Kessil or Ecotech - which should I get

[valenbj]

So I'm starting up a new reef tank after being out of the hobby for a while. I've got a 120 Gallon, 48x24x24 tank. I'm looking at either 2 Ecotech Xr15Pros or 2 Kessil A360W-E Tuna Blues. I want to control them with an Apex, which it looks like both will do. I'm looking to do mostly soft corals, with maybe some LPSs.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[timnem70]

Seen good success with either light
Supplemental T5 or Reef brutes will only enhance either light.

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[timnem70]

Brites. But wouldn't hurt if they are brutish.

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[Hentz]

Both are great options.

Kessil's would give you that gnarly shimmer they're famous for.
Radions would give you a more wide variety of controlability.

I'd go Radions over Kessil. Now I'm not saying they're better than the Kessils. I'm only choosing the Radions due to the simple fact that you're able to have a bit more controllability over the Kessil.

 

[gus6464]

You will need the new apex to control the g4. If you already have an old apex it won't work.

 

[Breadman03]

You will need the new apex to control the g4. If you already have an old apex it won't work.

No longer true Neptune released a firmware update that makes it work now.

 

[madreefer2013]

Kessil for the shimmer . Ain't nothing like it!

 

[peder]

Orphek or Phillips, Way better spread!

 

[goreef170]

If you like the Shimmer, as I do...Go with Kessil.....

 

[ChrisKirkland]

EcoTech Radion G4, I would Run 2 of them. I run 6 over my 300DD that has all SPS in it and they grow great. Love these lights.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I can't believe you are torn between these two. They are both good lights, I like the EcoTech a bit better. But it's like saying you have to choose between a sports car and an SUV. They are just so different.

 

[ktownhero]

The God Rays you get with Kessil lights is really something special.

 

[valenbj]

hmmmm.....sounds like they are both good lights. I'm kinda leaning towards the kessils because of the shimmer, plus they would be a little cheaper since I don't need to buy the neptune module for controlling the radions, just a cable for the kessils.

 

[ca1ore]

The only trouble with the Kessils (I have a bunch of them) is that they are essentially a point source and shading can be a problem; particularly if, like me, you have or plan to have large SPS colonies. I love the look and shimmer, but ended up with more than I thought I would originally due to shading. Over my 265 I use three 360s as the mains, and four 160s as target lights. If only I were a bit more disciplined about pruning.

 

[ElCamino]

kessils they are right about the shedding, when your corals grow in you might want to supplement them with either more kessils or something else that goes end to end of your tank. I love the look of the kessils in the tank and in the room myself. Radions seem to be popular.

 

[Grayhead]

I supplement my kessils with t-5 lighting. 3 kessils 360we over 5' tank. 2- 2bulb t-5 as well. Still working on light height and intensity with my tank.
Everything I've read about the G4 is higher lights for more even coverage. People are stacking more than 2 lights over a 4' tank as well.

 

[Spiffy]

I love my Radions. Fully controllable, great coverage. They also come with a wide lens that you can install if you need wider coverage for your tank. Ca1ore is right about the Kessils about the point source and shading issues. I have seen them at my LFS. They can be a problem if you have large SPS colonies.

 

[rjjr1963]

The shimmer looks nice but it may not be the best thing for the corals. Those sparkly ripples are really highly focused beams of lights. The periodicity of the waves can create many more of these high energy ripples which could damage coral.

 

[ReefCowboy]

If you can go with G4 Radions, I think that would be a superior light. Ive owned Kessils and love the shimmer, but the G4's are bringing the heat right now IMO

 

[Scorpius]

The shimmer looks nice but it may not be the best thing for the corals. Those sparkly ripples are really highly focused beams of lights. The periodicity of the waves can create many more of these high energy ripples which could damage coral.

lol wut? I've been running Kessil A360we's for three years now and I've had no damage from the concentrated light ripples.

We better tell the sun to not be a point source of light and those ocean waves better calm down as well. We can't have any of those high energy sparkly things going on. :lol: