Keep Kessils or go with hydras???

[Reefcowboy]

Owned both and Hydras are better lights IMO. You will still get some shadowing if that is your reason for switching. I had three 26's over a 36"x18"x20" which is overkill and still added T5's later which improved lots. Cluster type leds have this problem, and getting good spread without shadowing costs a pretty dime due to multiple fixtures needed.
I run today a different type of LED that blows both of them out of the water, but thats away from the topic. Color was great with the Hydras which i enjoyed.

 

[Chrisfish]

I run 4 x Hyrda 26s (not HDs I may add) Plus a 4' Enhancing Royal Blue LED Lighting Bar.

Beautiful tank!!

 

[Chrisfish]

Owned both and Hydras are better lights IMO. You will still get some shadowing if that is your reason for switching. I had three 26's over a 36"x18"x20" which is overkill and still added T5's later which improved lots. Cluster type leds have this problem, and getting good spread without shadowing costs a pretty dime due to multiple fixtures needed.
I run today a different type of LED that blows both of them out of the water, but thats away from the topic. Color was great with the Hydras which i enjoyed.

Really awesome tank, do you mind me asking what set up you have( tank wise) and do you have a thread? Don't want to hijack ops thread :)

 

[Reefcowboy]

Really awesome tank, do you mind me asking what set up you have( tank wise) and do you have a thread? Don't want to hijack ops thread :)

Thank you, unfortunately this tank was broken down due to a move:(
I dont think I had a thread either(regreting). It was a nice setup, and although sps corals didnt grow as much, color was incredibly nice. Some corals, like Strawberry shortcake colored in ways I was never able to replicate with my MH's, which I ran later. I dont take anything away from Kessils, they are also great lights also.
Some close up pics

 

[Chrisfish]

Thank you, unfortunately this tank was broken down due to a move:(
I dont think I had a thread either(regreting). It was a nice setup, and although sps corals didnt grow as much, color was incredibly nice. Some corals, like Strawberry shortcake colored in ways I was never able to replicate with my MH's, which I ran later. I dont take anything away from Kessils, they are also great lights also.
Some close up pics

Thanks for the reply again awesome tank

 

[ifarmer]

I would say add a third Kessil to add some additional light and avoid shadows. I grew everything including sps with three Kessil A360WE on a 72" tank that's only 21" tall. I eventually added T5 lights to avoid shadowing, but the Kessils weren't bad. I added a couple pictures below of my tank under only Kessils. The tank was only five months old in this pic, so most corals are still small. I have never used the Hydras, so I can't compare.

Can i see your tank photo? I am still using t5 and i am a big fan of sps.
Thanks

 

[ifarmer]

Thanks for the reply again awesome tank

Nicet and great color. What do you run on your tank? Just 3 hydra 26?

 

[BigJim]

Here are some tank shots with three Kessils A360WE and four 60" T5s. These are from July but I don't have more recent full tank shots.

 

[steevareno]

I've had both lights with ati t5. If you prefer the shimmer stick with the kessils. If you want a better color spectrum and higher par go with the hydras. Wish I has room for both!

 

[Reefcowboy]

I've had both lights with ati t5. If you prefer the shimmer stick with the kessils. If you want a better color spectrum and higher par go with the hydras. Wish I has room for both!

Beautiful!!

 

[steevareno]

Ty!

 

[Geno]

That's super nice
That's exactly what I'd like to achieve. The vibrant colors and the growth. I do understand that other factors come into play. Do you those anything? I've been dosing for a week now reef energy and reef coral colors both from Red Sea. Manually....

I use "Fuel" to help with coral growth and I try not to dose calcium and alk if I can help it. I also use remediation and do very regular water changes and maintenance. And thank you

 

[427HISS]

Shouldn't two 350 wide spread,..... Kessils cover a 4' long tank well, even a 120g ?

 

[reeftank220master]

I run three hydra 52's HD over my 220.

Hi,would you happen to have a pic of your tank with those hydra's ?
I have kessil 360's on my 220 and would like to see how your tank looks with hydra's if thats ok please.

 

[reeftank220master]

hello
I currently have kessil 2 360 we
But I've been told that hydras are better lights all around. I've been thinking of switching to them. Any thoughts??
I currently have a Red Sea reefer 350 4 feet long
Thanks

I have kessil on my 220 and I think there lights are pretty dang good.I just wish they illuminated a wider pattern but I'm a kessil fan nonetheless

 

[reeftank220master]

Hi,would you happen to have a pic of your tank with those hydra's ?
I have kessil 360's on my 220 and would like to see how your tank looks with hydra's if thats ok please.

Sorry I'm an idiot! I just looked at your pic of your 220 with the hydra's and it's fantastic!

 

[themcnertney]

Hi,would you happen to have a pic of your tank with those hydra's ?
I have kessil 360's on my 220 and would like to see how your tank looks with hydra's if thats ok please.

 

[iReefer]

For kessil, nothing out there cant beat the natural shimmering that it provided (except mh) the only Down fall that I have experienced with it is the intensity, I personally believe that they ain't bright at all and a lil dim for my taste unless you have more that what the manufacturer suggested. For example in your case I would go 3 instead of 2 and supplement it with 2 t5 like the other reefer has suggested. With that you will fill in the missing puzzle.
But if u were compare 1 to 1 like swapping them with 2 hydra then ofcourse the hydra is a better choice only if you aren't adding more lighting to your Set up and if power consumption is the concern.

 

[427HISS]

It would be very interesting for you guys that have either the Kessil and hydra, to measure your Par levels (with the same tool) rather than each manufacturer's test.

 

[zoomonster]

Hydra's are not bad but not so sure any better than Kessil. I have 5 Kessil A360WE's and if I upgrade the next would be the new Radion's or some T5/LED hybrid. Everyone always says Radions's are too expensive but... One Radion G4 Pro is the equivalent of two Kessil A360WE's with a bit more wattage. So effectively the price of Radeon G4 Pro (2 pucks) is the same as Kessil (1 puck) with one Radion replacing two Kessil's.