Kessil LED's

[Evolley1]

I'm sure people have seen these already but is there anyone in the Chicagoland area that owns a Kessil LED fixture. These lights are intriguing me for their simplicity, connect ability, small size and the ability to provide shimmer. I still have halides over my temp stock tank and I'm looking to upgrade in the near future when I put my display back together. Just wondering if any locals have experience with them.

 

[JB63]

Steve at ReefPlus in Aurora has them on display on his tanks ... might be worthwhile a visit.
Plus, a chance to meet a real cool guy.

 

[Evolley1]

I know Steve out there but it's been awhile since I last visited him. Now I have even more of a reason to go out and see them in person. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[JB63]

very welcome ... I owe him a visit too.

 

[ghostman]

I have a Kessil 350W on a 60g cube and like it a lot. I think people either love or hate the color and shimmer of the fixture. They truly need to be seen in person to visualize and decide if you like them or not. Personally I love the color, and the shimmer is not annoying but it is a lot. Since it is very much like a point source of light, I do see that SPS only color up on the upper surface, and seem to die off, or bleach on the underside of the branches. Coral growth and health are very good though.

 

[Tete]

I have two A150 Ocean Blues, the 15K version, on my 65 gallon 36in. wide acro dominated tank. They supplement my 250W Phoenix MH's. I love the look and shimmer. I saw them at the store in Skokie and then in Highland Indiana and decided to get them.

 

[N1ceDrgn]

Is shading an issue with the Kessil's? I've been using MH's for years and I'm preparing to change out to LED's. I'm a fan of the Kessil lighting but I haven't heard anything about shading problems that most people notice with LED lights.

 

[JB63]

The only reason the Kessil are more prone to shading is because it is essentially a point source, abour 4 inches across. Granted, the MH are also small, but they come with LARGE reflectors. the Kessils do not. So, if you're aquascape is NOT flat, might look carefully at overhangs and shadow making elements. Some people have also reported that, because of the 'point source', shimmering tend to be much more pronounced than e.g. MH.

 

[N1ceDrgn]

The only reason the Kessil are more prone to shading is because it is essentially a point source, abour 4 inches across. Granted, the MH are also small, but they come with LARGE reflectors. the Kessils do not. So, if you're aquascape is NOT flat, might look carefully at overhangs and shadow making elements. Some people have also reported that, because of the 'point source', shimmering tend to be much more pronounced than e.g. MH.

Thank you JB63.