Kessil + ?? = Perfect

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

Lighting is the one thing I have not looked at in detail yet. I have been learning all about the chemistry of my tank, and working on building the new tank and set up and equipment and pumps and flow. I mainly keep LPS corals, and not looking to get into SPS any time soon.

I have 2 A360W Tuna Blue kessil lights for either side of my new 180, but had gotten an older halide for the middle. I am second guessing the halide choice. The sump is being plumbed to the basement, so I am a little worried about heat and the water staying heated through the cycle, so the heat from the halide might not be so bad - and if I am only using one.

Opinions on if I should stick with the halide in the center or switch to a radion? With the $$$$$$ I am shelling out for new pumps, powerheads and such, I would like to keep cost down as much as possible for this. Should I go LED? Any advice is much appreciated!

(also looking to get an APEX, so would like them to be able to be controlled from there).

Radman73 · Nov 22, 2017

Personally, I'd stay the course until you have evidence that your lights are holding you back.

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

Radman73 said:
Personally, I'd stay the course until you have evidence that your lights are holding you back.

I have T5 in my 120 - they were ok. So, I have never used Kessil and was worried about the heat from the Halide

Radman73 · Nov 22, 2017

Understand completely. But I wouldn't buy a new light before I knew the Halide was really an issue. Maybe hold out to see if that new T5 hybrid fixture comes out in a 72" version.

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

Radman73 said:
Understand completely. But I wouldn't buy a new light before I knew the Halide was really an issue. Maybe hold out to see if that new T5 hybrid fixture comes out in a 72" version.

Thank you! I will do that.

BigJim · Nov 22, 2017

Why not get a third Kessil for the center? That should be enough for an LPS tank. If you decide to go SPS in the future, you could always look into one of the new Aquatic Life fixtures that would allow you to easily combine Kessils with T5 lighting.

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

BigJim said:
Why not get a third Kessil for the center? That should be enough for an LPS tank. If you decide to go SPS in the future, you could always look into one of the new Aquatic Life fixtures that would allow you to easily combine Kessils with T5 lighting.

Just wasn't sure if that was a good option. I have been reading a lot about people combining lights for the best results.

BigJim · Nov 22, 2017

Mini Coop said:
Just wasn't sure if that was a good option. I have been reading a lot about people combining lights for the best results.

It worked out well for me even with SPS. I eventually added T5 lighting as well. A standard 180 is 3 inches taller than my tank but it would work. Here is my tank thread if you want to take a look.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bigjims-155-tank-thread.257840/

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

BigJim said:
It worked out well for me even with SPS. I eventually added T5 lighting as well. A standard 180 is 3 inches taller than my tank but it would work. Here is my tank thread if you want to take a look.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bigjims-155-tank-thread.257840/

Thanks! Beautiful tank! I just read your entire thread.

Thank you for sharing!

hart24601 · Nov 22, 2017

Radman73 said:
Understand completely. But I wouldn't buy a new light before I knew the Halide was really an issue. Maybe hold out to see if that new T5 hybrid fixture comes out in a 72" version.

I would also do this.

Terry4505 · Nov 22, 2017

So... I dealt with a very similar question when first setting up my 180, with basement sump. I wasn't sure what lights to go with. You can read through my build thread here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/terrys-180-sps-peninsula-upgrade.218181/

I ultimately decided on Kessils with T5 supplements.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 22, 2017

3 360 depending on height , will support high light corals. 4 would be better coverage and spread(the reason most add t5 +a minor par boost) 4 in fact could be considered overkill by some.

It may help to google par charts and par maps on google image searches.

The basics are , you put a bright light on a rectangle box the father away the less bright it is. (Ignore the muliple par "spots " for a mintute)

Any color you choose on a kessil will grow coral. To much or too little brightness may cause problems.
This is spectrum and intensity.
This is a good thing to know when beginning to understand PAR.

Daniel Waters · Nov 22, 2017

Do you have a canopy or contemplating one? T5 with Kessils are great combinations. I also run radions. I prefer the shimmer of the kessils, but I like radions for other reasons. I have 4 bulbs of t5, 4 kessil A360s and 2 radions XR15 pros on my 6 foot tank The kessil and radion blend pretty well,so I didn't have issues with that.

Bradley Keck · Nov 22, 2017

I feel your pain regarding all the money spent on other equipment. I am at a similar stage, except I currently do not have anything up and going. I have spent countless hours over the past two years studying the science of lighting a reef, the various options, and then various combos. I understand your concerns regarding the one MH in the middle. There are of course, some dedicated MH reef hobbiest out there who would tell you that heat and energy are way over exaggerated and that MH are the only option that can be used for "higher end" SPS. Since you have no intension of going with an SPS dominant set-up, I see know reason to use the MH other than you already have it. I have come to the conclusion based on many opinions here on R2R and BRS videos that a Kessil T5 hybrid system is hard to beat. Problem is $$. Kessils will break the bank for sure. I am convinced that I can get the PAR and spread I need for a mixed reef in many different ways. What starts to set each option apart from one another is cost, heat, energy use, bulb replacement, and most important in my book, the look. Contrast, shimmer, and color are going to be key for how satisfied I am with what I choose. From what I am understanding, Kessils are the LED king of shimmer and spectrum blending. If you have seen them light a tank alone, you know how much shimmer they have. My personal opinion is it is too much. However, add T5 lighting for more uniform light spread and less shadowing and the shimmer is toned down to what others have called a near perfect shimmer. You have most of what you need already for a set-up like this, so I agree with what some of the others have said, why not just go with another kessil or two? I have a 60x24x24 and most have recommended three if not 4 kessils. To me, that is all relative to the aquascape and of course type of corals. Three Kessils with T-5's could be perfect for your 180 as long as you are selective with placement and types of corals right? I have a thread I started under lighting with a lot of positive feedback from others here on R2R regarding kessils. Has me convinced that if I can make it work in my budget, I should go with them and t5's. Good luck! Your system sounds like it is going to be epic!

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

Daniel Waters said:
Do you have a canopy or contemplating one? T5 with Kessils are great combinations. I also run radions. I prefer the shimmer of the kessils, but I like radions for other reasons. I have 4 bulbs of t5, 4 kessil A360s and 2 radions XR15 pros on my 6 foot tank The kessil and radion blend pretty well,so I didn't have issues with that.

Yes. I am planning on a canopy! That sounds like a lot of lights. Would love to see underneath to see what exactly you are explaining. Do you run them all at the same time?

Which brings another question - I purchased the glass top for the tank, however, I’m not sure that I need it if I am putting a canopy on. Thinking of doing a screen instead. Opinions? Does the glass effect the light?

Daniel Waters · Nov 22, 2017

First off, I'd like to echo what Bradley said. I think the Kessil shimmer is great but almost too much. I find the t5s tone it down to a perfect level. I love the t5s because it eliminates the shadowing. Choice of bulbs is another discussion.

With a canopy, I find the t5 + led option very workable and easy to implement. You put your led pendants in the middle and a two bulb t5 strip on each side (for a total of 4 bulbs).

As far as glass top, I think those are fine if you have fish you think may jump. I like screen tops for more air flow. I'd go without a top but I have a goby that would probably go carpet surfing, and I once caught my regal angel getting chased out when I had my top off...you just never know if a fish may jump or not and I'm not risking it with some of my fish!

My leds come on first, then t5s kick on an hour later, t5s kick off an hour before the leds kick off. I would call my set up more of a LED with t5 supplement versus t5 with led supplement, as the LEDs are giving me most of my light energy. I run the t5s a little less time b/c I like a dawn / dusk look the leds are great at doing, and I know I can get a full 12 months from the bulbs this way before needing to change them.

Let me see if I can get you pictures. I did my canopy design a bit different as I have vaulted ceilings and did not want long rods going up. Plus, my canopy is kind of piecemeal of different parts I bought. I am not a diy guy at all.

Daniel Waters · Nov 22, 2017

Here are some canopy pictures. I'll have to explain what I did later if you want. I hardly would call what I did ideal, but there are things I really like (wire cage piece for example is great for hanging things from...that is a 72" x 24" wire piece for kitchen shelving type stuff from uline or similar company)

Daniel Waters · Nov 22, 2017

Basically i had two steel poles into studs. I laid the wire shelving on top and zip tied on top of the steel / aluminum type rods. I then built a canopy that slides on top and sits and can be pulled on and off easily. I made my facade using laminate shelving board b/c it was perfect lengths and already the color I needed. That made it much heavier than it needed to be. I could have built one and spray painted, but I am not very handy with projects, even simple stuff like that.

Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread!

BigJim · Nov 22, 2017

Mini Coop said:
Yes. I am planning on a canopy! That sounds like a lot of lights. Would love to see underneath to see what exactly you are explaining. Do you run them all at the same time?

Which brings another question - I purchased the glass top for the tank, however, I’m not sure that I need it if I am putting a canopy on. Thinking of doing a screen instead. Opinions? Does the glass effect the light?

My tank came with glass lids and I had issues with them steaming up and blocking light. I ended up going with the brs screen kits.

Mini Coop · Nov 22, 2017

BigJim said:
My tank came with glass lids and I had issues with them steaming up and blocking light. I ended up going with the brs screen kits.

I am thinking this way as well. My 120 has glass top and has SO MUCH salt creep on it - of course it is at my brother and sister in laws house, so they aren't keeping it clean like I do, but I am thinking the screen might be better in the long run.