The official unofficial Kessil Spectral Controller schedule

[dbraunst]

Hi everyone. Since getting a Kessil A360W and now a Spectral Controller I've been on this constant quest to find what is the "best" schedule for my tank. I've heard tons of different answers and have tried a variety of suggestions. Some say never go above 50% intensity, some blast both intensity and color all day long. So after asking a Kessil rep about what schedule he recommends he gave me the right answer which is everyone's tank is different and it depends. I decided to press him a little and he gave me the goods after asking him, "what would YOU do if it was your tank?" So here's the schedule he gave me that they use on their tanks at Kessil HQ:

Time Color Intensity
8:00 0% 15%
10:00 20% 50%
12:00 50% 100%
14:00 75% 100%
16:00 40% 50%
18:00 0% 0%

He says, "It is very difficult to make a recommendation for a specific tank, however, the color setting is primarily for aesthetics and minimally effects the spectrum. The intensity is essential for coral health, growth, and appearance. Depending on your current lighting schedule, we recommend starting at 10% intensity in the morning and working up to 100% intensity in the middle of the day for 1 hour, and then ramping back down. If your coral can take it, you can extend this peak period at 100% bit by bit."

So there you have it. Don't shoot the messenger as I know everyone's situation is different and have had varying success with different schedules. Just thought I'd share with those of you like me who were looking for some guidance. Happy reefing!!

 

[Hellsinki]

here's what I'm running on my 30 gallon. It has glass top covers which I'm sure don't help. Light is the 160WE
0855 0% 65%
1000 5% 100%
1400 50% 100%
1500 45% 100%
1900 20% 100%
2100 0% 100%

Corals are all healthy. Growth is slow I guess. My zoas and palys are reproducing. Tank is about 4 months old.

 

[dbraunst]

Cool. Glad it's working out for you!

 

[JDMREEF]

how high up is the 160? I have a gooseneck with mine over 29g cube

here's what I'm running on my 30 gallon. It has glass top covers which I'm sure don't help. Light is the 160WE
0855 0% 65%
1000 5% 100%
1400 50% 100%
1500 45% 100%
1900 20% 100%
2100 0% 100%

Corals are all healthy. Growth is slow I guess. My zoas and palys are reproducing. Tank is about 4 months old.

 

[Hellsinki]

4" above the water

 

[4fishies]

Thanks for the thread! I'm going to try out the Kessil schedule too, see how the coral responds!

However, I've been using this schedule for the last three months with decent success, sps, lps, zoo's, etc... I have 3 A360WE on a 125 gallon.

12:00 - 0/5
14:00 - 50/70
16:00 - 60/100
20:00 - 60/100
22:00 - 50-70
23:59 - 0/0

 

[GammaRay]

there's so benefit to ramping up to 100 color?

 

[Hellsinki]

there's so benefit to ramping up to 100 color?

I tried that only to have more algae growth with no benefit. My understanding is that many corals like the higher Kelvin (more on the blue end) than the opposite.

 

[dbraunst]

I tried that only to have more algae growth with no benefit. My understanding is that many corals like the higher Kelvin (more on the blue end) than the opposite.

I'm going to try yours out Hellsinki. I'm getting the algae. Need to dial down the whites I believe but intensity isn't a problem. How is yours doing?

 

[Daniel92481]

I’m using the Kessil 160 at about 7 inches above the Lagoon 25 with good color, good growth so far, and things seem happy. Here’s my schedule, I was curious to dialing it in a little more and wanted to see what others thoughts were?

1100- 15, 30

1500- 20, 60

1800- 20, 50

2000- 15, 50

2200- 10, 40

2359- 0, 0

 

[Daniel92481]

Hi everyone. Since getting a Kessil A360W and now a Spectral Controller I've been on this constant quest to find what is the "best" schedule for my tank. I've heard tons of different answers and have tried a variety of suggestions. Some say never go above 50% intensity, some blast both intensity and color all day long. So after asking a Kessil rep about what schedule he recommends he gave me the right answer which is everyone's tank is different and it depends. I decided to press him a little and he gave me the goods after asking him, "what would YOU do if it was your tank?" So here's the schedule he gave me that they use on their tanks at Kessil HQ:

Time Color Intensity
8:00 0% 15%
10:00 20% 50%
12:00 50% 100%
14:00 75% 100%
16:00 40% 50%
18:00 0% 0%

He says, "It is very difficult to make a recommendation for a specific tank, however, the color setting is primarily for aesthetics and minimally effects the spectrum. The intensity is essential for coral health, growth, and appearance. Depending on your current lighting schedule, we recommend starting at 10% intensity in the morning and working up to 100% intensity in the middle of the day for 1 hour, and then ramping back down. If your coral can take it, you can extend this peak period at 100% bit by bit."

So there you have it. Don't shoot the messenger as I know everyone's situation is different and have had varying success with different schedules. Just thought I'd share with those of you like me who were looking for some guidance. Happy reefing!!

Is this specific to the 360?

 

[LetItReef]

A360WE- Nuvo 40 which is 24 x 20 x 19 with mostly LPS and couple Softies about 10-12" above the water and doing well.
My sked is something like this:

• 13:00 0/10
• 14:00 25/45
• 15:00 30/55
• 20:00 30/55
• 21:00 25/45
• 22:00 0

 

[Esage]

A360WE- Nuvo 40 which is 24 x 20 x 19 with mostly LPS and couple Softies about 10-12" above the water and doing well.
My sked is something like this:

• 13:00 0/10
• 14:00 25/45
• 15:00 30/55
• 20:00 30/55
• 21:00 25/45
• 22:00 0

Are you using the Innovative marine screen cover? The reason I ask is, I was running my A360 at a max intensity of 55 over a IM Fusion 50 Lagoon. My rock work was in a 24x18 area, the tank is only 16" high. I am using a IM screen cover and I could not get LPS and softies to grow until I raised the intensity to 75% with the light 8" over the water. I'm now able to grow coral.

 

[Brien]

Program 1 (9-hours)

12pm 20% color / 10% intensity
1pm 40% color / 40% intensity
3pm 40% color / 70% intensity
5pm 40% color / 70% intensity
8pm 10% color / 70% intensity
9pm 0% color / 0% intensity

 

[LetItReef]

Are you using the Innovative marine screen cover? The reason I ask is, I was running my A360 at a max intensity of 55 over a IM Fusion 50 Lagoon. My rock work was in a 24x18 area, the tank is only 16" high. I am using a IM screen cover and I could not get LPS and softies to grow until I raised the intensity to 75% with the light 8" over the water. I'm now able to grow coral.

I used to have the IM cover for months and I removed bec I think is somewhat blocking light/ the plastic trim w/c is thick is just absorbing the light.
It does makes a difference w/o the lid. If I ever decided to go back having a lid, I will just make a dyi with thinner trims.

 

[ddwcmp555]

I know it's an old thread, but it shows up on google search for kessil light schedule.

I have an IM fusion 20 peninsula. I have 2 A80's. It will be a mixed reef. Light is 8 inches above water. Depth of water to sandbed is 10 inches.

A lot of these suggestions don't involve A80's. So I'm wondering if someone with more experience with the A80 could help me with a schedule suggestion.

 

[Esage]

I know it's an old thread, but it shows up on google search for kessil light schedule.

I have an IM fusion 20 peninsula. I have 2 A80's. It will be a mixed reef. Light is 8 inches above water. Depth of water to sandbed is 10 inches.

A lot of these suggestions don't involve A80's. So I'm wondering if someone with more experience with the A80 could help me with a schedule suggestion.

Curious how you have the lights mounted over the tank

 

[ddwcmp555]

Curious how you have the lights mounted over the tank

Not pretty. I dont have the goosenecks mounted to the sump area. I have them mounted in the middle. I haven't decided if I want to put a vinyl black cover on the back (most likely will). The tank is against the wall by the way. I know it defeats the purpose of a peninsula, which is supposed to be viewed from both sides. But I really liked the size of the tank.

 

[mdcmonster]

I know it's an old thread, but it shows up on google search for kessil light schedule.

I have an IM fusion 20 peninsula. I have 2 A80's. It will be a mixed reef. Light is 8 inches above water. Depth of water to sandbed is 10 inches.

A lot of these suggestions don't involve A80's. So I'm wondering if someone with more experience with the A80 could help me with a schedule suggestion.

I have 2 a80s over my 20.

-8:00 0% color 10% intense
-9:30 25% color 25% intense
-10:30 40% color 100% intense
-16:00 40% color 100% intense
-17:30 25% color 25% intense
-20:00 0% color 10% intense

Growing zoas, acans, plate corals, xenia, favia, birdsnest, monti... all with growth

 

[mdcmonster]

I have 2 a80s over my 20.

-8:00 0% color 10% intense
-9:30 25% color 25% intense
-10:30 40% color 100% intense
-16:00 40% color 100% intense
-17:30 25% color 25% intense
-20:00 0% color 10% intense

Growing zoas, acans, plate corals, xenia, favia, birdsnest, monti... all with growth

Oh and my bubble tip nem has gone from ~5” to ~8” in 2 months. These lights are certainly not the brightest and I plan to go to a 360we or add something to them but they are doing fine right now.