Kessil or AI?

[OneFish]

I have read a few different threads with this discussion, but wanted to get "up to date" opinions.

Currently running two a160we's with controller over an 18"x18" cube. I have a mixed reef but I am slowly acquiring higher end SPS which I hope to have success with. Not having any problems currently, though I do have a few SPS that seem to be "stalled" in their growth. No color loss, just not growing. A few zoas on my bottom glass seem to have lost a little color compared to when I first got them, but they do grow like crazy, so I bumped up the intensity and lowered the color to see if this helps.

I am debating on switching over to either two AI primes or one AI hydra 26 for a few reasons:
1) I do not like having to take up 3 outlets for my current lighting setup (two for the lights and one for the controller)
2) I really think that most equipment nowadays should have smart phone capability
3) I am not a huge fan of the way the kessils look compared to other streamline fixtures
4) I could use more than the 5 or 6 time periods the kessil spectral controller allows (I am trying multiple peaks and drops in intensity and color and the kessil controller only allows me to fit in 2 peaks)
5) I would like to have a 1% moon light for times of the day that I am home but do not want the corals to be stimulated yet (kessil only allows increments of 5%)

My only concerns with switching to a one fixture setup is that there will be increased shadowing. My kessils right now are currently spaced pretty well apart and that is something I would have to sacrifice if I switch to the hydra 26.

I am also considering getting the new Apex, but that would be a ways out, but would allow me to control the kessils with my phone (I think?).

Another option that I like is the 16" Reefbreeder's photon v2 (or whatever the new one is). I know this isn't wifi controllable (upsetting) but it does look pretty sleek and shadowing would not be an issue.

The ultimate light for me would be either a Radion or, ideally, an Orphek, but right now, those do not seem like feasible options.

I also currently have an Icecap 1k gyre that seems to be doing well though it does seem to collect a lot more detritus the propeller housing than previous wavemakers. If I went in the AI route, I would probably get the Nero 5 to have the same type of smartphone control on the same app.

 

[Montiman]

I am a big kessil fan but it seems that all of the things you complain about are what I like. I have kessils and T5s on my main reef and I have considered taking them off of the APEX because I see no reason to have smart phone control. The more I mess with my settings the more problems I have and the phone app invites change.

I love the shimmer and simplicity of the Kessils. I find them more attractive in the tank with less disco which is more important to me than the external appearance. I find that once the 3 plugs are plugged in I forget about them.

If you must have 1 plug, a low profile fixture and moon light the 360X has all of that but I honestly simply don’t value those features as much as good looking healthy corals. The best upgrade to my kessils was t5s and I bet you will be happier putting the 160s in an aquatic life hybrid than buying a new LED. This is all based on the goal being beautiful healthy corals if your goal is a cool looking fixture with a fun app maybe get an AI but that isn’t my goal.

 

[Michael Naegeli]

Nice lookin Reef... I have a 26hd on my 39 gal and does great w mixed Reef I actually just threw on a 160 tuna blue w it to supplement directly over Sps.. for sure makes a difference, but to be honest the 26hd was more than enough for all corals

 

[OneFish]

I am a big kessil fan but it seems that all of the things you complain about are what I like. I have kessils and T5s on my main reef and I have considered taking them off of the APEX because I see no reason to have smart phone control. The more I mess with my settings the more problems I have and the phone app invites change.

I love the shimmer and simplicity of the Kessils. I find them more attractive in the tank with less disco which is more important to me than the external appearance. I find that once the 3 plugs are plugged in I forget about them.

If you must have 1 plug, a low profile fixture and moon light the 360X has all of that but I honestly simply don’t value those features as much as good looking healthy corals. The best upgrade to my kessils was t5s and I bet you will be happier putting the 160s in an aquatic life hybrid than buying a new LED. This is all based on the goal being beautiful healthy corals if your goal is a cool looking fixture with a fun app maybe get an AI but that isn’t my goal.

I would love to get the T5 hybrid, but my tank is only 18” across so that makes pretty much any T5 impossible.

Obviously, the main goal is great coral color and growth. I don’t think that switching to another top LED brand is implying that I care more about equipment appearance than coral health.

 

[Mical]

+1 on Kessil bandwagon. Question for you 1Fish - why the dip in the middle of your schedule? Here is mine via Apex

 

[Montiman]

I would love to get the T5 hybrid, but my tank is only 18” across so that makes pretty much any T5 impossible.

Obviously, the main goal is great coral color and growth. I don’t think that switching to another top LED brand is implying that I care more about equipment appearance than coral health.

I apologize if I sound acusitory. It just seems to me that most of your reasons for switching are things like WiFi control, moon light, more setpoints, esthetics. It is fine if you value these things and that is why you want to switch but to me you have one nice light now and generally change will always set you back coral health wise. I would leave it be.

 

[adrianr514]

I apologize if I sound acusitory. It just seems to me that most of your reasons for switching are things like WiFi control, moon light, more setpoints, esthetics. It is fine if you value these things and that is why you want to switch but to me you have one nice light now and generally change will always set you back coral health wise. I would leave it be.

He can always just add the third light and slowly ramp it up over time while keeping his currently lighting and then slowly go off the old lighting that way the corals acclimate to the light a lot easier than a quick switch.

 

[OneFish]

+1 on Kessil bandwagon. Question for you 1Fish - why the dip in the middle of your schedule? Here is mine via Apex

I can’t remember where or when I saw it, so don’t take any of this to heart, but I thought I read that corals can benefit if you have a few growth periods throughout the day with drops to let the corals rest for a bit in between. I literally just changed to that setting yesterday so we will see how it goes!

 

[Dana Riddle]

I have read a few different threads with this discussion, but wanted to get "up to date" opinions.

Currently running two a160we's with controller over an 18"x18" cube. I have a mixed reef but I am slowly acquiring higher end SPS which I hope to have success with. Not having any problems currently, though I do have a few SPS that seem to be "stalled" in their growth. No color loss, just not growing. A few zoas on my bottom glass seem to have lost a little color compared to when I first got them, but they do grow like crazy, so I bumped up the intensity and lowered the color to see if this helps.

I am debating on switching over to either two AI primes or one AI hydra 26 for a few reasons:
1) I do not like having to take up 3 outlets for my current lighting setup (two for the lights and one for the controller)
2) I really think that most equipment nowadays should have smart phone capability
3) I am not a huge fan of the way the kessils look compared to other streamline fixtures
4) I could use more than the 5 or 6 time periods the kessil spectral controller allows (I am trying multiple peaks and drops in intensity and color and the kessil controller only allows me to fit in 2 peaks)
5) I would like to have a 1% moon light for times of the day that I am home but do not want the corals to be stimulated yet (kessil only allows increments of 5%)

My only concerns with switching to a one fixture setup is that there will be increased shadowing. My kessils right now are currently spaced pretty well apart and that is something I would have to sacrifice if I switch to the hydra 26.

I am also considering getting the new Apex, but that would be a ways out, but would allow me to control the kessils with my phone (I think?).

Another option that I like is the 16" Reefbreeder's photon v2 (or whatever the new one is). I know this isn't wifi controllable (upsetting) but it does look pretty sleek and shadowing would not be an issue.

The ultimate light for me would be either a Radion or, ideally, an Orphek, but right now, those do not seem like feasible options.

I also currently have an Icecap 1k gyre that seems to be doing well though it does seem to collect a lot more detritus the propeller housing than previous wavemakers. If I went in the AI route, I would probably get the Nero 5 to have the same type of smartphone control on the same app.

I think your tank (and corals) look great. If it were me, I wouldn't change a thing. As a side note, many SPS corals contain zoox species or clades that are 'weedy' and don't require as much light as some of the soft corals. SPS coloration is another discussion altogether and lighting, in many cases, should be intense.