making switch from mh to led help 180 gal

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datsunfiveten

New member
Hey guys I'm sorry if this has been talked.about to death. But I have not quite found the answers to help me decide. I have a 180 gal mixed reef and want to switch from 3 250w mh to led I'm thinking 3 kessil a350w or 3 ai sol. Tank is 72" long and 24 deep. I also use a Apex controller however controlling lights with it would be nice its not enough to make me 100% sold on ai. I read the kessils are bleaching corals was wondering how people Re preventing that

Thanks for input
 
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I did the same switch, I bought 6, cause I had no faith they would be enough. I'm using 4, they are awesome. 180 SPS and clams, no bleaching, colors are wicked. I really did not want a computer controlled lighting system, it's just on a timer, I have actinic flouro's that go on for sunrise and sunset. It's $1600 which is about what my MH setup was 10 years ago. At this point I wouldn't even consider a digitally controlled system even if they weren't twice as much, I've read too many software problems to be interested in it and I'm very pleased with the simplicity.
 
I could see bleaching being a problem with any led brand if you don't bother acclimating. I changed from 400's though so I just cranked them up right away, no problem
 
datsunfiveten said:
Hey guys I'm sorry if this has been talked.about to death. But I have not quite found the answers to help me decide. I have a 180 gal mixed reef and want to switch from 3 250w mh to led I'm thinking 3 kessil a350w or 3 ai sol. Tank is 72" long and 24 deep. I also use a Apex controller however controlling lights with it would be nice its not enough to make me 100% sold on ai. I read the kessils are bleaching corals was wondering how people Re preventing that

Thanks for input
Click to expand...

Have you looked into EverGrow? Reef Breeders in the US sells them if you don't want todeal with the factory in China. I went from 1050W of MH (3 250W bulbs & 2 150W bulbs) over my 180 to 2 of the EverGrow IT2080 leds. I have higher PAR (yes I have a meter) and corals are doing just fine 2 months after the switch. I don't know what the AI or kessil would cost, but the IT2080 can be found for $450-500. I got mine in a group buy for just $340 ea. Two other guys with 220g tanks replaced got them as well, one had 3 400W MH and the other had 5 old led fixtures. We all think these are the best value and great lights. They don't run off any controller, they have their own. Mine run 24/7 as even the moonlights can be ramped up and down. And you get to do a completely custom led/color layout so you get what you want rather than what AI or Kessil want you to have. I'm just say'n...
 
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Thank you guys for the input I will take.a look at the suggested options. I really.like the color.from.the kessils just not sure what would be a good supplement for. sun rise and set
 
Just to update for other viewers.I made the switch from the MH and VHO to the kessil a350w I couldn't be happier. The color of the tank and coral is amazing. I am only at 25% intensity as I am easing the coral into them. Had them for so far. will post pictures later. Also I used the wides and I have no dark parts of the tank the wides cover very well
 
I used 3 I really thought I would have needed 4 but 3 looks great. All the light over laps enough to get full coverage they are about 12 in off water
 
I only have a birds nest and a montipora as far as sps goes mostly Lps
I have seen people post that they have been able to grow sps no problem with could placement
 
here is a picture sorry phone dose not take great pictures. allot bluer on camera then in real life. also still need to make a real mounting set up.

DSC_0014_zps45a508c4.jpg
 
datsunfiveten said:
Also would you recommend the the 350 or 350w I wish They sold the lenses
Click to expand...

I would recommend the A350. I just installed two over my 90 gal. 24" deep and 48" long. One a350 covers more than half my tank with led installed about 13" above the water. I'm glad I didn't get the 350w cause I would have given up some par at the bottom. I think they are great units. Easy as pie to install and use. I know they lack the controllability but after doing some research on Kessil they really seem to know about photosynthesis. They have been in the horticulture business a long time and have state of the art research and development facilities. At least you'll know it wasn't just some guy soldering so-so LEDs in their garage.
 
datsunfiveten said:
I used 3 I really thought I would have needed 4 but 3 looks great. All the light over laps enough to get full coverage they are about 12 in off water
Click to expand...

Maybe you would have needed four had you gone with a350. Take it easy with them as far as acclimatization goes. You can easily burn up some coral if your not care full.
 
Also I have designed a way to control 350s with apex with out voiding the warranty. I am still building prototype and will be starting a thread soon on it
 
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