Kessil Intensity

cccharliecc · May 7, 2018

Hi....Just wondering what intensity people are running their Kessil's at.
I have 3 A360WE's for a couple months now and started them at 15% now I'm up to 45%.

Should they eventually be at 80%-100%? I saw a BRS video the other day and I thought they had theirs at 100%.

Thanks!

hijinks7 · May 7, 2018

I have 2 on a 120g at around 70% but I also supplement the kessils with 4 t5 bulbs.

Evoixjohn · May 7, 2018

I have 2 on my 93g and now have them set to 90% because my huge nem loves the higher intensity for some reason. But it’s on the kessil timer remote,so I’m only running 90% only maybe 3hrs in schedule.

Evoixjohn · May 7, 2018

Evoixjohn said:
I have 2 on my 93g and now have them set to 90% because my huge nem loves the higher intensity for some reason. But it’s on the kessil timer remote,so I’m only running 90% only maybe 3hrs in schedule.

LetItReef · May 7, 2018

Max intensity at 50% for 4 hrs on 20” high tank and about 9-10” high from the water with mostly LPS and couple shrooms.

Daniel Waters · May 7, 2018

cccharliecc said:
Hi....Just wondering what intensity people are running their Kessil's at.
I have 3 A360WE's for a couple months now and started them at 15% now I'm up to 45%.

Should they eventually be at 80%-100%? I saw a BRS video the other day and I thought they had theirs at 100%.

Thanks!

They need to be at an intensity and duration to provide enough light for your inhabitants. Trying to reach a certain intensity % just because it's there and you can is not the goal.

Most of the BRS videos are instructional, so they are merely demonstrating the units at peak intensity, not making a recommendation for reefers on where they should be ran.

Daniel Waters · May 7, 2018

I realize my answer may not be as helpful as it could have been.

3 kessil A360 on what size tank? 3 on a 6 foot tank is very different than 3 on a 3 foot tank. What mounting height are the lights at? What corals are being kept? How long of an illumination period are you using? All these things can play a major role.

I will offer some other general guidelines. With the kessils, don't feel the need to have to change the color knob / spectrum throughout the day. You can set it to your preferred color and leave it.

An 8 hour to 12 hour photoperiod is reasonable. I've seen longer and I've seen less. Most people choose to do a ramp up / down for a dawn / dusk effect, but it's hardly required.

Unless your running acropora or a clam, I doubt you will have much need to try to run your lights at higher intensities. Most soft corals and LPS do not need a ton of light.

Peter K · May 8, 2018

I have 6 Kessils on a 6ft 180 (6x2x2) and run all at 100% for 9 hours day at 50% color, plus 1.5 hour ramp up in the morning and 1 hour ramp down at night. I run a mixed tank with all sps in the top 16” and lps either on the sand bed or lower rock structures.

Scorpius · May 9, 2018

3-360we's on a 3ft tank. No more than 45% intensity approximately 11ins above water line. Supplement with 4-T5 bulbs. Acropora happy and growing.

RCS82 · May 9, 2018

3 hour ramp up, 6 hours at 75%, 3 hour ramp down. Individual mileage may vary. Every tank is different.

minus9 · May 10, 2018

Like Daniel mentioned above, it's all about what you're keeping. Slowly increase intensity 2% a week (waiting a week or two before raising again) until your inhabitants tell you otherwise. Go slow and observe, be patient. There's no magic setting, so take your time. On my 22g sps nano tank, I had 3 160's and I think I was hitting 70% at peak, but that was unique for my setup. I currently have two ap700's over my 90g shallow and I'm just now hitting 42% at peak.

Peter K · May 10, 2018

minus9 said:
Like Daniel mentioned above, it's all about what you're keeping. Slowly increase intensity 2% a week (waiting a week or two before raising again) until your inhabitants tell you otherwise. Go slow and observe, be patient. There's no magic setting, so take your time. On my 22g sps nano tank, I had 3 160's and I think I was hitting 70% at peak, but that was unique for my setup. I currently have two ap700's over my 90g shallow and I'm just now hitting 42% at peak.

+1, you’re going to be more likely to kill your corals with too much light than too little so take your time.

I started off with 3 360’s on my 180 and when I added the additional three those increased by 5% a week starting at 25% intensity all the way to 100 where they are all now. Even still I lost two Acros to, what I believe was too much light, so the slower the better.

Eggpaul · Nov 14, 2018

hijinks7 said:
I have 2 on a 120g at around 70% but I also supplement the kessils with 4 t5 bulbs.

Can I see a picture of how you supplement with the T5s?

hijinks7 · Nov 14, 2018

Eggpaul said:
Can I see a picture of how you supplement with the T5s?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/48-h...re-with-led-mounting-system-aquatic-life.html

Mical · Nov 14, 2018

I have 2 kessil A360s over our 65 gal w/Nems. My lighting sched below - Tank is 24" deep

drtrash · Nov 14, 2018

Ap700 has a bigger kick than the 360's, running 50% with 4-t5's

Montiman · Nov 14, 2018

On my 120 I have 3 360s at 100% with 4 t5s color set at 60 during the peak.

jd371 · Nov 15, 2018

I'm running 4 160's in the Aquaticlife fixture. At their peak the Kessil's are at 100% intensity for 3 hours. The fixture is a little over 11" from the water surface.