Kessil and supplement lighting

[m.kristoff]

I am looking at a few options for lighting
Asking opinions and/or experience from anyone that are running the combos I am considering

tank is 40x24x22 (90 gallons) I will have up to 18" above the tank to mount lights
Goal is to build a SPS dominate tanks with a few LPS low

I already have 2 Kessil 360xe's. Currently running 1 over a 75-gallon rubber maid sump to cure live rock I just got from KP aquatics. It has some good life on it so I have it running a short blue photo period on it. I really like the light!

Option 1: 2x Orphek 36" Or3. 1 blue sky and 1 blue plus. Ramp up and down with the Kessils and put the bars on a timer
Option 2: 1 Neptune Sky in the middle with the 2 kessils flanking it
Option 3: 2 36" reefbrite strips. I would run them the same as option 1
Option 4: 2 AI blades.

For Option 2, I would make the Sky the primary and use the Kessel's as a point source.

I have no Experience with AI blades but interested to hear any experiences with them

open to other suggestions

thanks

 

[Reefer Matt]

I have four a360x lights and use the 48” Reefbrite hybrid fixture with a single xho light on each side. I like it for filling in some of the shaded areas. BRS stopped selling it, but it may be available elsewhere.

 

[m.kristoff]

I have four a360x lights and use the 48” Reefbrite hybrid fixture with a single xho light on each side. I like it for filling in some of the shaded areas. BRS stopped selling it, but it may be available elsewhere.

looks like you are getting great growth! BRS stopped selling a lot of stuff!!

 

[Reefer Matt]

looks like you are getting great growth! BRS stopped selling a lot of stuff!!

Thanks! Yeah that tank is 5 1/2 years old. I did a google search of “reefbrite xho hybrid 36" “ and there are a few places with it in stock if you decide to go that route.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I am looking at a few options for lighting
Asking opinions and/or experience from anyone that are running the combos I am considering

tank is 40x24x22 (90 gallons) I will have up to 18" above the tank to mount lights
Goal is to build a SPS dominate tanks with a few LPS low

I already have 2 Kessil 360xe's. Currently running 1 over a 75-gallon rubber maid sump to cure live rock I just got from KP aquatics. It has some good life on it so I have it running a short blue photo period on it. I really like the light!

Option 1: 2x Orphek 36" Or3. 1 blue sky and 1 blue plus. Ramp up and down with the Kessils and put the bars on a timer
Option 2: 1 Neptune Sky in the middle with the 2 kessils flanking it
Option 3: 2 36" reefbrite strips. I would run them the same as option 1
Option 4: 2 AI blades.

For Option 2, I would make the Sky the primary and use the Kessel's as a point source.

I have no Experience with AI blades but interested to hear any experiences with them

open to other suggestions

thanks

The orphek bars are great I hear. Very light and easy to mount as well. You can probably rig them with something to hold them in place.

 

[m.kristoff]

The orphek bars are great I hear. Very light and easy to mount as well. You can probably rig them with something to hold them in place.

I had a couple on my last tank connected to an Osix. they are nice. Not sure how to explain it, but they seem to cast "strips" of blue across the scape. The Kessils might be strong enough to spread it a little more evenly

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

I am looking at a few options for lighting
Asking opinions and/or experience from anyone that are running the combos I am considering

tank is 40x24x22 (90 gallons) I will have up to 18" above the tank to mount lights
Goal is to build a SPS dominate tanks with a few LPS low

I already have 2 Kessil 360xe's. Currently running 1 over a 75-gallon rubber maid sump to cure live rock I just got from KP aquatics. It has some good life on it so I have it running a short blue photo period on it. I really like the light!

Option 1: 2x Orphek 36" Or3. 1 blue sky and 1 blue plus. Ramp up and down with the Kessils and put the bars on a timer
Option 2: 1 Neptune Sky in the middle with the 2 kessils flanking it
Option 3: 2 36" reefbrite strips. I would run them the same as option 1
Option 4: 2 AI blades.

For Option 2, I would make the Sky the primary and use the Kessel's as a point source.

I have no Experience with AI blades but interested to hear any experiences with them

open to other suggestions

thanks

Would 2 KESSIL 160we work on either side of 360?

 

[m.kristoff]

Would 2 KESSIL 160we work on either side of 360?

probably, but I dont think they can be controlled by the 360. I dont think the we has a one link cable

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

probably, but I dont think they can be controlled by the 360. I dont think the we has a one link cable

Yeah I'm just running mine off separate controllers so not sure

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I just wanted to say that the XHO Hybrids are still at MarineandReef.com

Reef Brite Hybrid & Add On Kits

Reef Brite Hybrid & Add On Kits

www.marineandreef.com

 

[m.kristoff]

I just wanted to say that the XHO Hybrids are still at MarineandReef.com

Reef Brite Hybrid & Add On Kits

Reef Brite Hybrid & Add On Kits

www.marineandreef.com

I'm surprised on the cost!

 

[bobnicaragua]

The bar option makes the most sense to me with the kessils you already have.

Orphek are designed to be mounted 16-18” above the tank. So they cast a more narrow beam, as mentioned above. I like the Orpheks, but the mounting height needed for proper spread is well above the Kessil mounting height.

Reef Bright has a wider spread and can be mounted lower.

I hear good things about Quanta, but have no experience with them.

I have Orphek OR3 bars, T5, and Reefbrite xho above my SPS tank. If I had to choose only one for growing corals, it would be T5.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I'm surprised on the cost!

Yep, ReefBrite is pricey but very nice. I really like the spread and evenness that comes from the mirrored reflectors. I would also consider a CoralCover as another Hybrid option.

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[minus9]

For bars I would use Quanta bars, the updated version (Helix) should be out soon and have 0-10v control. Non bar option would be Reefi Uno's, as they can be mounted high with multiple lens options included and they're cheaper than most options compared to similar powered lights. I love my Quanta Pro bars (meso blue) and they don't need to mounted at a certain height to blend the spectrum like Orpheks, in fact, I directly compared the Quanta's to OR2's and XHO's, and the Quanta's outperformed both combined.

 

[m.kristoff]

The bar option makes the most sense to me with the kessils you already have.

Orphek are designed to be mounted 16-18” above the tank. So they cast a more narrow beam, as mentioned above. I like the Orpheks, but the mounting height needed for proper spread is well above the Kessil mounting height.

Reef Bright has a wider spread and can be mounted lower.

I hear good things about Quanta, but have no experience with them.

I have Orphek OR3 bars, T5, and Reefbrite xho above my SPS tank. If I had to choose only one for growing corals, it would be T5.

I totally agree that the OR3 bars exceed the Kessil limits. I could get the narrow reflectors for the 360 but would need a 3rd for spread.

T-5's are tried and true for sure! Based on the sticker shock I just got for Reef Brite. I should really consider going the t-5 route

 

[m.kristoff]

For bars I would use Quanta bars, the updated version (Helix) should be out soon and have 0-10v control. Non bar option would be Reefi Uno's, as they can be mounted high with multiple lens options included and they're cheaper than most options compared to similar powered lights. I love my Quanta Pro bars (meso blue) and they don't need to mounted at a certain height to blend the spectrum like Orpheks, in fact, I directly compared the Quanta's to OR2's and XHO's, and the Quanta's outperformed both combined.

0-10v is interesting can they be ramped up like pumps connected 0-10 do?

 

[minus9]

0-10v is interesting can they be ramped up like pumps connected 0-10 do?

Yes, the 0-10v is for dimming. You can find out more on Luca's IG @quanta_lights

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

The bar option makes the most sense to me with the kessils you already have.

Orphek are designed to be mounted 16-18” above the tank. So they cast a more narrow beam, as mentioned above. I like the Orpheks, but the mounting height needed for proper spread is well above the Kessil mounting height.

Reef Bright has a wider spread and can be mounted lower.

I hear good things about Quanta, but have no experience with them.

I have Orphek OR3 bars, T5, and Reefbrite xho above my SPS tank. If I had to choose only one for growing corals, it would be T5.

good info to know- yes t5 is so good

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

speaking of t5, the aquatic life comes with 4 bulbs and 2 plugs. Anyone know if you can use one plug for 2 bulbs only if you wish?

 

[bobnicaragua]

For bars I would use Quanta bars, the updated version (Helix) should be out soon and have 0-10v control. Non bar option would be Reefi Uno's, as they can be mounted high with multiple lens options included and they're cheaper than most options compared to similar powered lights. I love my Quanta Pro bars (meso blue) and they don't need to mounted at a certain height to blend the spectrum like Orpheks, in fact, I directly compared the Quanta's to OR2's and XHO's, and the Quanta's outperformed both combined.

What do you mean the Quanta Pros outperformed both combined? Are you talking par?