Kessil A80 / Nano and SPS / Please advise before I pull the trigger

GoVols · Feb 11, 2017

Is anybody growing SPS with the A8o in a nano?

Please give me your honest experience

Regards, GoVols

Diesel · Feb 11, 2017

What size nano?

SeaweedSammy · Feb 11, 2017

I am actually going through the same thing you are believe it or not. Some questions are very important to answer. I know you probably do know have a lux meter, however if you happen to get your hands on one that would be more than helpful. The kessil displays the output on the back of the box, but as the light ages you can't be to sure of the light being put off. I currently starting off with zoas, palys, and many beginner corals to test out the quality of the a80. I have had no complaints and I have seen exceptional growth in my zoas the past few weeks. I do plain on upgrading and buying another a80, to share the space and to give a more consistent, better growth rate. I wouldn't dive into full sps until you're sure your tank is established. As far as only using one a80, anything is possible. I do think it would be more difficult. Please send back some specs or your tank. That's always a great start.

e572 · Feb 21, 2017

I'm ordering one today for my 5 gallon marineland portrait tank. Can't wait ill post pics might be next week.

GoVols · Feb 21, 2017

Welp, Looks like this thread came back to life

I was looking to do a mod and got some input from another reefer over here that's been running the a80.

The end result was I bought 4 - a80's / controller and a bunch of 90 degree links to mod into my RSM S 400 t5 canopy and make it look factory. He said that he felt like they had enough par to do the job.

So I band sawed and sanded down the 5" heat sinks to 3.75" to fit my factory mid section.
Took about 8 hours to complete the entire mod.

The only complaint is the controller comes with a short link wire. So I got a long one at Best Buy so I could lay the control on top of the S 400 power center so it wont get wet.

Well, Now I have the Kessil shimmer with the T5 front and back fill in.

It has enough spread but I have SPS near the bottom of my 24" deep tank so I'm running 2 t5's for the extra par.

Got LUCKY on this mod

If you have a small tank or nano, It will do the job and has the same shimmer that the 360's have.

Regards, GoVols

GoVols · Feb 22, 2017

Here's a some pictures. Sorry for the picture quality. lol, Old cell phone pictures

Regards, GoVols

e572 · Feb 23, 2017

I just ordered 3 of them so I guess I'm all in lol.

lou dog420 · Feb 23, 2017

I personally will never buy another kessil. I do love the look they provide, but I really don't think they are capable of growing nice sps.

e572 · Feb 23, 2017

GoVols said:
Here's a some pictures. Sorry for the picture quality. lol, Old cell phone pictures

Regards, GoVols

That looks awesome now I'm really excited to get these!!!

GoVols · Feb 23, 2017

lou dog420 said:
I personally will never buy another kessil. I do love the look they provide, but I really don't think they are capable of growing nice sps.

I ran the a350s when they first came out and had very good SPS success.

But you got to buy enough to pull off the correct led spread.

Go look a Slief's build thread on another site.

But... I'll keep running as a Hybird, Best of both worlds

Also, I fully respect your incite.

The pictures are terrible but I was running the tank the same way and pulled out a 36" Orbit Marine Pro bar and Modded in the Kessils last week end.

I had that bar in there since last spring and my sps are taking off.

I'd take kessil's over the OMP bar any day of the week.

lou dog420 · Feb 23, 2017

GoVols said:
I ran the a350s when they first came out and had very good SPS success.

But you got to buy enough to pull off the correct led spread.

Go look a Slief's build thread on another site.

But... I'll keep running as a Hybird, Best of both worlds

Also, I fully respect your incite.

Yea I had to add 2 - 54 watt t5 tubes to my 360 wides

lou dog420 · Feb 23, 2017

My next light will be 3 hydra 26s mounted in an ATI fixture. When I talk my accountant ( AKA the wife ) into it!!

GoVols · Feb 23, 2017

lou dog420 said:
Yea I had to add 2 - 54 watt t5 tubes to my 360 wides

See this link and enjoy a all Kessil 500 gallon reef. He is switching to GHL Mytra's but if you do Kessil's the right way with the correct led spread it will do the job.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476&page=81

GoVols · Feb 23, 2017

lou dog420 said:
My next light will be 3 hydra 26s mounted in an ATI fixture. When I talk my accountant ( AKA the wife ) into it!!

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not going to stop running my T5's either

lou dog420 · Feb 23, 2017

GoVols said:
lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not going to stop running my T5's either

Amen to that. My clam won't even open until my T5's kick on, and the leds are on for 2 hours before.

GoVols · Feb 23, 2017

lou dog420 said:
Amen to that. My clam won't even open until my T5's kick on, and the leds are on for 2 hours before.

Well, I had a 36" 54 watt Orbit Marine Pro in there since last spring.

So the only change is the Kessil's at 60 watts modded into the same place as that bar and I now I have the Kessil shimmer

I was happy with the OMP but I'll take these Kessil's over it all day long.

So don't get me wrong. I'm staying T5/Led Hybird but I've done a small reef with all Kessil and it got the job done.