Aqua Illumination LED's

[RDENNI15]

Hi all
I currently have 2 AI Vegas over my 75 gallon tank, Ive had them since new maybe 5 years ago and of late they have been turning off and on every couple of minutes when on the daylight cycle.
I have sent the lights in for repair twice now and each time I received them back they would perform normally for a few hours and then revert back to turning off and on.
AI recently emailed me saying they no longer have the parts to repair my Vegas. That said AI offered me an upgrade to the new Hydra 26 HD's for $225 each.
I do not know if I want to stay with AI or switch to Kessil LED's (AP700)
I am finding it hard to read reviews on the new Hydra HD's without seeing the same issues with the new lights themselves.
I do like the idea of WIFI built-in and the dusk to dawn ramping like my Vegas did and find it hard to change brands because of this.

I have read that Kessil is a very good product but I have never seen them in any LFS yet in my area.

From anyone that knows anything about either product would you have an honest and partial review of them.
What is your opinion on either light system.

Yes the Hydras would definitely be cheaper in the long wrong being all I would have to do is swap them out with my Vegas but from a reliability and appearance standpoint which light would or did you prefer?

Thanks

 

[timnem70]

My two.cents is that if you're gonna basically start again, and you've got the funds. That AP700 may be just what you're looking for. It is one powerful light and you'll be building for the future with it. Look up the Kessil AP700 users forum on here. Pretty impressive

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Hentz]

I've never had experience from the AP700's... However.. I have had experience from the Hydra's.

I ran an SPS Dominant tank which was 36x18x19. I originally had two Hydra 26HD's over the tank and they worked amazing. In fact, so well, I eventually added a third when I moved. Though continuously adding so many frags, my internet connection was complete crap and my Hydras wouldn't stay connected. Not their fault, it was my shitty router, even my PC had too many issues with the internet. I got fed up, sold them, and went with an ATI 6x39 Sunpower, plug and play. Had great success with that as well.

After my reboot, I had to downgrade to the Reefer 170 where I'm currently BACK to Hydra 26HD. Wanted to go the Radion G4 route, though couldn't see myself dropping that much money on a light before my wedding and purchase of a home.

Do I regret going back to Hydra 26HD's? Absolutely not. I freaking LOVE these lights. I've had so much success with them! It makes me laugh hearing how LED's don't grow and color up Acropora. My Acropora in my tank now are doing outstanding. A few of us on here are using a mock Ecotech Marine SPS AB+ profile for our Hydras and are having some pretty insane results. My alkalinity consumption has bumped up dramatically which forced me to add on a doser for Alk/Cal. After finding out how low my Alk was, now that it's back to 7.5, my corals are doing incredible again. Noticing daily growth on a few!

Don't let the picture fool you in terms of coral color. This was posted right before I realized my Alk was sitting at 5.4. They rapidly bounced back to what they normally look like, bright and colorful.



Here's a shot of one of my favorite pieces so far which went from a very pale purple/pink to this in just a few weeks.

 

[jubjub47]

I currently run both in our show and have experience with many of each light. The kessil is a great light technology wise, but the interface is absolutely the worst I've ever seen on a light. Once programmed there really isn't another light on the same playing field though. We've sold over 400 hydra 26's over the past few years and are by far the most popular light at our store. They program easily and perform great. They would be my recommendation if you want the least amount of headache in programming.

 

[RDENNI15]

Thanks everyone, I will be going with the Hydras. I'm all about set it and forget it.
Love your tank HENTZ, wish mine looked like yours. I just started adding corals to my tank so I'm hoping in a year or so I will have that look as well.