SquareReefer
New member
First off, this is not intended to be a bash Kessil post. I would like some honest feedback from owners so that I can decide on my lighting strategy. I am mainly interested in hearing failure / reliability of the a160we fixtures once they reach 2+ years of age.
I purchased a used tank and light setup that included (2) a160we Tuna Blue lights + the controller last year. In June, I noticed one of the lights was no longer emitting any blue color even when connected without the controller. White spectrum was fine, but as I adjusted toward blue the light would just turn off without producing anything in the blue spectrum.
I contacted Kessil and found the light to be out of warranty and was offered what seemed like a potentially expensive repair option with no guarantees or the option to purchase a new light with 2-year warranty at a discounted rate when ended up being ~$200 with shipping. I chalked it up to my bad luck with used gear and purchased the discounted light.
Fast forward three months and I came home last week to find my other used a160we displaying the exact same behavior. I contacted Kessil and as expected was given the same options. I am not bashing the manufacture as I am the one that purchased used equipment.
I am now trying to decide between buying another discounted Kessil which would give me 2 new lights with full warranty vs selling the (2) month old perfectly working kessil and buying a different brand all together.
Is it typical for Kessils to stop working in the 2-3 year old range? Is it possibly my spectral controller or one of the cables from the controller could be bad?
If I move from Kessil, what other LED light would be ideal for a 60g 24x24x24" mixed reef? I am giving consideration to the Hydra 26 HD. I would prefer to keep pricing under $400. I do not mind buying another Kessil but I just don't want to replace again in 2 years.
I purchased a used tank and light setup that included (2) a160we Tuna Blue lights + the controller last year. In June, I noticed one of the lights was no longer emitting any blue color even when connected without the controller. White spectrum was fine, but as I adjusted toward blue the light would just turn off without producing anything in the blue spectrum.
I contacted Kessil and found the light to be out of warranty and was offered what seemed like a potentially expensive repair option with no guarantees or the option to purchase a new light with 2-year warranty at a discounted rate when ended up being ~$200 with shipping. I chalked it up to my bad luck with used gear and purchased the discounted light.
Fast forward three months and I came home last week to find my other used a160we displaying the exact same behavior. I contacted Kessil and as expected was given the same options. I am not bashing the manufacture as I am the one that purchased used equipment.
I am now trying to decide between buying another discounted Kessil which would give me 2 new lights with full warranty vs selling the (2) month old perfectly working kessil and buying a different brand all together.
Is it typical for Kessils to stop working in the 2-3 year old range? Is it possibly my spectral controller or one of the cables from the controller could be bad?
If I move from Kessil, what other LED light would be ideal for a 60g 24x24x24" mixed reef? I am giving consideration to the Hydra 26 HD. I would prefer to keep pricing under $400. I do not mind buying another Kessil but I just don't want to replace again in 2 years.
