Nervous about my lighting on IM 30 long

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

I'm using 2 A80's spread evenly over the tank with the spectral controller preset 1. I'm nervous that these two lights are not powerful enough to properly grow corals.

Can someone shed some light (pun intended) on if I'm okay or should I look at upgrading ?

Fyi tank just finished cycling and my first fish went in. So corals are visible over the hill but I'm still not ready.

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

The A80s are good enough to get you by with most LPS and some lower light SPS. I use them over IM10 and over an IM20. In the past I used AI Primes over my IM30L. Which are great for all types of corals.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Highgrade said:
The A80s are good enough to get you by with most LPS and some lower light SPS. I use them over IM10 and over an IM20. In the past I used AI Primes over my IM30L. Which are great for all types of corals.

See I have the controller and the lights I'd be more prone to purchasing a 160 before swapping companies not because I drank the koolaid but for what's available to me now. Would 1 160 be good or do I need two?

But overall you think the two A80s are sufficient ?

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Here’s a pic of one of my IM10s with A80

This is the IM 30L with the Primes to give you an idea.

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
See I have the controller and the lights I'd be more prone to purchasing a 160 before swapping companies not because I drank the koolaid but for what's available to me now. Would 1 160 be good or do I need two?

But overall you think the two A80s are sufficient ?

Coverage wise you might be better running a 3rd A80 or going with two A160s which is plenty for the 30L.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Highgrade said:
Coverage wise you might be better running a 3rd A80 or going with two A160s which is plenty for the 30L.

Thats what I've been thinking ... A third A80. Unless I find a stellar deal on two 160's

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
Thats what I've been thinking ... A third A80. Unless I find a stellar deal on two 160's

Keep and eye out on SaltwaterAquarium.com and BRS open box section. I just picked up an A80 with Gooseneck last week for $100. It was brand new - just open box.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Highgrade said:
Keep and eye out on SaltwaterAquarium.com and BRS open box section. I just picked up an A80 with Gooseneck last week for $100. It was brand new - just open box.

Hey, send it this way

Tuffyyyyy · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
Thats what I've been thinking ... A third A80. Unless I find a stellar deal on two 160's

I'm actually having the same dilemma. I think the a80 does a much better job of lighting than a lot of people on this forum like to think. That said, I'm most likely going to get another Kessil a80 because 2 of them aren't providing nearly enough coverage for the 36" long tank. I have 2x Kessil a80 and a 24" T5 fixture hanging over mine. Some of my corals clearly prefer having the assistance T5 light (duncans), and others prefer just the a80 (acans). I have the T5 timed to be on while I'm at work, so when I get home and want to enjoy my tank it's all blue from the Kessils.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Tuffyyyyy said:
I'm actually having the same dilemma. I think the a80 does a much better job of lighting than a lot of people on this forum like to think. That said, I'm most likely going to get another Kessil a80 because 2 of them aren't providing nearly enough coverage for the 36" long tank. I have 2x Kessil a80 and a 24" T5 fixture hanging over mine. Some of my corals clearly prefer having the assistance T5 light (duncans), and others prefer just the a80 (acans). I have the T5 timed to be on while I'm at work, so when I get home and want to enjoy my tank it's all blue from the Kessils.

But you think they're sufficient intensity and color for corals to have proper growth?

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
But you think they're sufficient intensity and color for corals to have proper growth?

Most definitely. As previously stated by @Tuffyyyyy these lights are underrated by most people. They're more than capable of growing all types of coral.

JBKReef · Apr 22, 2019

I have two A80's over a 25 lagoon. You can see my build thread in the my signature. Softies are growing without an issue. Lost of people use 1 Kessil A80 over the 10 gallon IM and grow just about anything. At BRS they talked about growing a clam under the A80 in a 10 gallon. With the increased spread required, you will be just fine with easier LPS and all softies. Just be weary of any SPS.

BestMomEver · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
But you think they're sufficient intensity and color for corals to have proper growth?

I had an A80 over a five gallon. Mushrooms, zoas, leathers, trees, and a euphyllia did well. SPS... not so much. Good luck!

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

JBKReef said:
I have two A80's over a 25 lagoon. You can see my build thread in the my signature. Softies are growing without an issue. Lost of people use 1 Kessil A80 over the 10 gallon IM and grow just about anything. At BRS they talked about growing a clam under the A80 in a 10 gallon. With the increased spread required, you will be just fine with easier LPS and all softies. Just be weary of any SPS.

So with 3 A80's are SPS still a concern ?

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
So with 3 A80's are SPS still a concern ?

It would depend on the SPS. I've grown deep water acros, Stylophora, Styloconellia, montis, porites, and psammacora no problem. I use a IM10 with the A80 for a QT tank, strictly corals only. Acros will definitely live and grow under the A80 but the light is not as intense as most acros prefer. So the acros will not have the color potential they would under other lighting.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Highgrade said:
It would depend on the SPS. I've grown deep water acros, Stylophora, Styloconellia, montis, porites, and psammacora no problem. I use a IM10 with the A80 for a QT tank, strictly corals only. Acros will definitely live and grow under the A80 but the light is not as intense as most acros prefer. So the acros will not have the color potential they would under other lighting.

I guess I'll play it by ear. Start off with what I have and if I see I need another light I'll check out my options. Good to know I'll be okay with the 2 A80'S for now

Tuffyyyyy · Apr 22, 2019

If you're concerned about growing SPS then add one of these and you'll have no issues keeping anything:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-9...4&s=gateway&sprefix=t5+fixture,aps,146&sr=8-3

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Tuffyyyyy said:
If you're concerned about growing SPS then add one of these and you'll have no issues keeping anything:

https://www.amazon.com/Sunblaster-904296-NanoTech-Fixture-Reflector/dp/B00AKKUBDQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=364JIJAMEOYYN&keywords=t5+fixture&qid=1555953024&s=gateway&sprefix=t5+fixture,aps,146&sr=8-3

I want to avoid those at all costs.

Hallowhead · Apr 22, 2019

Highgrade said:
Here’s a pic of one of my IM10s with A80

This is the IM 30L with the Primes to give you an idea.

I notice you have no additional powerheads? What are you return pumps?

Highgrade · Apr 22, 2019

Hallowhead said:
I notice you have no additional powerheads? What are you return pumps?

On the IM10 just stock pumps with spin streams. On my IM20 I just put in the IM Larger MightyJet pump yesterday I highly suggest the MightyJet for the IM30L as an upgrade. Currently running the MightyJet on pulse mode-lowest setting in the IM20 and its rocking some nice waves with the VCA RFG nozzles. No extra wavemakers since I don't want my Black widow nems to get blended. They seem to move around often.