Reduce or eliminate shimmer on Kessil 360w

[Phlynamjax]

I have a single Kessil 360WE over 32x24x20 (66g) tank. I had an extra one from my 210g tank which I am currently using it on this 66g. This tank is FO with no corals. I get this crazy shimmer which makes the tank look very dim. When I turn off my powerhead, I get no shimmer and tank looks great. Is there any way to reduce the shimmer? I tried to reduce the surface agitation by lowering the powerheads. However, I cannot eliminate the surface agitation. For flow, I am using eheim 1260 as return and 2 x vortech mp40wqd at 30%. I am not interested in PAR as I do not have any corals to grow. I just want my tank to be bright and maximize color of my fishes to view. Should I consider putting diffuser on the top of the tank?

thanks,

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

You can add supplemental light bars that will help reduce some of the shimmer. I know Kessil makes light diffusers for the AP700 but I don't believe there's anything out for the A360WE or if anything has been announced yet.

 

[Gil03]

If you don't like shimmer then you went with the wrong lighting fixture as Kessil's are sought after for that very purpose. I don't know of any diffuser for the 360, if you still think it's too much shimmer for your eye tastes with minimum surface agitation then your best bet is to sell the Kessil.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Add a t5 fixture (one or two bulb will be fine). Makes the shimmer much more tolerable and will take care of the shadowing so the tank won't look as dim to your eye.

 

[Phlynamjax]

I am not sure how I can add T5 as I do not have canopy. I went with the Kessil because I really like the physical look of Kessil and I already had it. Will raising the light would help? or using some sort of diffuser sheet?

 

[Daniel Waters]

Raising the light = No
Diffuser = maybe (?) I've never seen or heard about a diffuser for kessils, though. And seems like a lot of effort. Sell the Kessil and buy T5s or a hybrid fixture.

Reducing surface agitation somehow is your best bet to reduce shimmer. If you haven't had the light very long, you will most likely not notice the shimmer as much after a few weeks or months....you'll just get used to it. Personally, though, I prefer T5 mixed with LEDs.

 

[Phlynamjax]

I am not sure how to reduce surface agitation. I am running my vortechs at 20~30% and placed 7 inches below the water line and it is still making surface agitation.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Use a piece of diffusion.
Opal frost. Hampshire Frost.
Both are heat resistant materials for photography.
BH video or other photographic retailers will carry it.
Or come to the house in SD. I’ve got rolls of it.

 

[HB AL]

There should be locations to mount your powerheads to greatly minimize the surface agitation. Then again with a FO tank you dont need to blast the tank like an sps tank would. If thats not possible then i think your only option is to change the light. Ive never noticed the brightness changing with or without any surface agitation, gonna try it when i get home although with 5 kessils i dont think its gonna change much if at all.