Kessil a80 Review

Kessil a80 Aquarium Light Review

Today we are reviewing the Kessil a80 aquarium light. The smallest available LED light sold by the company, the Kessil a80 LED light is also the first to be made by Kessil without a single fan. Offering users half the intensity of the A160 model, the A80 has kept the same features and color and control knobs.

Given a top rating of five stars across several websites, the light is best used in nano mixed reef tanks, soft coral tanks, and tanks that only have fish. Continue reading for a full Kessil a80 review, as well as a comparison to several competitors to determine if this is the right tank light for you.

Pros and Cons

The Pros

• Not having a fan allows for totally silent operation
• Dimmable
• Operator has complete control over color
• Unit link cables allow multiple units to work together

The Cons

• Better suited for tanks that only have coral or small fish
• Could be a bit small for use in larger tanks making it necessary to purchase multiple lights

Kessil a80 Review

Kessil a80 Design

The Kessil a80 LED light features a new design that allows the ability for high heat to transfer without the use of a fan through its powder-coated aluminum body. This design allows the light to operate silently, making the light perfect for use in quieter rooms such as bedrooms and offices. The lack of fan should also help to increase the resistance of the fan to water splashing and salt creep.

The small power draw of just 15W at maximum speed is what allows for the passive cooling to operate efficiently.

The entire unit is comprised of 15 individual LED lights covering the entire light color spectrum beginning with white LEDs, a variety of blues, a reddish magenta as well as some UV. The whole lighting unit takes up a total of less than 10mm in space across and also features secondary lenses. In use, the blending is perfect and it produces amazing glittery lines with the help of surface water movement.

The light engine is the same Dense Matrix Array with the same common lens and reflector that is used in the Kessil A160, although the A80 features fewer diodes.

Usage

While the light is great for smaller tanks, its small size means that while bright, additional light is going to be necessary. While the 15cm height could allow it to have the desired effect on its own in small tanks that only have fish or coral tanks around 35cm in-depth, there will not be enough light penetration for much more than that.

The company does suggest using A160 or A360 in order to maintain SPS.

The light does have a broad range, with expected coverage up to 18 inches in diameter from a height of six inches. That coverage expands to 24 inches in diameter when the height reaches eight inches or more, making this light a great option for shallow reef tanks.

Two dials on the upper surface of the light allow the user to adjust color temperature and intensity. The “Kessil Logic” is what allows the user to have control over the final color and intensity of the light while at the same time maintaining an optimum spectrum for coral growth and health.

This light also includes a 0-10V input and output for external control usage with third-party controllers, a feature that is now standard on Kessil items. In addition, the Kessil Spectral Controller features input and output ports that offer the ability to set complete day cycles while at the same time maintaining a constant output and spectrum.

The A80 “Tuna Sun” version offers a warmer light of 6000-9000K, best suited for freshwater and planted tanks and could be better for usage in growing macroalgae. The “Tuna Blue” H80 version offers a light better suited for plant development and should be used with marine and reef aquariums.

Kessil a80 Mounting

This particular light comes with a mounting bracket as well as a 24V DC power cord. Measuring just 12cm across and featuring a thickness of 2.5cm, the tiny light is perfect for smaller tanks. Unit link cables allow for multiple units to be connected for use in larger tanks.

The light can be mounted through several options, including the “top mounting adaptor” which is a bracket that allows the light to be screwed onto some surface such as a hood, as well as the Gooseneck, which may be a better option for those with an open-top tank. Not included in the box, the Gooseneck must be purchased separately, but may be well worth it for some tank owners.

While it is easy to set up and offers enough scope to properly position and angle the light initially, there have been some complaints regarding making adjustments later on as there could be leverage on the base, particularly with thin glass.

The lights can also be suspended from the ceiling for usage with tanks.

How Does The Kessil a80 Aquarium Light Compare To Other Aquarium Lights

Kessil a80 vs Phlizon 165W Dimmable Full Spectrum Aquarium LED Light

The Phlizon 165W Dimmable Full Spectrum Aquarium LED Light offers the user the ability to switch between various colors, including UV blue, purple, white, green, and red. Each light has been shown to be great for particular purposes, with blue aiding in a plant’s defense mechanism, while purple helps to sterilize the tank and protect the growth of the fish. Meanwhile, the red and white lights can help to increase the production of coral.

While the Phlizon 165W Dimmable Full Spectrum Aquarium LED Light does come with a dimmer, the user does not have complete control over color temperature and intensity as is the case with the Kessil A80 model. In addition, the Kessil model allows users to set complete day schedules.

Kessil a80 vs VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control LED Aquarium Light Dimmable

Another viable option on the market today, the Viparspectra Timer Control LED Aquarium Light features a built-in timer for ease of control of the LED lighting. Because it is easy to use, even beginners can quickly program the system to turn on at a certain time or set the color to change at a specific time, changing the intensities of the whites and blues.

However, Kessil does offer multiple other colors in addition to the white and blue that the Viparspectra comes with.

Kessil a80 vs Hipargero Aquarium LED Lights 30W Saltwater Lighting

This high-quality Hipargero Aquarium LED lighting system features a light that contains the correct balance of white and blue light for optimum health of both plant and animal life within the tank. In addition, two dimmable channels allow the users to control the intensity of the light all the way from 0% to 100%, allowing for the proper growth of all SPS or LPS.

A 90-degree three-in-one acrylic lens is included in an effort to provide both high-efficiency light as well as color uniformity. Despite being a great option, the Kessil still comes out on top with its timer feature, allowing users to set complete day schedules ahead of time.

Conclusion

The compact and completely silent nature of the Kessil A80 makes it a great option for use in nano reef and fish-only aquariums. The fanless operation offers a low maintenance option for aquarium owners and the advanced options allow for smooth color mixing as well as gorgeous shimmer throughout the water.

The light is a great option for small, shallow tanks that are home to less demanding corals and animals. It is easy to set up and use, making it a perfect choice for a beginner.