Kessil Ap9x - height on IM 60gal 36"L shallow reef

[Mbritt]

Im trying to determine the best height for my Ap9x on a 36" shallow reef 36L x24W x16 Deep. Just softs and eventually a clam. I currently have the light mounted in the center at 12" high but i feel like the edges dont get the light they need. Also with the light at 30% intensity this seems to be the only place mushrooms like in the tank. I have watched BRS videos and a ton of YouTube but no definitive answer. I would have assumed that Kessil would have general specs here for height of light based on desired spread but i have not found these (@Kessil, thoughts). Any help here would be appreciated both with height and thoughts on intensity. Remember tank is only 16" deep. Main concern at the moment is the light spread since i can tweak the intensity.

 

[AJsReef]

I haven't had a Kessil AP9X personally, so can't give direct advice. Would suggest trying to borrow/rent a PAR meter for the best answer though!

 

[Kessil]

Hello -

For a tank of that size we suggest mounting the light anywhere from 8" to 14" above the water. As for the intensity it is ultimately dependent on what your corals are used to. If you would like to raise your intensity we suggest raising it by 5% every 1-2 weeks until you have met the intensity of which you desire. If your coral react poorly to the intensity change try increasing it by 5% every 2-3 weeks.

Best regards,
Kessil Support

 

[Reefer_NYC]

i have mine about 10" above the water with a 36" footprint. im hitting at about 55% intensity at peak and light spread is good

 

[saltienewb]

i have mine about 10" above the water with a 36" footprint. im hitting at about 55% intensity at peak and light spread is good

Do you used the markings on the arm or do you just measure?

 

[DreamCatcher]

Hello -

For a tank of that size we suggest mounting the light anywhere from 8" to 14" above the water. As for the intensity it is ultimately dependent on what your corals are used to. If you would like to raise your intensity we suggest raising it by 5% every 1-2 weeks until you have met the intensity of which you desire. If your coral react poorly to the intensity change try increasing it by 5% every 2-3 weeks.

Best regards,
Kessil Support

Hi,

I have cade S2 reef 1200 and two APEX AP9X, what is the recommended mounting hight?

 

[twentyleagues]

Hi,

I have cade S2 reef 1200 and two APEX AP9X, what is the recommended mounting hight?

Older thread. Would be better to post a new thread. But I have experience with the ap9x in the lfs I worked at. We had 2 ap9x over a standard 120g 4x2x2 which isnt far off of your cade. (had to look up specs on the cade) Would also be better to list actual dimensions and gallons in the future. Some people dont know what this model of a certain tank manufacturer is in actual size, brand of the tank doesnt matter to most for this type of question. Someone like me may have an answer for you but may not want to bother looking up the info to answer you.
Anyway, we had them at 10" height, seemed to fill front to back well centered over the tank. Tank was a mix of corals but high in sps. Think we had 300-400 par at the rocks 12" below water surface. Run at 70% intensity.