30 gallon - Kessil A80s and Quanta Meso Blue

[puddleglum]

Hi all,

I am gonna dust off a 30 gallon (36x12x16) I have in my garage this weekend, and get some dry rock in there to start curing in salt water, doing water changes until the phosphorus levels are low enough to start cycling. This is going to be a small softy tank: zoas, ricordeas, mushrooms, polyps, etc. Maybe some hardier LPS down the line.

I love the Kessil shimmer, and have an idea for lighting that I would like to hear your feedback on:
(2x) Kessil A80 Tuna Blue
(1x) Quanta Meso Blue

I think the Kessils can fill two areas 14-16" long in the tank that will have plenty of light, and the Quanta will "fill in the edges" of the Kessil lit areas, offer a little extra color, and moderately more PAR through the tank. I drew up a sketch of how I think coverage would look with two different options. Obviously making some assumptions, but it gives the general idea:

Curious on thoughts about how color and PAR would be with these options.

Thank you,
-pg

 

[twentyleagues]

Kessil a80 18x18" soft 12x12" mixed. Go with 3 a80 all kessil looks and shimmer! Those quanta bars are probably same price or close to another a80 right?

 

[Vinaka_vakalevu]

search the market place and look for 360's. Im sure you can find some cheap and you'll appreciate the extra wattage

 

[puddleglum]

Kessil a80 18x18" soft 12x12" mixed. Go with 3 a80 all kessil looks and shimmer! Those quanta bars are probably same price or close to another a80 right?

The Quanta bar is $85-$105, it is moderate wattage, but a wide mix of blues. I also like the idea of keeping the spreads of the Kessils somewhat separate so the shimmers don't overlap much and contribute to more of a disco ball effect.

 

[bobnicaragua]

The Quanta bar is $85-$105, it is moderate wattage, but a wide mix of blues. I also like the idea of keeping the spreads of the Kessils somewhat separate so the shimmers don't overlap much and contribute to more of a disco ball effect.

You won’t get disco effect from Kessil, just shimmer. I had 4 a80 and 4 t5 on a 3 foot tank.

 

[puddleglum]

search the market place and look for 360's. Im sure you can find some cheap and you'll appreciate the extra wattage

Super nice lights, for sure, but I won't move into any high light corals on this tank, so chasing the higher wattage wouldn't have much point.