Reef breeders value VS kessil a150w

[Ssteve]

Plan to pull the hood and add a piece of plexi, and would like to support some SPS's, and see some zoa's grow like crazy. I'm working with a budget in the sub $230 range and have it narrowed down to either a kessil a150w 15k, or a reef breeders value fixture. I much prefer the look and shimmer effect the kessil provides, but am wondering what has been proven to provide the best results? Looking to just start growing out some frags, and support a bubble tip.

 

[pkirby]

What size is your tank?

 

[Ssteve]

14g biocube, but would like to move to a larger cube eventually and keep the same light if possible.

 

[MrIcky]

Kessil 150s are a very good match IMHO for small cubes 25 gallons or less. They've been proven to give good results on tanks that size. They have some advantages with top down visibility, mounting options, and plug and play. On that 14gallon, I'd suspend it about 10-12 inches up and then just leave it alone.

The flipside is people have used a reefbreeders value on up to a 40 breeder so they really have a lot more punch depending on your expansion plans.

 

[Ssteve]

I much prefer the look of the kessils, so if there's not a drastic difference in growth, then I think I'll go in that direction, and I guess if I go to a tank larger then what a single one will cover I can always either add another one, or sell it and get a a350w for not much more $$.

 

[pkirby]

a value fixture would be entirely too much for a tank that size IMO. Obviously you can dial it WAY down and probably be OK... but you're looking at a fixture that's 16" long on a tank that's 15" wide. In other words, it's going to be bigger than your tank.

an advantage of the value fixture is that since it's not a single point light, your shadowing shouldn't be as harsh and the light spread would be very even. Another advantage is that you could turn it way down and adjust intensity as needed... as far as growth, they can both grow coral with no problem! (assuming it's not a really deep tank)

personally though, I'd get the A150 or even consider getting a par38 LED from reefbreaders or rapidled or something similar... worst case you could use it as supplemental lighting when you do go bigger.

this is my opinion though... I do not have experience with a value fixture over a tank of your size. The value fixture would be a great option though once you do move to a larger tank... such as a 45 or 60 cube.