Switching to Kessil - 3 Month Review of the A360X

[@Cycnoches2012]

your reviews are deep and very useful!

[@ReefDork]

Love Kessils. The most underrated light in the hobby 🙂

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

Underrated? Maybe because they are so expensive lol

[@markweston216]

@@marcelrodriguez2067 you get what you pay for, you wouldn't get a new Aston Martin by paying ford fiesta money

[@zulu09]

Mostly because they break before anybody can review them

[@80660018]

Very nice review.

[@ricostrings72]

Do the corals grow under these lights??

[@curiousreefer5131]

Thanks Marcus. Good informative video on Kessils I always see/hear good things about them but I've never seen a tank lit with only them. I see a lot of experienced reef keeps opting for the kessils. I'm due a light upgrade, there's so many option though nowadays. I think its between the new gen 5 radions and kessils though.....

[@Harolddespui]

Easy choice. If you love intense shimmer, go for Kessil. If you want a very subtle soft shimmer go for the Eco. If you want something inbetween shimmerwise then there is something like the Red Sea reefled 90.

[@myakoob5711]

Do you have a sump or AIO filter?

[@enhncr]

I had 3 previous kessils (non x?).... The were just amazing!!! The best light ever :)

[@cbr900rr]

Can you post lights schedule

[@ReefNerd]

Hey, I posted my light schedule on this thread on Reef2Reef, I also programmed the UV channel to follow a similar arc www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/

[@ReefNerd]

www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/post-6411771

[@jonandlisa2000]

Great review

[@primereef2451]

what is your schedule ? V channel ?

[@gino.from.chicago]

I have a female Clownfish that splashes everytime my AI Prime HD lights turn off. I’m looking for new lights currently and the moment you mentioned how running the lunar mode it’s said to help fish not to jump at night, it sold me! Where did you hear that? How dim is the lunar mode? Is it barely noticeable? Thanks a lot!

[@ReefNerd]

I think the first place I heard it mentioned was on a BRSTV episode from ages ago. However I have heard the sentiment repeated in the marketing material of every light that offers a lunar mode. Anecdotally... it seems to be working, I have not had a fish jump. I keep, clowns, anthias, tangs, wrasse and mandarins. In terms of the brightness of the lunar mode, it is configurable so you can make it extremely dim if you find the default program for lunar to be too bright.

[@Reefkpr1]

Stumbled on your channel. New sub. I have the Kessil Ap700 on my 58 gallon and Radions on my big tank. Kessil shimmer is 2nd to none but I must say my Radions seem to grow coral better. 360X is a great looking light. Very nice review.

[@curiousreefer5131]

I'm torn between kessils and Radions. I've noticed a lot of people in the "reef trade" opt for kessils for thier personal tanks but it seems nearly all the coral farmers use the radions.

[@Reefkpr1]

@@curiousreefer5131 I'd go with the Radions if you are doing a SPS dominant tank. I've seen much better growth under my Radions vs my Kessil AP700. If you are doing LPS and softies the Kessil shimmer and look is hard to beat.

[@johnnymartinez6123]

Does the Kessil 360x have a pre set up from manufacturer? In others words, a set program from Kessil? Thank you, love your Aquarium.

[@awalliskandar3289]

Hi Marcus … May I know what is the setting you set for the kessil? Are you using T5 with the kessil?

[@ronaldjeremy]

Can you post the lighting schedule you have in your Spectral Controller X?

[@ReefNerd]

Hey, I posted my light schedule on this thread on Reef2Reef, I also programmed the UV channel to follow a similar arc www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/

[@ReefNerd]

www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/post-6411771

[@rickmiranda8183]

I switched to Kessil A360x and I am implementing your schedule. You have a setting of UV but I don't see it on my Wifi Dongle setting. Choices I have are Color, Intensity, Violet, Red and Green. I used your UV setting on the Violet. How do I access the UV settings or that is the violet? Thank you for sharing your schedule. Very nice video review.

[@TheWarOrphan]

Lower the exposer or brightness in your vid. You can also use filter caps with your camera to dim the brightness areas when filming.

[@irishlad7458]

Am I seeing a t5 fixture aswel

[@Badboii21]

Whats your schedule?

[@ReefNerd]

I have it posted here www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/post-6411771

[@hmahliaustraliamarinelifes7606]

Great review.... that shimmer is OMG...

[@lonet0618]

Hi, I'm also using the kessil a360x, but I'm having a hard time finding that perfect setting and intensity for my light schedule. If you don't mind, what is the lighting schedule amd the intensity that you use. A blueprint would really help me out a lot. Thanks!

[@ReefNerd]

No problem. Here is my full lighting schedule charted out www.reef2reef.com/threads/switching-to-kessil-3-month-review-of-the-a360x.625767/#post-6411771

[@JackiePrime]

Amazing video

[@mca_reef]

Hi Marcus , I'm planning to buy ecotech xr30 g5 , friend of mine suggest me to look at kessil ap700 . I love the shimmer effect on freshwater but i feel like shimmer effect is tiring on reef tanks. Everything is moving waving , color contrast etc you are adding shimmer effect to it. What you think about it ?

[@ReefNerd]

It’s personal preference obvious so go with what you like; both are good lights. I personally like the shimmer, it makes everything feel more alive

[@Gangstalicious411]

I'm curious, what kind of T5 light bar do you have? It looks perfect for my tank!

[@ReefNerd]

The T5 bar i have on the back of my tank in this video is the Key Lighting T5HO Tube Bar. I reviewed it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWipo52pl9Bgp7c However I no longer run it as I have upgraded to a full all in one hybrid, the Aquatic Life DX18. Which I did a view on here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4uwYq2imKiSp7s

[@Gangstalicious411]

@@ReefNerd Thanks for the reply! The one in this video looks quite a lot smaller than that, though. It's the same thing? I'm referring to the one you can see at 9:37. That's the same light? Looks like fewer bulbs. Thanks so much! **EDIT:** Nevermind! Totally looks like the same light. I think they just have two put together on the product page. Thanks, again!

[@ReefNerd]

@@Gangstalicious411 yup, the bars can be modularly added together with the central mount bracket thing to form the various configurations and formations shown on the product page on fish-street.com

[@christopherdial]

I am setting up a 24 deep 24 wide sps tank. I have the aquatic life T5 hybrid fixtures. Trying to decide which led to use for sps and Par. Do you run the narrow beam on both lights? Do you recommend the 360X for a predominantly SPS tank. Everything looks great in your tank! I’ve been back and forth on the Kessil for adequate Par in the lower part of the tank. Thanks for any help.

[@sunnygoold9449]

Awesome review mate. The old Kessil wasn't a light I wanted on my new build after reading reviews on BRS and not seeing them on eBay. But everything I'm seeing on these is much more positive. Maybe down the track I will get one as my center light on a hybrid with radions on each side. I bet it will give wide coverage and I've heard before the colors are amazing.... thinking Anyhow I will want to see the reviews after 2 years of use and see if there are any issues - maybe some 2nd hands will start popping up. As I'd have other lights I wouldn't need the spectrum controller... that is until you mentioned the UV. Man I looked up those accessories and it is just ridiculous - as the light aren't already expensive as it is. A big reason I would want them is that broad UV distribution but you need the spectrum controller to get it ;( This is what I love about the Radions - I can just plug them into my computer, program them with ramping and peaks and then unplug and leave them alone. Plus mine are Gen 3 but it works with older generations. Looking forward to going through you other videos ;)

[@curiousreefer5131]

I have radions at the moment and I'm thinking about changing things up. Be interested to hear about how this went if you decided to do this.

[@sunnygoold9449]

@@curiousreefer5131 I wouldn't change up Radions if they are working. I'd add to them. I have a Gen4 on one tank and SB Reef Lights + Alibaba bar. I would get a custom Alibaba bar (see telegraham on YT and Insta - you could PM him to get the seller on Ali) again or pay the extra for Orphek, Reefbreeders etc. If I was going to get a new light my first choice would ReeFi and second Gen5 Blue - I'd then add 2 custom bars to add missing spectrum at the back) and more pop and purple at the front - I would not get T5's

[@curiousreefer5131]

@@sunnygoold9449 I have 2 x Radion gen 3 xr30's over a red sea reefer 350 they are okay for now but I know shading is slowing down some growth, but the fan noise drives me a little crazy! I really like the Gen 5's but I'm told still not silent. Mix of Radions and OR blue bars was close to the top of my list already! So many options 🙈

[@sunnygoold9449]

@@curiousreefer5131 Check out Reefi then. I would just add bars and run the lights lower in the evening when you are home. 3 XR30's over what I think is a 4' x 50cm tank is a lot and I assume you don't run them so high. I think you would do 2 x Reefi or 3 x XR15 Blues plus a couple of Reefbars assuming a lot of SPS. It depends on how clean you need it on top but I would save money and go with the 2 Reefis and 2 bars and then if necessary add Kessil 160's in the back corners later (sounds like you have a lot of SPS). Like I wouldn't do a hood and I like a cleaner look but if I did have a hood on a 50cm high RSR I would consider putting a Kessil 160 in each corner for a lot of SPS. Sounds like you know what you need though ;) Have a look at the GHL Bars too - they have EXCELLENT spectrums

[@curiousreefer5131]

@@sunnygoold9449 Some of those are tricky to get from the UK, I've looked up the GHL as I didn't know they even did lights and they look great but they are pricey! From what you've said I'm leaning towards 3 x xr15 and support with light bars. (currently have 2 x xr30s. Not loads of SPS just want to avoid the shading and already noticing it.

[@golfmarkawat524]

Hi Marcus. I like your in-depth reviews. I am planning to put the light into my 40*24*24'inches frags tank. Would two of A360X be enouogh for my tank size? Thanks.

[@ReefNerd]

Yes it will. At least for the first year or two, if you go down the SPS route, after the colonies get large you may find shadowing an issue at which point you could add supplimentary T5's or LED strip lights on the back or front like I did

[@Botzz28]

I am building a nano tank 15g peninsula tank from water box. I’m stuck between buying the radion xr15 pro or the kessil a360x ... what do you suggest?

[@ReefNerd]

I dont have personal experience with the xr15. But I know it to be a fantastic light. As is the kessil. Major difference for a small tank like that will just be the color and shimmer. Both are easy powerful enough and won’t need to be run near maximum. If you like shimmer go the kessil.

[@Botzz28]

@@ReefNerd is the a360x still kessils most updated light ? Also have they come out with that dongle yet for control ? I like using my phone for light control

[@ReefNerd]

Yes it is in that form factor. They have come out with a dongle already. I reviewed it in another video. Search my channel you should find it.

[@dreamreefbeltran1495]

Kessels all the way more Shimmer the better and by the way beautiful tank ☮️☮️😎

[@ausreefguy5362]

Do you think one light would be sufficient for your set up ? Would 1 in your opinion be strong enough for a 2x2 sps cube

[@ReefNerd]

Certainly as a starting point, while they are frags, once they grow out into colonies shadowing will become a problem with a single point light source, at that point having two or some other supplemental light coming from another source will help

[@johns9311]

Hi. What are the dimensions of your tank? Do you get a lot of shading with that setup?

[@ReefNerd]

Its a 3 foot Neptunian Cube k90. Shading is a bit of a problem as my corals are so densely packed and especially as they grow, I now have my kessils in an Aquatic Life DX18 hyrid fixture to add front and rear t5's which help a lot with the shading.

[@johns9311]

Thank you! You're tank is beautiful!

[@tmclaughlin1989]

Hey Marcus, thanks for the review. I see on your newer videos that you're running the narrow beam reflector on both kessils. Why is that? Does it help cut down the light bleeding into the room? Or so you could mount your hybrid fixture higher?

[@ReefNerd]

Hi Trevor, I added the narrow beam reflector on one side initially as a test. I found quicker growth and the color looked nicer to my eyes, so I added it to the other side as well. I didnt really have any issue with light bleed, however it does reduce the spread so if you are having problems with light bleed the narrow beam reflector would help. I did not adjust the hight of my lights with or without the narrow beam reflector

[@vnce932]

U seem to have a kiwi accent. Are you from New Zealand? 💙

[@ReefNerd]

lol, nope im Australian, from Melbourne

[@ghost61]

What about the new radions g5

[@ReefNerd]

Yea they look pretty nice. Would be good to compare them with the A360X over the long term.

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

What intensity will you put them if you had no T5s?

[@ReefNerd]

Probably the same but I might extend the photo period by an hour or two

[@karennation3580]

Hate to sound rude but I watched this viideo and I was also inteted in the illumagic and i saw that teh other day but I am not sure why they both look so insanely bright and washed out! When you zoom in I could see some pop but the brigtness is very much overkill. Have you watched this back? Maybe in person it dosnt look this way but all your videos do!

[@ReefNerd]

I do the best with the camera gear I have... an iphone. My newer videos might be a bit better as I have some better clip on lenses now. But I still use an iPhone for all my videos.

[@karennation3580]

@@ReefNerd Oh, i see. i dont know anything about filming so I should have kept my mouth shut! I am looking into a light and just checking out all the big names. I should go with kessil so my chances of screwing it up are better...lol I did watch a brs video and they said the color pop wasnt he best because of just the blue and white spectrum though and that shimmer might bug me just cant decide if I like it or not! One thing I iwill say is you have plenty pop in this youtube, did you say this model has the red and green and UV but you run it very low?

[@scootroter4859]

A short 6 month update please? 😎🤘

[@coraladdict5059]

Kessils are very good!

[@maureenposhweddingflowers5429]

At 10:34 - WAIT!!! Please - you CAN’T show us a shot of a yellow fish with adorable little FEET and tell us nothing about it!?! I’ve searched all over - what is it?

[@lunes-1]

💜👍

[@BombardierJay]

😮

[@blumac9801]

Hello fellow Marcus :)

[@ReefNerd]

hows it going!

[@Harolddespui]

"Like Apple", yes, but even Apple doesn't ask 100 bucks for a Wifi dongle. It's 5 bucks worth of components.

[@xisotopex]

wish there was a video that could show this dumbass (me) how to program the spectral controller

[@peterpan4641]

Wifi dogle 110$ 😂

[@Harolddespui]

Yeah it's crazy, even Apple asks less for a wifi dongle. It's 5 bucks worth of components.