kessil spectral controller and kessil A360 HELP!!!!!

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

I have a Kessil A36o and have ordered the controller that should be coming in a couple days and have a couple questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.

I am relatively new to this hobby so sorry of these questions are a little basic

I have a 40 gallon Innovative Marine 40 gallon all in one tank.

So my Kessil A360 has 2 knobs. One controls the color. Blue to white?

The other dial controls the strength of the light.

When I am setting up my controller how high do I want the strength? How white do I want the color 2 get? I am so confused and don't want to hurt any of my corals or fish.

Can someone help

Thanks so much

Highgrade · Jan 26, 2016

What type of corals are in your tank and what lighting are you running currently?

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

Great question......

I have no corals now but I want to get some easy ones

I do have a red bubble tip anemone that seems to be doing well. I also have another tube type anemone that is in the sand that does great.

The lighting I just turn on by hand in the morning. I was told the strength should just be barely up. Like 5% ( I have no idea if this accurate) I keep it on blue most of the day and have the white light on for 4-5 hours then back to blue then off.

Sounds stupid and nieve thats why I'm asking the question and getting the controller

Kershaw · Jan 26, 2016

I have had kessil a350w and have a360ws now. I do not have the controller. I use apex to do the same thing. I always start at 50/50. After about 2 weeks I move it up between 5 and 10 percent each week. My 360s are at 95% now. When I buy new coral I watch to see what lights they where under at store. If they are under led. I ask what they run them at and turn mine down. And bring back up a week at time. I also have ramping set up on mine. Oh and I leave color at 80 to 100% the intensity is the one you need to be carful with. If you want to see my program pm me.

Kershaw · Jan 26, 2016

Oh and the kessil a360. Don't even turn on till you get to about 14%

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

Kershaw,

Thanks for your feedback. So are you saying that your intensity is at 95%?

chefjpaul · Jan 26, 2016

I had exactly the same set up.

-Turn the knobs all way down when you use the controller, the start up settings really depends on corals present currently. There is an acclimation mode - a few good utube videos out there.

-How high is your rock work, that may impact light settings needed.

-How high is the light now? Be sure to slowly ramp it up if you have corals already. Like over months.

I only had mine maxed out @
80% color
60% intensity, but I had a very tall structure with sps in top and clams & anemone at bottom.

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

chefpaul,

Thats great feedback. Thank you. My rock work is about 3/4 of the way up at its highest

Kershaw · Jan 26, 2016

My tank is 20 inches deep and I just looked at program and they are at 90% intensity for about 6 hours. Lights about 10 inch from water. Most important thing is take your time ramping them up. Like others said months. It sounds like forever. But it will go by fast. I recommend waiting to go over 60% if you will be getting lots of coral In a short time. Other wise you will have to turn it down all the time.

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

thank you

chefjpaul · Jan 26, 2016

Good points kershaw,

I had the light hanging over the nuvo @12"

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

My light is about 6 inches above the water. Keep in mind the innovative marine comes with a screen top. Maybe I need to move the light up a bit?

chefjpaul · Jan 26, 2016

You're going to get better spread the higher you go, my opinion on this tank & light is about 10" for no lighting spill over.

I personally never used the screen, but had no jumping fish either.

Stew18 · Jan 26, 2016

the screen brings me peace

Highgrade · Jan 26, 2016

Stew18 said:
My light is about 6 inches above the water. Keep in mind the innovative marine comes with a screen top. Maybe I need to move the light up a bit?

The IM screens seems to block out some of the light and leaves a noticeable checker pattern IMO. As for the color spectrum start on the lower end towards blue and intensity between 30-50% dependant on coral placement. My RBTA seems to prefer the 30% color and around 50% intensity. If your nem is anything like most BTA it will move around a bit before settling in. Mainly based on flow and lighting. As for other corals you may want to get acquainted with the acclimation feature.