Recommendation for LEDs that shimmer

[Sullivmw]

I was looking for recommendations for LED light fixtures that match the shimmer effect of MH's. Been using my MH's on my tanks for many years, and love the shimmer, but my electric meter is getting a bit worn out and my chiller is going to need replacing.

I tried T5s, VHOs and such in the past. Certainly are great products, but I kept coming back to the halides due to that natural effect I couldn't seem to get on the florescents.

I looked at the few brands my LFS stock on their tanks, didn't really see any that caught my eye, but the inventory was limited compared to the huge selection I see online.

 

[vhuang168]

Kessils are the king of shimmer!


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[Assasi]

I use Kessil's on my 300 gal reef and love them! nice shimmer without disco effect.

 

[VGT]

Kessils have great shimmer. My Hydra26 shimmers well, too.

 

[Uplift]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxZsHInV8Rw

 

[ktownhero]

Kessil lights were the first time I looked at an aquarium and it felt like what you see when diving. Their shimmer is really unmatched. Sometimes it can be too much but there are ways to soften it like the diffusion kits for the AP700.

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[meegwell]

Just curious..what aspect of the light source makes the shimmer?

 

[ComforablyNumb]

Just curious..what aspect of the light source makes the shimmer?

Single point light emission. The Kessils have their leds in a tight group (half an inch or so)

 

[ktownhero]

Just curious..what aspect of the light source makes the shimmer?

Same reason you can see your shadow in the sun but not inside a typical office: light is coming from one angle more than the others.

From a shimmer perspective, Kessils are like being in the sun while T5s are like being in an office building with fluorescent lights every 2'.

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[Sullivmw]

Thanks for the input - really appreciate it!!!

I will need to check out the Kessils - hopefully I can find someone in my area that has them up and running.

Any suggestion on the Kessils (size, amount) for a 24" x 24" cube that is mostly soft / lps / and a few sps?

 

[drummerboyevil]

Thanks for the input - really appreciate it!!!

I will need to check out the Kessils - hopefully I can find someone in my area that has them up and running.

Any suggestion on the Kessils (size, amount) for a 24" x 24" cube that is mostly soft / lps / and a few sps?

Two a160's. If you plan on going a little more SPS eventually bit the bullet and get a ap700 in my opinion.

 

[ca1ore]

Kessils are the only LED option I've seen that match MH shimmer. They also suffer from similar shading problems. For a 24x24 cube a single 360 would suffice, as would a pair of 160s. Depending on the hood/canopy, going with AP700 would generate quite a lot of light spill. Bothers me .... maybe not others.

 

[Sullivmw]

It's an open top - rimless tank - so light spill can be a bit annoying to me.

I will look at all three of the Kessil options listed below and use this as my test tank. I do like the idea of 2 lights so I can move them around a bit. I want to make sure I get this right before replacing 8 MHs on my other tank.

 

[krazycanuck2011]

COB LED's

COB LED's

Before anyone says anything about what I'm about to say - I own 4 Kessil A360WE's, and love them I plan on adding to them with an AP700 for a new tank later this year.

That being said, if you get a COB (Chip On Board) LED light, there are some cost effective alternatives than Kessil's which perform. The evil Jebao company also have a Kessil clone. GalaxyHydro (look on youtube) have a COB led light similar to a chinese blackbox LED which works nicely and has wifi control as well...

There are alternatives, but Kessil's are that cat's meow. I wish they would make a diffuser for the 360's I am planning on making and selling a diffuser kit for the 360WE's myself within the next month or so.

 

[pfan151]

Any leds will shimmer. It's more a result of how much agitation you have on the water surface.

 

[Sullivmw]

I'm not sure I have seen all LEDs have the shimmer that MHs have. Totally understand surface agitation, but the ones I have seen at my LFS certainly do not have the MH shimmer. Maybe the more focused lights help?

 

[pfan151]

It's not exactly the same effect as a MH. I prefer leds to not shimmer as much because the LED shimmer looks a little unnatural to me.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

I prefer leds to not shimmer as much because the LED shimmer looks a little unnatural to me.

Go snorkling on any reef in the world on a sunny day...strong shimmer is evident and quite natural.
No shimmer = unnatural to me.

 

[ca1ore]

Go snorkling on any reef in the world on a sunny day...strong shimmer is evident and quite natural.
No shimmer = unnatural to me.

Yep!

 

[pfan151]

Go snorkling on any reef in the world on a sunny day...strong shimmer is evident and quite natural.
No shimmer = unnatural to me.

Shimmer from a MH for sure. The shimmer from LEDs doesn't look as natural to me. Especially when it's a very strong shimmer.