Kessil a160we good enough for sps and anemones on NC 28G?

[reefernanoman]

I have been eyeing a kessil a160we for a while now and currently all my corals and two anemones are doing great under my 20 LED retro kit from Rapid LED. I know that the spread is supposed to be 24 inches, but I was wondering if it would be enough for my BTA'S and SPS(montis). I want to take off the rim and go top less. Thanks!

I must add that I my current intensity on my LED 'S is at less than 50%.

[supernip]

yeah probably

the BTA is smart enough to move on its own and the montis you could have grown under power compacts. The kiss is likely overkill if those are your two highest light requiring pets

[reefernanoman]

yeah probably

the BTA is smart enough to move on its own and the montis you could have grown under power compacts. The kiss is likely overkill if those are your two highest light requiring pets

I would think that it's enough too, since my NC 28G only measures 18X22X22. I have seen this light in bigger tanks and the spread looks even. I love the shimmer. Thanks.

[supernip]

theres a couple of used ones on reef central from long time members, I would look there. 215 w/ gooseneck or something like that.

[reefernanoman]

theres a couple of used ones on reef central from long time members, I would look there. 215 w/ gooseneck or something like that.

I know. There's one right here too! I'm just curious why so many people are getting rid of theirs.

[Horerczy]

Probably for primes or similar. Lot of people can't keep a light over their tank for long cause something new comes out.

[reefernanoman]

Probably for primes or similar. Lot of people can't keep a light over their tank for long cause something new comes out.

Good point. And absolutely true.

[zooman72]

I tried running a Kessil A150W over my JBJ 28g for a magnificent anemone (need intense light), and it wasn't enough (wandered around searching for more light), so I ended up using a Kessil A350N and the nem stayed put. The A150/160W might be enough for BTA's (they are slightly less demanding) and monti caps if they are higher up, depending on your rock layout.

[reefernanoman]

I tried running a Kessil A150W over my JBJ 28g for a magnificent anemone (need intense light), and it wasn't enough (wandered around searching for more light), so I ended up using a Kessil A350N and the nem stayed put. The A150/160W might be enough for BTA's (they are slightly less demanding) and monti caps if they are higher up, depending on your rock layout.

Thanks for the input. I finally derimmed my NC 28G today and also ordered the Kessil a160we! Wish me luck!

[reefernanoman]

After only three days, I'm very impressed with the A160we! My Rainbow Acans finally are starting to look like a true rainbow! I could never get the colors to pop on my corals with the rapid led retro LED kit because I didn't have all the colors that Kessil packs into such a little light.

[Hexadron]

Awesome! What are your light settings at the moment?

[reefernanoman]

Awesome! What are your light settings at the moment?

I really like the blue look so color is at 30% and I want to take it easy with the intensity at 50%, since the light is less than a foot from the surface with the 90 degree adapter. I have Acans and LPS that are half way up the rockwork, so I'll see in a week if I can increase the intensity. I love the shimmer! Before, I was preventing surface agitation, now I look for it.

[Exodus]

I tried running a Kessil A150W over my JBJ 28g for a magnificent anemone (need intense light), and it wasn't enough (wandered around searching for more light), so I ended up using a Kessil A350N and the nem stayed put. The A150/160W might be enough for BTA's (they are slightly less demanding) and monti caps if they are higher up, depending on your rock layout.

The kessil 150/160 isn't enough for a 28 and the light in general should be considered more of a spot lite to showcase particular corals, the A350 would be the better choice as zooman stated.

[reefernanoman]

The kessil 150/160 isn't enough for a 28 and the light in general should be considered more of a spot lite to showcase particular corals, the A350 would be the better choice as zooman stated.

Well there are absolutely no dark spots in my tank that I can see,and all my corals seem to be responding positively (including my BTA'S). I'll report back in a couple of months if there's any issues, but I think it will be OK. It's one heck of a spotlight if you asked me.

Everyone that has had one of these lights(A160we) has told me that their corals grow just fine after months of use. The A160we is 15% stronger than the 150 too.

[drexel]

I have a 160 over a 22g (23x12x14, I only measure the volume of water in the tank that's being illuminated) and I have no problem growing sps. Color is 60% and power/intensity is 85%. You can see the growth daily on some of the frags. You do get some shadowing, but it's never been an issue with me. You'll enjoy this light a lot and the shimmer is awesome!

[brad65ford]

any 160w user reviews after a while with growth? Been running one for 6 months on a 10g fusion mostly softies and anemones, zoa's and plate corals. Amazingly running it at 85 percent for 6 1/2 hours and 2 extra hours of ramp up and down. I've tried different heights and intensities though for some reason this is what the corals respond to best. Growth is slow, plan try this light on my red sea nano but higher intensity.

[brandon429]

I'll vote yes I'm six mos on 160w on a gallon vase it's perfect growth. Mines simple on off 85% 9 hrs mostly blue setting (just have knobs no autos)

[Hard Softy]

Probably for primes or similar. Lot of people can't keep a light over their tank for long cause something new comes out.

So true in this hobby and others .... shinny new toys

[drexel]

I have great growth with these lights. I've added a second 160 to minimize shading and just recently added two T5 bulbs to supplement the kessil's. I could've added another 160, but opted for a cheaper solution in the mean time. (I'm in the process of building a 45g shallow tank and will move the kessil's to that tank.) On my new build I will end up with 4 160's and 4 T5 bulbs.

Here are a couple pix without and with T5 lights on. Both pictures taken with iPhone and no post processing.

Here's without T5:

Here's with T5:

[reefernanoman]

any 160w user reviews after a while with growth? Been running one for 6 months on a 10g fusion mostly softies and anemones, zoa's and plate corals. Amazingly running it at 85 percent for 6 1/2 hours and 2 extra hours of ramp up and down. I've tried different heights and intensities though for some reason this is what the corals respond to best. Growth is slow, plan try this light on my red sea nano but higher intensity.

 

I have been using my A160we for about 6+ months on my Fusion 10G with very good results. Also, ever since I started dosing KM Nanoreef Part A & B, coral growth has been faster. My Rainbow Acan has looked much better under Kessil from day one, and it looks even better now. Also, my A160we has worked very well for my Nanocube 28G after a little more than a year. I did add some T5's as supplemental lighting on my NC 28G after a few months of using my Kessil, but I only use the T5's for 3hrs a day.

 

Nanocube 28G before adding Kessil:

 

Nanocube 28G after a little more than a year using Kessil A160we:

[Deleted User 9]

 

 

Peace All,

 

I know this is about the Kessil light and the 28g question.

My experience is yes, it should be more than enough for most Corals,

in that 28 gal.

 

If I can run a Vase Reef for almost 4 years with all types of Corals,

an air stone, a low cost 12 W Par 38 LED bulb, no dosing, and just weekly water changes

with Instant Ocean regular and R.O. water, I see no reason why Kessil lights on a 28 wouldn't grow Corals,

unless the parameters are off, or Corals aren't acclimated properly to the light, especially if the Corals came

from another type of light source with spikes and differences in Spectrum and Intensity.

 

 

There are many 28 gal. mixed Reefs in this hobby that are beautifully thriving with the Kessil a160.

Go for it!!!

 

Much Success and Happiness.

 

Blessings All.