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FIRST LOOK: Kessil AP700 Magnetic Diffusion Optical Lenses


Marine Depot

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I went a LFS recently and they are running a AP700 over their LPS tank. When I told them I am also running an AP700, they said "Hope you are not going SPS because even Kessil told us not to use this over a SPS tank."

 

What are your opinions on running a predominantly SPS tank with AP700? Will the diffuser help with spread and reducing shadows?

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jedimasterben

What are your opinions on running a predominantly SPS tank with AP700? Will the diffuser help with spread and reducing shadows?

No, the physics simply isn't there. There are only two points of light entering the tank, and this can't fix that problem.

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Cencalfishguy56

I went a LFS recently and they are running a AP700 over their LPS tank. When I told them I am also running an AP700, they said "Hope you are not going SPS because even Kessil told us not to use this over a SPS tank."

 

What are your opinions on running a predominantly SPS tank with AP700? Will the diffuser help with spread and reducing shadows?

thats funny because I've seen a dominant tank of sps lit will all kessil a360's

 

One example

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HarryPotter

thats funny because I've seen a dominant tank of sps lit will all kessil a360's

How many? Its not about the quality of the light, just the shadows and problems that single point lighting has. You need many fixtures to get adequate spread for acros in a larger tank

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No, the physics simply isn't there. There are only two points of light entering the tank, and this can't fix that problem.

 

Ben, what do you think of the spectrum of these lights? They seem to have added more color. Is it any better than the 360's?

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Cencalfishguy56

How many? Its not about the quality of the light, just the shadows and problems that single point lighting has. You need many fixtures to get adequate spread for acros in a larger tank

yea I tend to forget this, just re-read what Ben said lol
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Marine Depot

I went a LFS recently and they are running a AP700 over their LPS tank. When I told them I am also running an AP700, they said "Hope you are not going SPS because even Kessil told us not to use this over a SPS tank."

 

What are your opinions on running a predominantly SPS tank with AP700? Will the diffuser help with spread and reducing shadows?

The AP700 was tested quite extensively with SPS corals at Neptune Aquatics before it was released. You can see a video here:

 

 

In regards to shadowing, a point source light will always have more shadows. However, the lens on the LED, the reflector around the lens as well as the optional diffuser do help to redirect and scatter the light to help reduce shadowing as much as possible.

 

If you have any questions, please let us know.

 

Update - 5/13/16 @ 2:22 pm PST

 

Response from Kessil when asked if there was any truth to what your LFS told you:

 

"Nope. Not unless the tank was too big for our recommendation or it's a shop with an old school reef mentality that hasn't been won over yet.
Most are very hesitant to use over SPS—but once they do, it's a different story."
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HarryPotter

The AP700 was tested quite extensively with SPS corals at Neptune Aquatics before it was released. You can see a video here:

 

https://youtu.be/YV6M85h9QHE

 

In regards to shadowing, a point source light will always have more shadows. However, the lens on the LED, the reflector around the lens as well as the optional diffuser do help to redirect and scatter the light to help reduce shadowing as much as possible.

 

If you have any questions, please let us know.

 

 

That is mounted SUPER high though, like 3 feet?

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Marine Depot

That is mounted SUPER high though, like 3 feet?

 

Hard to say for sure without asking Jimmy himself, but we would have guessed two. :)

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The AP700 was tested quite extensively with SPS corals at Neptune Aquatics before it was released. You can see a video here:

 

 

In regards to shadowing, a point source light will always have more shadows. However, the lens on the LED, the reflector around the lens as well as the optional diffuser do help to redirect and scatter the light to help reduce shadowing as much as possible.

 

If you have any questions, please let us know.

 

Update - 5/13/16 @ 2:22 pm PST

 

Response from Kessil when asked if there was any truth to what your LFS told you:

 

"Nope. Not unless the tank was too big for our recommendation or it's a shop with an old school reef mentality that hasn't been won over yet.
Most are very hesitant to use over SPS—but once they do, it's a different story."

 

thanks for reaching out to Kessil! I will probably get the major diffuser from you guys soon. Not that I run a SPS tank, but the diffuser will allow me to lower my lights more without sacrificing coverage.

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jedimasterben

thanks for reaching out to Kessil! I will probably get the major diffuser from you guys soon. Not that I run a SPS tank, but the diffuser will allow me to lower my lights more without sacrificing coverage.

It probably won't help much, unfortunately. The diffuser is physically too close to the LEDs. I've done some extensive testing on diffusers and distance from the LEDs, and being right up on them had little effect, even with a very thick diffuser.
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It probably won't help much, unfortunately. The diffuser is physically too close to the LEDs. I've done some extensive testing on diffusers and distance from the LEDs, and being right up on them had little effect, even with a very thick diffuser.

Party pooper =P

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Cencalfishguy56

They don't call me buzzkill Ben for nothin. Buzz buzz! :D

how come you haven't started your own aquarium lighting business??
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Cencalfishguy56

Little interest in that sort of thing lol

lol typical, guy who's a genius in one area but yet has no interest in it so the world never gets to experience what "could be" haha
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I know of 2 tanks that use ap700's. One is an sps zeovit 150g and the other is a mixed reef 180. Each uses 2 ap700's. The growth and color is amazing. But they are newer tanks. Only time will tell whether the claims are true. Now if kessil came out with a t5 hybrid I WOULD BE ALL OVER THAT!

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I know of 2 tanks that use ap700's. One is an sps zeovit 150g and the other is a mixed reef 180. Each uses 2 ap700's. The growth and color is amazing. But they are newer tanks. Only time will tell whether the claims are true. Now if kessil came out with a t5 hybrid I WOULD BE ALL OVER THAT!

 

Would you say the color rendition on the fixture is good? I heard they still used cool whites. Not sure how reds would look under Kessils. Especially acans.

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Hard to say for sure without asking Jimmy himself, but we would have guessed two. :)

I can measure the height if you want. I just started working at Neptunes. Jimmy unfortunately had to leave Neptunes, but I can ask the owner more questions if you guys would like. I can also get some new pics of that tank. It's gorgeous. haha I'm a freshwater guy, but looking to start a saltwater tank soon.

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Would you say the color rendition on the fixture is good? I heard they still used cool whites. Not sure how reds would look under Kessils. Especially acans.

I personally prefer the look of red corals under kessils rather than an led fixture like a radion. In fact that's why I got rid of my radion. The kessil may appear dim but the coral literally glows. Imo a kessil is as good as leds can look.

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Neptune Aquatics

 

The AP700 was tested quite extensively with SPS corals at Neptune Aquatics before it was released. You can see a video here:

 

 

In regards to shadowing, a point source light will always have more shadows. However, the lens on the LED, the reflector around the lens as well as the optional diffuser do help to redirect and scatter the light to help reduce shadowing as much as possible.

 

If you have any questions, please let us know.

 

Update - 5/13/16 @ 2:22 pm PST

 

Response from Kessil when asked if there was any truth to what your LFS told you:

 

 

"Nope. Not unless the tank was too big for our recommendation or it's a shop with an old school reef mentality that hasn't been won over yet.

Most are very hesitant to use over SPSbut once they do, it's a different story."

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