Kessils + T5 (is this overdone)

[its.jojo]

I’m almost done building my new large cube system. I have 3 kessils (a360we) and I built a canopy with 4 t5 bulbs under it.

The tank is about 37x37x24 tall with a 5” eurobrace. That leaves a 27” square opening. My t5 bulbs are 24”.

I turned on the fixture with only 1 Kessil and the t5s installed and it seems a little crazy as it is. I’ve never run t5 so I’m looking for input.

Would three kessils + t5 be overkill for a mixed reef emphasizing sps?

 

[W1ngz]

Two kessils will get you all the coverage you need side to side. You probably won't get as much par at the front and back that way, since each A360 properly covers about a 24in area. Adding the 3rd kessil and arranging them in a triangular pattern would cover almost the entire 37*37 footprint.

The challenge with 3 might be too much light, and no place to put lower light corals in a mixed reef.

 

[minus9]

I have two AP700's and three Orphek OR2 blue plus bars over my 90g (36x36x16). Used to have two T5's on the sides, but wanted all LED and more coverage. With sps you'll want coverage and there will be places with lower par, especially under ledges and grown colonies.

 

[Beardo]

I don't think it is overkill myself. My tank is 72"x36"x24", eurobraced, sps dominant mixed reef, so basically yours times 2, and I run an 8x80 watt sunpower (T5) and 6 kessil a360we.

 

[specwar]

The T-5's will give you the "fill in" that LED's need tweaking to get right. I run a similar set up but with a 65watt actinic/magenta fluorescent set up and the rest LED's on both sides on a 36x24x12 set up. You can tell when you shut the T-5's off how shadows appear more prominent.

 

[its.jojo]

Thank you for the input y’all.

I’m going to go ahead with the 3 kessils and the 4 t5 bulbs.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Probably ok but I would acquire or find someone with a PAR meter and have them measure PAR for you which will answer your entire question. You will have precise readings and ability to adjust what is needed.

 

[its.jojo]

Probably ok but I would acquire or find someone with a PAR meter and have them measure PAR for you which will answer your entire question. You will have precise readings and ability to adjust what is needed.

I thought about that too. That’s the only way to know for sure.

 

[lmm1967]

I just tested out my setup with a par meter for the first time.

I have a 48 X 24 X 24 120 gallong tank, mesh screen tops, a 48" ATI hybrid running 4 ATI 48 Inch 54W Blue Plus T5HO plus 2 Kessil A360WE.

I am sorta surprised that with everything running at 100% intensity and color on the Kessils and all 4 T5's on - the max par I'm seeing anywhere in my tank is mid 200's - and a majority of the areas with coral is under 150.

The light fixture is 8" above the water surface. Screen tops on or off make a negligible difference - less than 10%.

That said - I don't think your setup is too much.

 

[Dal-Reef]

I’m almost done building my new large cube system. I have 3 kessils (a360we) and I built a canopy with 4 t5 bulbs under it.

The tank is about 37x37x24 tall with a 5” eurobrace. That leaves a 27” square opening. My t5 bulbs are 24”.

I turned on the fixture with only 1 Kessil and the t5s installed and it seems a little crazy as it is. I’ve never run t5 so I’m looking for input.

Would three kessils + t5 be overkill for a mixed reef emphasizing sps?

I have Reefer 250 with 2 360x with 4 T5 mounted AuquticLife Hybrid.. The T5's do fill in a lot and glad I went with them. 3 KisseI's would perfect for your setup. I only run the T5 around 5 hours a day when the Kissel at peak.

 

[andyman]

Interesting. I just ordered an ATI hybrid so you have me a little concerned here. Other people have just T5 and are getting mid 300 at 12" and 200 at the bottom (18.5"). They also report lights are 6" above water surface.

Can you run your test again with those parameters with only the T5? Also what type of PAR meter?

I just tested out my setup with a par meter for the first time.

I have a 48 X 24 X 24 120 gallong tank, mesh screen tops, a 48" ATI hybrid running 4 ATI 48 Inch 54W Blue Plus T5HO plus 2 Kessil A360WE.

I am sorta surprised that with everything running at 100% intensity and color on the Kessils and all 4 T5's on - the max par I'm seeing anywhere in my tank is mid 200's - and a majority of the areas with coral is under 150.

The light fixture is 8" above the water surface. Screen tops on or off make a negligible difference - less than 10%.

That said - I don't think your setup is too much.

 

[lmm1967]

Can you run your test again with those parameters with only the T5? Also what type of PAR meter?

Apogee SQ-510

I’ll be messing with it in the next day or so and will let you know what just the T5 gives me