of course. Once you change it, leave it and let everything adjust.

 

[acropora4u]

Thanks, I would adjust the intensity to 40%

Word of caution, I'm a big believer in UV which is the violet adjustment. Not sure what you have that set on, but the higher it goes the more PAR increases.

If you adjust to 40%, I would run your violet channel about 50 to 60%.

You have some supplemental lighting I see. That is adding to your PAR of course. Once you change it, leave it and let everything adjust.

Thanks. I keep the “ color “ knob at about 30% or mostly blue on the kessil. I will set it at 40% thank you so much

 

[92Miata]

A par meter isn't really helpful here - as there isn't any real data about what corals actually need. Some people will tell you a specific acro needs 200+ and then the next guy will tell you he's keeping it under 900. And neither is wrong. It's just not that useful in real life.


If the corals look like they're getting burned, they're getting too much light. Either move the coral down, or lower intensity. Listen to what the corals are telling you - they're a better indicator than a meter.