Kessil needs supplemental lighting?

1fishkeeper · Jul 8, 2019

I got a quick question about lighting. I currently have a kessil A160 over my 30 gallon cube tank 20x20x20. It ramps up to 100% at mid day and then ramps down. To me it feels like corals at the bottom don’t get enough light to me. I was thinking about getting a aqualife hybrid set up that comes with 4 T5’s with it. Does anyone think this might be the case or a good idea?

JustAnotherNanoTank · Jul 8, 2019

You said it ramps up to 100% then goes down. How long is it at 100? How long are your ramp times? What kinds of corals are you trying to care for?

1fishkeeper · Jul 9, 2019

It starts at 8 and ramps up to 100% at 2 then starts to ramp down and is off at 9. As for the types of corals I have tried SPS on the top LPS all over and zoas all with no luck. They all look like they are not getting enough light to me.

mr9iron · Jul 9, 2019

Have you considered adding another Kessil 160 or a 360we or the new 360x?

Any of those options should provide you with enough light.

Kyl · Jul 9, 2019

It's a 40w max light, don't expect the world. I run 3 with the t5 hybrid on my 4' 16" deep tank,

sarcophytonIndy · Jul 9, 2019

tighten the ramping schedule so it is at 100 longer would help

1fishkeeper · Jul 9, 2019

How long do you think it needs to be at 100%?

minus9 · Jul 9, 2019

I used 3 160's over my 22g sps dominant tank and maxed out @ 70% intensity, granted it's a smaller tank than yours, but they have enough power. I would get another 160 and you should be fine with covering the tank. Use a 12hr lighting cycle with at least 6 to 8 hours of peak time. I had longer ramp times, 3hrs up and 3hrs down with a 6hr peak @ 70%. You could do a 2hr ramp with a longer peak time if you want, just reduce the intensity and see how things react. The key with single point light sources is having multiples (whether it be Kessil, Radion or the like) when using them with sps.

1fishkeeper · Jul 9, 2019

This is it right now. I’m really thinking about doing the hybrid with 4 T5’s. On a side note this is just to fill in the gap until I set up my 200 gallon again that’s sitting in storage. That one is easy with MH and T5’s.

minus9 · Jul 9, 2019

Kessil/T5 hybrid is really a great combo, can't go wrong.

sarcophytonIndy · Jul 9, 2019

1fishkeeper said:
How long do you think it needs to be at 100%?

I would gradually increase it by maybe 20 minutes each week until you see some results. Are you also changing the white/blue mix? I have mine at 40 (more blue) during the peak day hours, and then ramp it to 80 (more white) in the morning and evening. Below is a picture of 3 360s over a 125.

melanotaenia · Jul 9, 2019

agree, the combo would likely work best, Geissman also makes a hybrid light as well with 4 T5 you can check out.

1fishkeeper · Jul 10, 2019

Well I’m pulling the trigger and ordering the hybrid set up to go with my kessil. So it will be my A160 and 4 T5’s. That should be good I think with ATI bulbs.

TheGreatWave · Jul 10, 2019

I think that combo will work well for your tank.

minus9 · Jul 11, 2019

Last top down shot of my 22g before I upgraded. T5/kessil hybrid for the last year of its life. You can see the reflection of the 160's, two in front and one in the back (all were angled pointed to the center)

Sorry for the blue pics, but this was before I had filters for the phone

1fishkeeper · Jul 11, 2019

minus9 said:
Last top down shot of my 22g before I upgraded. T5/kessil hybrid for the last year of its life. You can see the reflection of the 160's, two in front and one in the back (all were angled pointed to the center)

Sorry for the blue pics, but this was before I had filters for the phone

Amazing