Upgrading AI Prime HD to Kessil a360x

[RyanO89]

Hello all,

My little 18" cube turns a year this month and I decided to treat myself to a lighting upgrade as I have began venturing into the SPS world over the last few months. As I am new to SPS I mostly have more hardy sps and don't have any acros unless you count my green slimer and green anacropora, both of which have been doing great sitting at the highest point under my light. I currently run the AB+ BRS setting at max intensity and get ~180par in the upper area, ~120par in the middle, and ~80 par in the lower 3rd and sandbed. I love my little AI but I would like to have more freedom in where I place my sps. I am looking for any information or suggestions as to what intensity and acclimation I should start on with the Kessil a360x so I don't fry my corals! Thanks all!

 

[jda]

Do you have access to a light meter? PAR or even a LUX meter? It will really be the only way to tell. Kessil are not output monsters, so if you have to guess, start low and then slowly raise it.

I might suggest that you keep the Prime around for a while. You might love the Kessil and think that it is an upgrade, but you also might not. I am not a fan of SPS under Kessils without T5s to help them - to each their own, but keeping the Prime for a while is a safe move.

 

[RyanO89]

Do you have access to a light meter? PAR or even a LUX meter? It will really be the only way to tell. Kessil are not output monsters, so if you have to guess, start low and then slowly raise it.

I might suggest that you keep the Prime around for a while. You might love the Kessil and think that it is an upgrade, but you also might not. I am not a fan of SPS under Kessils without T5s to help them - to each their own, but keeping the Prime for a while is a safe move.

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely plan on keeping the AI prime as it is a great little light! I can rent a par meter from my LFS which I am planning to do as well!

 

[Neko]

Hi RyanO89, How did you end up with? I'm in now same situation.

 

[minus9]

Just rent or borrow a par meter and match your current settings (intensity) with the Kessil, then increase the intensity by 5% about every week or two. Just go slow and observe your corals, they'll tell you if you've gone too far too fast. Use the violet in the Kessil, but increase it slowly over a month or so.

My Kessil powered reef.

 

[enlighten]

I dont gave access to a par meter so have been looking for this answer. Looking for numbers in par output at the same wattage to match settings when I swap lights.