thoughts on kessil A150 Led...

[Devaji108]

I did a search and did not find much info there...so I started and new thread.
these seam pretty nice little pendents, from the videos I have seen.
I like the look a bit better than Al sol I know there not programmable but are they demable?

and feedback from folks that got some from the first batch?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

They are horticulture lights that have been modified for our purposes. How much modifying is the question.

Tagging along..

 

[Devaji108]

yeah that's what I understand. I really like the look of these guys. the frist batch sold out so there must be ppl out there using them.
from the vids. on youtube they look like there rocking it.
might give a call to one of the shops and ask them some questions now that they have been running them for a few months.

 

[insomniac2k2]

After doing a bit of research and also speaking with one of their visiting reps at a LFS visit, I was sold. I have 2 on order. Condsidering a 3rd if things go well.

The fact that they are modified horticulture lights should be a bonus, not a caveat. They are already proven to grow things and do it well. It's not a far reach to assume that they have the money and resources to put in the necessary research to get the right spectrum and PAR. From what the rep was explaining, they have very stringent standards on their wafers. I cant remember exact numbers, but it was something like 30-40% are usuable for their Aquatic lamps.

Yes, i'll be one of the ones taking the leap, but doubt ill get burned. I've seen the results first hand at 2 LFS already.

Time will tell...

 

[Devaji108]

sweet do you know when they are going to be back in stock?

 

[insomniac2k2]

Thats the $64,000 question. They told most resellers "The end of last month". I hope soon...

 

[Devaji108]

you know at first i was not in to these lights b/c it was very hard to find the coverage/spread info on them, but with more looking it seams that most ppl say 24x24 I can live with that and why not it's really not that much coverage area...

i hope some ppl that got some with chime in with there feedback...
anyone know if there are dim able and if so how?

 

[insomniac2k2]

I do not believe they are dimmable. I recall reading that they werent at least...

 

[ehren78]

I see they have a new model coming out the A350? I'm waiting for that model, but the A150 sure does look sweet! Weighs less than a 1lb too! Not bad for $235

 

[Frick]

They are nice. I have been playing with the Ocean Blue (15K) and a Sky Blue (10K). All you have to know is it is the very first LED chip made for aquariums. Everything else was originally designed to do something else and rigged in to an aquarium fixture. The parent company DiCon is very large and makes similair chips for fiber-optic devices. They own the company, the manufacturing, marketing, etc.

This is also the first LED with a glass lense over the 21 diodes, allowing a majority of the usuable UV to get through. The shimmer is like no other LED or aquarium light for that fact. Once you see one in real life you will be hooked.

Took some PAR readings on a 29 Biocube. The 10k topped out at 2888 two inches from the diode. at surface and 6" away it was around 2000. Below the surface about halfway down the tank i got 400, in the sand it was a little over 100. Not bad. The company does not claim to be equivalent to a 150watt halide PAR.

The down side. Yeh... the release date it getting a little drawn out. I was told the end of July. There is only one attachment (the gooseneck) available sold separately and I am not sure if that will be ready the same time as the fixture. It can be hung by eye-hooks tho.

They are not dimmable either. But there is talk of the 350 model being so.

Some pics

The 15k over my 28 Nano. Looks more blue than it actually is.

 

[insomniac2k2]

Awesome. Someone that put a PAR meter on it! Would you happen to have the PAR readings for the 15k?

 

[insomniac2k2]

I dont even have coral in the outside 6" edges of my tank. I would imagine that most dont. If it a little dark there, just suplement with cheap (ebay special)low par LED lights. Thats what i would do at least...

24x24 is huge coverage for a LED light and in this price range.

you know at first i was not in to these lights b/c it was very hard to find the coverage/spread info on them, but with more looking it seams that most ppl say 24x24 I can live with that and why not it's really not that much coverage area...

i hope some ppl that got some with chime in with there feedback...
anyone know if there are dim able and if so how?

 

[nano mania]

I see they have a new model coming out the A350? I'm waiting for that model, but the A150 sure does look sweet! Weighs less than a 1lb too! Not bad for $235

Where did you see it for $235? I've only seen it for $265

 

[Frick]

Awesome. Someone that put a PAR meter on it! Would you happen to have the PAR readings for the 15k?

2" from light was 2100
surface was 450
mid-tank 120
sand bed 70

Less PAR for sure but the blue and UV mixture will favor alot of those hot deepwater corals. I am trying an Hollywood stunner under it. Looks amazing now, we'll see how she looks later.

Where did you see it for $235? I've only seen it for $265

Yes $265 should be the MAP (minimum advertised price) for this unit. The horticulture models will probably go for 235.

 

[Fryman]

I dont even have coral in the outside 6" edges of my tank. I would imagine that most dont. If it a little dark there, just suplement with cheap (ebay special)low par LED lights. Thats what i would do at least...

24x24 is huge coverage for a LED light and in this price range.

24x24 would be huge, but I'm very skeptical of that coverage. My LFS has one of the prototypes on a biocube. The shimmer is awesome, but there's no way I'd use it over 24x24" area. More like maybe 12-18".

I do think it's a great option for small tanks or to supplement. Maybe you could use a bunch of them for a large tank, but it'd be hard for wide tanks. You would have to accept dark areas, which isn't so bad actually depending on how the livestock is laid out. The shimmer was way cool, I'm seriously thinking about getting one or two as supplemental lighting just for that.

The guy at my LFS said they'd be available end of the month.

 

[Devaji108]

anyone know when the A350 will be available?

 

[insomniac2k2]

Thanks for the info.

2" from light was 2100
surface was 450
mid-tank 120
sand bed 70

Less PAR for sure but the blue and UV mixture will favor alot of those hot deepwater corals. I am trying an Hollywood stunner under it. Looks amazing now, we'll see how she looks later.



Yes $265 should be the MAP (minimum advertised price) for this unit. The horticulture models will probably go for 235.

 

[Devaji108]

Hey frick do you think that 2 would work over a 75 LPS softie men tank?

 

[Frick]

anyone know when the A350 will be available?

I hear from David at Kessil next year. The main reasons they are having such delays on the aquarium versions is because there is very high production on the horticulture models. Which I hope is a good sign. Good things will come with patients.

Hey frick do you think that 2 would work over a 75 LPS softie men tank?

It is hard to say. But if the rock work is simple I can see it being a good possibility.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Never mind the light, is that GSP you "trained" around the bottom of your tank. Nice job Frick!