Lighting Suggestions

AllSignsPointToFish · May 22, 2016

I have a six foot, 125 gallon tank. I've been running three Kessil A360WEs, which I absolutely love. They give the shimmer of metal halide without all of the heat.

However, just like metal halide and all point sources of light, they produce some pretty stark shadows. As such, I've been considering supplementing the Kessils with additional lighting. Here are the options I've been considering:

1. Two 60" T5HOs, with the possibility of increasing the total to four in the future. I would probably make one a Coral Plus and the other a true actinic. To offset some of the purple, I could run the Kessils whiter. I would have to install a retrofit kit unless I totally redid my canopy lighting.
2. Four Kessil A160WEs, placed at strategic locations. I could run these on a separate ramp or just ramp all of the Kessils identically with a lower final intensity, but completely dimmable.
3. A combination of 1 and 2. May the two T5HOs with two Kessil A160WEs. Middle of the road alternative.

I'm open to suggestions. Obviously, the T5 route is the cheapest, and T5s are known for good coral growth.

Any other ideas?

TIA!

Salt-Lick · May 22, 2016

I would run the t5s as well.
Will give a good spread. Not to many or you will eliminate the shimmer the kessils give off

AllSignsPointToFish · May 22, 2016

Salt-Lick said:
I would run the t5s as well.
Will give a good spread. Not to many or you will eliminate the shimmer the kessils give off

That's what I was thinking, too. I think two 80W should be good to start off with.

Salt-Lick · May 22, 2016

My friend has a 120 gallon with 3 kessils and had the same issues. He added 4 48" t5s to fix the shadowing but it washed out the shimmer. We removed 2 of the 4 t5s and it was perfect. Good luck and post some pictures when your done

jvb89 · May 22, 2016

My 180. I run the t5's for 5hrs. I can see plenty of shimmer while they are on.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 22, 2016

How many T5s do you run?

jvb89 · May 22, 2016

2 front and 2 rear. So 4 total.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 22, 2016

60", I assume?

jvb89 · May 22, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish · May 22, 2016

Cool. Thanks!

jvb89 · May 22, 2016

Your welcome!

Bpb · May 23, 2016

I would absolutely run 2 front and 2 rear with an ATI Blue+ and True Actinic in each pair and dial in the kessils to make the tank as white as you want. I am betting your growth and color improve dramatically by doing that

jvb89 · May 23, 2016

I run 3 geisemann actinic blues and a super purple. The kessil only goes to 40%. I get pretty good color and growth.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 23, 2016

Salt-Lick said:
My friend has a 120 gallon with 3 kessils and had the same issues. He added 4 48" t5s to fix the shadowing but it washed out the shimmer. We removed 2 of the 4 t5s and it was perfect. Good luck and post some pictures when your done

Do you happen to know what setting your friend runs the Kessils at?

AllSignsPointToFish · May 23, 2016

Bpb said:
I would absolutely run 2 front and 2 rear with an ATI Blue+ and True Actinic in each pair and dial in the kessils to make the tank as white as you want. I am betting your growth and color improve dramatically by doing that

Does the characteristic Kessil shimmer go away?

AllSignsPointToFish · May 23, 2016

Well, I ordered a 5' Miro retrofit kit with ATI true actinic bulbs. I figure that bulbs are cheap, and I can always switch out bulbs and hold the others in reserve until I order another twin bulb retrofit it.

I also figured that I can whiten up the Kessils to offset some of the actinic blue.

jvb89 · May 24, 2016

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Well, I ordered a 5' Miro retrofit kit with ATI true actinic bulbs. I figure that bulbs are cheap, and I can always switch out bulbs and hold the others in reserve until I order another twin bulb retrofit it.

I also figured that I can whiten up the Kessils to offset some of the actinic blue.

You will definitely see the kessil shimmer.