Kessil lighting Question

[Evan West]

So I need to change something up, currently i have a single a360we over my 20g long tank and that has been working fine but im noticing some issues from shading. So I am thinking of either adding a kessil a80 on either side of the 360 or selling the 360 and putting 3 a80 over the tank. Opinions?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The a80s are like an iPhone flashlight.

You'd want 160s.

 

[Mandrew]

T5! [emoji51]

 

[BigHildy53]

T5! [emoji51]

Suggesting to add T5 lighting, or replace?

 

[nitro]

T5 or you could look into Reefbrite strips.

 

[Mandrew]

Suggesting to add T5 lighting, or replace?

If getting a new light I would go t5, but now that you say that, a retrofit would probably look beautiful on that tank. It would solve the shadowing issue, as well give you the Kessil shimmer.

 

[Evan West]

Problem is Idk how to add the t5 without it looking super goofy or blocking part of the light from the kessil, currently don't have the ability to have a permanent hood, see the picture below.

 

[Evan West]

Could add a 2nd a360we but I feel like that's super overkill for a 20g long

 

[Mandrew]

It would be over kill but you can turn them down obviously. And who are you trying to fool? You will upgrade eventually and you won't need new lights [emoji6]

 

[Evan West]

It would be over kill but you can turn them down obviously. And who are you trying to fool? You will upgrade eventually and you won't need new lights [emoji6]

Lol nah i think id run them at 100%......haha i think my current one is only at like 25%

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What makes you feel like your having shadowing issues?

The single 360 is actually over kill on your tank. The 160 would most likeley work to fill in the gap.

 

[Robert Fowler]

I agree that the a80's aren't enough I had one over a 10 gallon cube and got rid of it for a AI Prime.

 

[Evan West]

What makes you feel like your having shadowing issues?

The single 360 is actually over kill on your tank. The 160 would most likeley work to fill in the gap.

Mainly I have some big Euphillias that are hard to see in that picture and the ones on the outside seem to be getting less light and growing slower, also some of my acans near the edge have half the polyps lit up nice and bright but the ones on the outside are not at well lit and not as colored up. Id have to break out the good camera to actually get pictures to show that arent phone pics.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Mainly I have some big Euphillias that are hard to see in that picture and the ones on the outside seem to be getting less light and growing slower, also some of my acans near the edge have half the polyps lit up nice and bright but the ones on the outside are not at well lit and not as colored up. Id have to break out the good camera to actually get pictures to show that arent phone pics.

Ah got it. It's just not covering the whole tank evenly I take it.

 

[Evan West]

Ah got it. It's just not covering the whole tank evenly I take it.

Exactly

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea a second 360 would be most flexible and be fine. Plus upgrades possibility later.

Adding A single 160 would probaly be fine considering your power usage on the light now, but would look funny on the tank.
You could match intensity with a simple Lux meter.

 

[Evan West]

Yea a second 360 would be most flexible and be fine. Plus upgrades possibility later.

Adding A single 160 would probaly be fine considering your power usage on the light now, but would look funny on the tank.
You could match intensity with a simple Lux meter.

I think id rather just pick up a used 360 at that point

 

[cjd]

Raise the 360 up higher off the water line and turn up intensity. With kessil I find that the spread you want needs to match how high off the water line. Personally I would go with adding a second one ....just for the upgrade in the future, but a cheap alternative is a ceiling hook , some chain and a S hook from home depot and hang that bad boy about 16-17 inches off the water line and turn it up ! If you can handle the light spill into the room?????

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think id rather just pick up a used 360 at that point

Yep.

 

[Evan West]

Raise the 360 up higher off the water line and turn up intensity. With kessil I find that the spread you want needs to match how high off the water line. Personally I would go with adding a second one ....just for the upgrade in the future, but a cheap alternative is a ceiling hook , some chain and a S hook from home depot and hang that bad boy about 16-17 inches off the water line and turn it up ! If you can handle the light spill into the room?????

Its already 17" off the water lol