Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

BulkReefSupplyCom

In today's BRStv Investigates episode, we are putting the popular Kessil AP700 through the rigorous testing to see how it stacks up against being a model LED light for an SPS dominant saltwater reef aquarium. In this video, Ryan will share the PAR charts, spectrum, color blending ability and much more for the AP700! Check out the Kessil AP700 here! https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ap700-led-lighting-panel-kessil.html Kessil has been producing LED lights for fresh and saltwater aquariums for quite some time now, and they have grabbed a foothold in the market with their Dense Matrix LED clusters and simple, refined control that just works. Kessil has a few different models of LED lights for reef tanks, and today we are going to take an in-depth look at the AP700. The AP700 looks very close to two Kessil A360We modules placed into a single fixture, but it is actually more. The AP700 now comes with electronic onboard control with simple touch buttons, along with WiFi control that you can use with most smart devices. Ryan and the crew put the Kessil AP700 through the rigorous testing procedures we have put all other LEDs through, and the AP700 was a great performer. Between the PAR output and the option to add diffusers over the optics make it an excellent lighting choice for any saltwater tank. Many reefers have been very successful with Kessil LED lights, and we believe a majority of that credit is due to Kessil Logic, which is their way of creating a perfectly blended spectrum no matter how you set the light. Today on BRStv, we have a brand new episode of our series, BRStv Investigates. In this series, we explore popular reefing theories, products, methods, and what the manuals are missing, with a focus on putting them to the test! If you liked this episode, and want to watch more, keep an eye out because we release new BRStv Investigates episodes every Friday. We have many more tests that we are currently running and then a bunch more that we want to complete. If you want us to investigate everything make sure to let us know in the comments below. *Legal Stuff* The purpose and content of this video is to provide general information regarding the products and their applications as presented in the video. Aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents disclaim all express or implied warranties, in any way, related to the products and their application as presented in this video, make no representation or warranty regarding the products and the application as presented in this video and shall not be liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages of any type, including but not limited to punitive damages, or from personal injury or death resulting from or in any manner related to the video, and the products in and contents of the video. The viewer expressly agrees that aquatic sales solutions, inc. And its officers, directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages or losses related to the products in and content of the video and hereby agrees to hold the foregoing harmless from any such losses or damages.

Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates 253 19

Reef tank 7 years ago 27,871 views

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Most popular comments
for Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

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Comments on YouTube

Nathan Gonzalez - 6 years ago

So you wouldn't recommend this for a dominate sps tank?... I have a 36 gallon bow front tank and it's sps dominate with a few montis. I was wanting to get this light but now I'm having second thoughts

BulkReefSupplyCom - 6 years ago

It's definitely a solid option for an SPS dominant tank, so much so that we've even used them on our BRS160. Check out this video where we explain how to use the AP700 for any tank type. https://youtu.be/UHtITV_QBrs

Retro Reefs - 6 years ago

Where these lights tested at 100%

Retro Reefs - 6 years ago

Scratch that found my answer

klarionc - 6 years ago

par charts are the best! A80. are they out yet?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 6 years ago

Not yet, but we might explore them in the future.

Jim Edwards - 6 years ago

Just bought 2. Now I'm broke :(

bif24701 - 6 years ago

Why not just come out and say that this is the best LED?

Marty Rich - 6 years ago

This is love .

Joshua Mundy - 6 years ago

Can you comment on why your PAR readings from testing approximately one year ago with the AP700 are significantly different than this latest result? Running an IM lagoon 50 LPS/softie, intensity recommendations would be great if you have experience.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 6 years ago

It could be a pretty fun thing to play around with. Unfortunately, we didn't test the PAR numbers for each individual channel, so it's tough to say what that specific intensity and spectrum will produce. It's usually best practice to start low and gradually make increases over time! :-)

Joshua Mundy - 6 years ago

Thank you!!! You guys are truly amazing! If I were running only blues on an LPS and softie tank, would you increase the intensity? I’m going to try 40% all blue for a 50g 12” deep. What do you think?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 6 years ago

Sure! For the initial PAR testing we were using a different PAR meter, whereas for all of our PAR testing now, we use a high-end laboratory Li-Cor PAR meter. :-)

Matt Johnson - 7 years ago

Just ordered two AP700's for my Deep Blue 80 gallon frag. Thanks Ryan!

lukejo45 - 7 years ago

what intensity are you running on the AP700's on the BRS 160

Corbin Morris - 6 years ago

Was there a reason for the switch?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We have since switched them for A360s, but when they were installed we only ran them at about 35% max intensity. Granted we had three of them as well as 4x-T5s!

10. comment for Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

Zachary Schneider - 7 years ago

Awesome video, I love my ap700 but do agree the app could still use some tweeking. Thank you Ryan's and brs for all you do!

Nathan Carter - 7 years ago

Ryan says in all these videos that they are using a 4ft 120 but the par graph says 40x20. So what is the dimensions of the larger tank being used to do the test?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Foot feet is the outside dimensions of the glass. We need to factor in the sensors and bracket. So front to back on each side the measurement is 2 inches from the outside of the tank. left to right it is 4 inches of the outside edge.

Daniel Garcia - 7 years ago

Where are you guys running the intensity 100%

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Yep, for the testing on the 48" tank we were. :-)

Nick Fel - 7 years ago

Hello! Great Vid as usual!
When exactly does the black friday sale start? Is it a week-long, presale or is it literally on black friday. Thanks!

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Check out the site near the end of the week and watch for daily emails and videos! :-)

NYC Top corals - 7 years ago

i have radion G$ and kessil A360l! bottom line radions are way better than kessil.

NYC Top corals - 7 years ago

you guys should look into GHL LIghts the MITRA 7 something

Raven FPV1 - 7 years ago

New to saltwater and wondering why it took me so long. I missed out all those years.

trickyriky5540 - 7 years ago

Are you guys going to test reef breeder photon v2? I would really like to see these up against the radions. See how they stack up.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We really wish we could test every light out there, but we just don't have the budget or bandwidth to get to all of them. :-)

William Linegar - 7 years ago

Thanks for this! I would like to know if 2 700’s are better than 4 360’s on the 120G?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Check out this video with PAR charts and info on the A360s! https://youtu.be/wavz8K63-Oc

Reef Keeper - 7 years ago

Great video and not boring. The problem with this light is the SHADOWING in your corals - SPS especially. If you want shadows inside and underneath your SPS - this is the light for you! In fact, most LEDs would be a great choice if you want shadowing in your SPS corals. You must order several more than what is recommended by the manufacturer in order to blanket your tank and avoid shading caused by LEDs. I find that corals will grow on top, but not inside or underneath like they do with T5 or Metal Halide. That is one of the biggest problems with LEDs.

20. comment for Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

Lava_sysT - 7 years ago

i'm planning to buy a red sea reefer 425xl. The tank is 47"x22". So i should install this ap700 on a 48" about the tank. Can i still have some sps with such height. And will i have loads of light around the tank to?

Lava_sysT - 7 years ago

What will be the best height if i go for a mixed reef and a little sps on the top of the rocks? the lower range covers only 36"x24", my tank will be 47"x22".
thanks!

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

That is pretty high above the tank which would probably drive PAR levels fairly low and increase much of the light spillage into the surrounding room. I'd imagine that the PAR loss would probably be in the lower ranges of what SPS dominant tanks require.

TheDrakenZ - 7 years ago

sps dominant reef, not dominate.

bob johnson - 7 years ago

This stuff is great, keep it up!!! By far the best YouTube channel for reefing out there!!!!! I'm still hoping to see you guys test the AI Hydra 52HD. You sell them so why not test them?

Carlos Pina - 6 years ago

Hopefully you guys didn't forget that the Hydra 52HDs are yet to be tested.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Although we're taking a short break We're definitely not done testing LEDs!

Rogue Snail - 7 years ago

As usual you guys put out the best content in reviews.
Why is there no good review of the high end Tunze 9415-9430-9480 DOC skimmers?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Hopefully we could do a video on those one day! :-)

ReefRealEstate In Canada - 7 years ago

Are you running this test set at 100% intensity? If not what is the setting? A comment below stated that the controller is terrible, I agree a year ago but now the app is running flawless on my iPhone. I have 2 of these lights over my 270 gallon mixed reef. Love them so far. I have an apex and at first I was concerned that I could run these lights through it but it really isn’t needed. Just pull out your phone to tweak the light whenever. Super easy, the lunar cycle is great you can bring it down to 1% which is almost non existent. One thing I find is that it doesn’t cycle between the moon phases though, ie: when You start on 1/4 moon I don’t see it going to 1/2, 3/4, full, new, at all. Seems it just stays on whatever you set it at. My only issue with it.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

The PAR testing specifically on the 4ft tank was at 100% intensity. :-)

Hello There - 7 years ago

You guys make some great videos.

henrywsnow - 7 years ago

I only have a Petco near me for coral and marine fish. How can I tell if they take good care of fish and coral, and if they would be ok to purchase from?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Great answer by Martin! :-)

Martin Oldham - 7 years ago

henrywsnow talk to the employees that are in the fish department. If they know what they are talking about and you don’t find dead fish/coral you should be ok with purchasing. But as always you should quarantine fish and coral. If possible medicate fish and dip coral for several weeks. Setting up a couple of 10 gallon tanks with hang on filters are easy and inexpensive and saves you a whole lot of headaches and money.

Clayton Jessup - 7 years ago

Would you say a single AP700 paired with a AquaticLife 4bulb T5 Hybrid would be a solid choice for a 4ft 75g Aquarium ?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

That's another great option especially since you can space out two separate fixtures independently of one another, versus being stuck with the AP700 and its fixed lenses. :-)

Clayton Jessup - 7 years ago

BulkReefSupplyCom , thank you for the input . Do you feel kessil A360WE ‘s might be a better choice then the AP700. Like a pair of the A360we’s ? For my tank ?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

It would probably get it done pretty well, however your higher PAR demand corals may need to be more towards the center of the tank. :-)

Jeep Fish - 7 years ago

You should do a videos on a cheep led from amazon and just compare the differences between the better lighting options

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We really wish we could test every light out there, but unfortunately it's just not in the budget or bandwidth at the time. :-)

A Ron - 7 years ago

They did one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCSbukB3Ieg

Tom Gionet - 7 years ago

I just ordered an Aquatic Life hybrid solution to replace my single LET t5 retrofit I have with my AP700. Currently running the AP700 @12"/75% with 2 blue plus. What mounting height and intensity were you running on the BRS 160? I'll be running 2 blue+ sandwiching 2 true actinic bulbs. 36x18x21 tank.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

They were mounted right about 8.5" from the water's surface.

30. comment for Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

Kyl Aquaria - 7 years ago

Great light, garbage control-ability. At this point I'd take 0-10v control over their own controller / app.

prvtec4u - 7 years ago

Need some nano love! Kessil A80

Mike B - 7 years ago

Two comments: I held a Kessil A360WE above my tank with a 250W metal halide in a Lumenarc fixture and I couldn't even tell the Kessil was on. Really makes me wonder about how much light these really have vs. metal halides.

Second comment: Any reason why you don't test other brands of lights you sell? So far you basically have only tested Kessil, Ecotech and AI lights, except for that Orphek one which also happened to be an expensive light. I'm curious how the cheaper lights compare like MaxSpect, you have the Razor and the Ethereal lights currently, but I'm just curious if they're good enough for what they do, or if you really are getting what you pay for.

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We're definitely not done testing lights yet! We'll be back with more tests down the road! :-)

Tempest Space - 7 years ago

What is the fish on the left called at 8:11 called

Tempest Space - 7 years ago

Tyler's Reef yes that is thank you.

Tyler's Reef - 7 years ago

I think you’re referring to the blotched Anthias. Very beautiful and expensive fish.

gord oland - 7 years ago

Good test!

Bronxton - 7 years ago

Great light, but damn that price tag.

Channing Jordan - 7 years ago

Par numbers as sleep aids. No way! I just bought 2 AP700 form Brs cant wait to set my new 220 up and get these lights on it. Thanks for everything the team at BRS does for the reefing community . By the way I could use a third light for that size tank. lol

Rookie_Reefer - 7 years ago

Tom Gorski this hobby is expensive I don’t understand why your salty about the cost?

Channing Jordan - 7 years ago

Tom Gorski I was hoping to win the third one and I only paid $1400 for both lights with discounts. Yes it is nice to save my money and get what I want.

Tom Gorski - 7 years ago

Ahh sure why not just throw another $900 on there making it almost 3,000 dollars in just lighting. Sure wish I had your kind of money, must be nice.

Rookie_Reefer - 7 years ago

Channing Jordan I also just set up my 220 and I have 2 ap700’s on it and I think I’m going to add a third and also 2) 4ft 2 bulb T5’s with blue and purple bulbs. The 2 ap700’s work but I can see how a third is what my 6 foot long tank needs

9StickNate - 7 years ago

PAR numbers (and coffee) start my day. This light was deceptive to me. I always thought it would have a lot of shadowing because there were only 2 light sources. My local LFS setup a 90 cube with one of these. I was very impressed by the coverage, color and evenness of the light. I did a double-take; as it didn't look like it was illuminated by leds. The control-ability looks pretty impressive too.

Smartyfox511 Gaming - 7 years ago

BRS TV is a god send for me to be able set up my tanks!

Christopher Jameson - 7 years ago

Ryan, this stuff is not boring. It's the point of the series, the silent majority of your viewers appreciate this series.

Frank Cava - 7 years ago

Another great video. I have been seriously thinking of getting one of these lights, but now that I know you cant use it with the spectral controller, which I already own, they are OUT! Until they make it compatible with their own controller, which it already logically should be, I don't want one. As the Tangerine Asshole would say: "Kessil AP700 not "compatible" with its own "controller". Sad!"

denierlexiese - 7 years ago

We love your par charts!!

Speedy - 7 years ago

BRS Tv the best in the industry

Johnny Ringo - 7 years ago

Finally Thank you for the review i love my ap 700

michael coyle - 7 years ago

Just curious, why do you say you’re testing on a 4 foot tank but the par reading pages say the tank is 40x20 ?

michael coyle - 7 years ago

BulkReefSupplyCom got it. Thanks

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Alex's Reef - 7 years ago

this was cool, already entered. good luck to everyone.

DJ's Reef - 7 years ago

I've been waiting for this one

Ivica Tomoski - 7 years ago

Awesome! Great job! Any chance on doing a video on the hydra fifty two hd?

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We are taking a short break from all of the LED testing videos, but we definitely are not done yet! :-)

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

Hey, there's a great conversation about this LED happening now on Reef2Reef! Get over there and jump in!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/par-charts-and-more-par-charts-for-the-kessil-ap700-led-brstv-investigates.336104/

BulkReefSupplyCom - 7 years ago

We sure will get to more of these LED tests and lighting testing, however we are taking a short break from them to focus on other directions for BRStv Investigates. :-)

Arthur Asatrjan - 7 years ago

So you guys won't be doing the hydra 26hd:(((. Guess I need to find a par meter

CARLOS CAMARA - 7 years ago

BulkReefSupplyCom zoo thank you

About Testing the AP700 for lighting an SPS dominant reef tank. | BRStv Investigates

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