Lighting a Cade S2 600 24" Cube with 2x A360XE's

[ksliech]

Just ordered a Cade S2 600 today (woohoo!!!) and think I've worked out my lighting setup, but wanted some feedback. My plan is to be mostly SPS dominated, with some softies at the lower levels. Here are my requirements:

• SPS + tridacna clams from the top through middle of the tank, not necessarily all the way to the bottom at 24"
• Low mounting height of the lights to avoid getting blinded while sitting nearby
• Metal halide like shimmer (back in the day I used 2x400W MH w/ 110W VHO actinics and loved the shimmer)
• Full spectral and intensity control
• Extra credit: Look more tolerable to my girlfriend: "Those Kessil lights look like a science experiment!". I tend to agree, but I dont see many options to conceal these things in a hood or something similar.

I've done a bunch of research and think a pair of the Kessil A360XE's would do the trick. Aside from aesthetics, they appear to tick all my boxes. I was particularly impressed with the PAR readings from BRS's video where they cram 4x of the A360X's on a 40" tank. That's roughly the density of lights I'd have on this 24" tank, plus the X360XE's have 15% more light output than the A360X's they tested. Having 2 should help eliminate some shading as compared to having a single A360 or A500. I'm also aware of fill lighting options which could help with shading, like the Aquatic Life ones, but they dont appear to be able to handle 2 A360XE's. Since this is a new tank, I shouldn't have to worry about shading for a while and can defer that to later.

What do ya'll think of this setup? Also, any ideas for making these two lights a little more aesthetically pleasing?

 

[rtparty]

I would do one Kessil and 2 AI Blades. The Kessil arms or AI Blade hybrid setup can make it look clean.

The Kessil will give you the shimmer and the Blades will eliminate a lot of the shadowing. You can look up the tanks from the BRS 52 Weeks Season 2 for how to mount and what it will look like

 

[ksliech]

I would do one Kessil and 2 AI Blades. The Kessil arms or AI Blade hybrid setup can make it look clean.

The Kessil will give you the shimmer and the Blades will eliminate a lot of the shadowing. You can look up the tanks from the BRS 52 Weeks Season 2 for how to mount and what it will look like

I took a look at the blades and don't believe they'll pass inspection unfortunately. The Aquatic Life T5 Hybrids look better, and I may be able to get that through eventually. However I'm still interested in the dual A360XE setup to start with, then possibly future expansion later when shading becomes an issue.

Has anyone done dual A360X's on a 24" cube?

 

[Rolliad]

I had similar thoughts when I set mine up. I ultimately went with the dalua x4 and 2 vitamini strips. Love them!

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I’m interested in what you decide to use. As I’m also interested in the new Kessil 360xe’s.

 

[ksliech]

I’m interested in what you decide to use. As I’m also interested in the new Kessil 360xe’s.

I went with dual A360XE’s. I expect longer term to add some fill lighting but this seems like the right solution for now.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

What are your par readings with the new lights? It’s funny how Kessil came out with this new light. And I haven’t seen any good videos on them. However Radion seems to be everywhere. I really like kessil for there shimmer as well as for there looks.

 

[ksliech]

What are your par readings with the new lights? It’s funny how Kessil came out with this new light. And I haven’t seen any good videos on them. However Radion seems to be everywhere. I really like kessil for there shimmer as well as for there looks.

I’ll post some numbers once my rock is in and cured. I agree that the XE’s are not really in the conversation much, or why they’re even selling the old ones!

 

[Bj’s Reef]

Josh at WWC did a lighting video about a month ago. He admitted that all the lights on the market grow corals. I think it’s Ford vs Chevy. With Kessil being Toyota. However none of them has the shimmer like the kessils. My next tank will have kessils.

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

I haven't seen the 360xe for sale in any UK retail shops.weird.a couple of company's are discounting the 360x so perhaps it's getting ready to launch.
I use multiple a160we at the moment & I love the KESSIL shimmer