Sps under kessils?

[Reefs anonymous]

I'm currently running a successful sps tank under 6xT5's over a 40 breeder and am considering going to a 4xT5's, 2 kessils A360w's combo so I can get halide type shimmer. Does anyone here run a sps tank using kessils and if so would you mind posting it here and let me know how long it's been under the kessils. I'm looking for someone to either talk me into or out of the kessil idea. Thx

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I have a little 14g nano under a Kessil A160, and when I'm not trying to kill coral I have good growth... here's my blue stylo in May and today. It's sprouted 4 new branches off the left side and the right side has grown as well. It was under Radion xr30s at the LFS, and its kept the same color.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Here's an acro I had for about a month until a power outtage claimed it... colored up nicely and small, but noticeable growth. I miss that neon green thing.

 

[DSC reef]

4 T5's and 2 kessils will be plenty of light. That's what I'd go with if I ever decided to let the halides go.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

4 T5's and 2 kessils will be plenty of light. That's what I'd go with if I ever decided to let the halides go.

That's my plan when I build a 120. Two A360WEs between 4 T5, probably 2 blue+ and 2 coral+.

 

[DSC reef]

I bet it would look awesome. I think I'd go with 3 blue+ and 1 actinic then use the kessils at 20k to mimic the halides. We're about to drop money on a new Hamilton fixture though so the halides are staying. Good luck with the new 120.

 

[Reefs anonymous]

How is the shadowing effects of the kessils? Does the sps grow a weird pattern? I see some sps tanks under leds and the coral growth pattern looks unnatural when the sps grow into a colony. I figure if I'm using the 4t5's that would help the growth pattern of the sps look more natural.

 

[DSC reef]

I think the T5's would definitely help with shadowing. Random flow patterns will help with more natural growth patterns too.

 

[madweazl]

I have two A360WE's over a 75g (standard 48x18x21) mounted 15" apart with two 48" T5s (Coral+/Blue+) and I've been extremely pleased with the results since going SPS dominant about six weeks ago (T5s were added 10 July I believe).

With that said, these were taken prior to the T5s being installed with only the two Kessils running at 40% max intensity (and on a six hour ramp up and down from 10% at that).

Since adding the T5s, the base of that same acro is starting to turn white with the same pink tips and the green at the growing areas. I have no idea what the coral "should" look like but it is becoming pretty amazing and is really starting to take off now. I do believe the same results could have been achieved by turning the intensity of the Kessils up but I've been making gradual increases to intensity as I swapped over. In my opinion, the two Kessils supplemented by four T5s will do anything you could possibly want and I imagine you'll have the Kessil's intensity turned down quite a bit if you run all four T5s. The shimmer still comes through quite well with the two T5s.

 

[Mal11224]

How is the shadowing effects of the kessils? Does the sps grow a weird pattern? I see some sps tanks under leds and the coral growth pattern looks unnatural when the sps grow into a colony. I figure if I'm using the 4t5's that would help the growth pattern of the sps look more natural.

I have the AP700 and like many LEDs, there is some form of shadowing. The T5s should help diminish that and you should be able to grow corals nicely. I am adding T5s to my tank this week but I do still like the LED that I have and the growth is great in my tank. I just want to see what the T5 can add as far as coloration and growth.

 

[Reefs anonymous]

I think the T5's would definitely help with shadowing. Random flow patterns will help with more natural growth patterns too.

I got tons of flow 1 Ecotech 10mp on the left side , 1
Current eflux 1050GPH on the right side, and the return pump over 1000 GPH on a sea swirl in the middle of the tank. I got serious random waves going. But usually the under belly of the sps corals seem to die off from directional lights of leds. I'm hoping the 4 t5's are enough if I go that route.

 

[BoomCorals]

If you just get more of the LED and set them perpendicular you get very little shadowing if any. I have 6 of the SB reeflights over my sps dominated 180g and get little shadowing. I also can grow sps on the sand.

 

[minus9]

I started my 22g in Jan 2015 with a single a160, then added a second one a few months later. Fast forward to now and I have three 160's and a 4 bulb sunpower over it. This isn't because there's something wrong with the Kessil's or T5's, it's just that I have colonies shading colonies and I need light coming from all angles. I'm upgrading to a larger tank, but in the meantime I needed to make sure that all the corals were thriving until I'm able to transfer everything to my 90g. I think Kessil/T5 is the perfect combo of lighting. Although, for my 90g shallow build, I'm just using two AP700'S. Only time will tell if I need to add T5's?

 

[becks]

All grown out from frags, 2 years growth with kessils. Not my tank by the way

 

[Scorpius]

I run three Kessil A360we's and 4-24in T5's. I get the shimmer I like with the fill in light of T5's. My Acropora are happy.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I run three Kessil A360we's and 4-24in T5's. I get the shimmer I like with the fill in light of T5's. My Acropora are happy.

What size tank? Height of lights intinsity on Kessils and lighting interval? Trying to get as much info for my 120 SPS build next year.

 

[Scorpius]

Each tank is different. Kessils run 9am-8pm 55% intensity- 45% color from 11am-4pm. T5's run 12-3:30pm. All other times of the day are either ramp up/down.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Each tank is different. Kessils run 9am-8pm 55% intensity- 45% color from 11am-4pm. T5's run 12-3:30pm. All other times of the day are either ramp up/down.

Definitely, just getting some ballpark numbers for intinsity and photo period. I'll most likely have a PAR meter then to get things dialed in.

 

[madweazl]

Definitely, just getting some ballpark numbers for intinsity and photo period. I'll most likely have a PAR meter then to get things dialed in.

This thread has some PAR values for various intensities; may or may not be of use to you.

 

[Mal11224]

This thread has some PAR values for various intensities; may or may not be of use to you.

@madweazl ... great job on that post.