Kessil vs radion

[ckalupa]

So I have a 525xl (5’x2’x2’ approx). 3 Kessil 360WE and ati 4 tube hybrid with 2 actinic+ and 2 blue +. With the t5 on and my kessil at 45% hue and 50% brightness I get 350 par in the top 1/4, 225-275 middle half and 175-190 bottom.

I am interested in the first reviews on the Red Sea 90’s though. I am timid on Hydras due to the bad reviews on BRS and frankly nobody seems happy with eco tech service attitude.

 

[Sarah24!]

[/QUOTE]

Hello,

This light will definitely be better than all of them and is cheaper. Great video found by another member lol. So need this light on my tanks.

 

[Jay Norris]

Hello,

This light will definitely be better than all of them and is cheaper. Great video found by another member lol. So need this light on my tanks.[/QUOTE]
What is the Kelvin rating, and how much heat do they put out?

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Well bright enough to wake the neighborhood and hot enough to make s’mores. May need to run the ac a tad more but just a tad.

 

[leroy_jenkinz]

I have two AP700, on my 6x2x2. As far as user friendly it’s amazing. The app is simple to use and easy to connect both lights. I have had them on my tank since August and while all my LPS have shown substantial growth, my SPS not so much. Now We all know lights aren’t the only thing that effects growth so I can’t knock the Kessils for slow growth but I can say I’m looking at adding t5s as I find the growth to be very slow.

 

[EJReef]

If you just go with Radions alone it will take a few to do a SPS tank. Kessil's are fine for soft corals or LPS but just do not have the punch to do SPS well alone.
Both lights benfit from adding T5's to the mix.

That's not true. The AP700 is powerful

 

[Nep2nzReef]

If you just go with Radions alone it will take a few to do a SPS tank. Kessil's are fine for soft corals or LPS but just do not have the punch to do SPS well alone.
Both lights benfit from adding T5's to the mix.

Don't know where this information originates but it's not at all accurate. I ran (2) of the 360 Tuna Blues alone over a 40 breeder I used as a frag tank and grew acros with NO supplemental lighting and this was with them mounted 24" above the water surface. The new full spectrum 360s should be even better. I now run (3) AP 700s over a 30" deep tank and am growing acros as well as an assortment of other sps corals very nicely, again no supplemental lighting. Measuring PAR with an Apogee MQ-510, getting 550-600 at 6" deep and 250 + at 22" deep, growing acros at both elevations. Lights are set at 65% peak intensity and hang 12" above the water surface (of course the further from center the lower the par which is true of all light sources). Kessils are definitely more set it and forget it. Set the timing for on/off/ramp, color and intensity at each set point and that's it. Set as many points as you care to program in.

I have never used Radions but have a friend that uses the Gen 4's and has an awesome looking tank. Lots of acros, all growing very nicely as well. He does utilize t5s to supplement but I believe more by choice than necessity.

Based on the results we both have had with these (2) different lights, I'd say you can't go wrong with either. Choose based on looks, price, whatever floats your boat, but both will get the job done equally well.

It seems to me that we tend to lean towards what we have the most experience with. Very few people have the opportunity (or funds) to have used every option available (Dana maybe comes closest). If I were to get into a new build I'd be looking at both of these myself, maybe even a few more that have come on the market recently. Fact is I'd probably buy Kessils again because I'm happy with the results they've provided to date.

 

[Terry4505]

For me, Kessils with T5 supplement is the best option. I've had Radion, Hydra and A360-We's. Currently running A360-X.

Just shot this yesterday:

 

[Jeight]

I run 2x hydra 26's and 4x t5s ..I would say if you must have the kessil shimmer throw one in the mix but you're comparing apples to oranges IMO.

 

[fabutahoun]

Radion forever !!!

 

[John3]

Having daily access to 2 tanks one running kessils and one running the Radion, the Radion provides much better coloration and growth has also been much better. This is for mostly lps with some sps.

 

[dadnjesse]

That's not true. The AP700 is powerful

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-ratings-ai-ecotech-kessil-maxspect-etc.579804/

 

[robert]

I have 5xKessil AP700 and 2x400W Radiums on a 3'x3'x8'.
Kessils are for viewing - Radiums for growing.

I use Kessils for the ramp up and down and only run the Radium for the peak hours.
Just the opinion of an old reefer - metal halides still grow the best but I do like the color/blend, shimmer and control provided by the Kessils.
I have multiple independent groups set up so every zone under the Kessils is tailored to the corals under it.

If your going the hybrid route - then pick your LEDs more on aesthetics and features than power alone.

 

[rcpalmer1]

I think I might be in the minority. I don't understand why everyone loves radions. I have a tank with a kessil ap700 for almost two years. I got another tank. I bought hybrid kits for both and Radions for the new tank. When I got a par meter I was so disappointed. I selected the AB+ on the Radions. I don't remember the exact number but at 100% intensity they only run at like 60% power. They put out less par than the t5. The kessil put out way more par when running them blue. On the kessil color wheel to change to a deeper blue I only would lose about 10 par each. I had to add in white and yellows just to try and get a little more par on the Radions. I was wondering what all the hype was about. I found out it was all about name brand not function in my opinion.

 

[Nep2nzReef]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/lighting-ratings-ai-ecotech-kessil-maxspect-etc.579804/

I'm afraid I can't put much stock in these readings. I also have an Apogee PAR meter and am getting completely different (higher) readings. Granted, I'm running multiple lights that provide for overlap.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...-led-light-a-great-option-for-sps-reef-tanks/

This would seem to be a good independent/scientific means for measuring PAR ratings for a single AP700.

 

[ecamden]

As someone here said, happy wife happy life. Went with 3 kessil ap700s. I know in a few years I'll probably have to add t5 but for now I'm happy with them. Running at 50% until I get a par meter in. 9 inches off the top of tank. Once I get par numbers I'll update. Thank you everyone for your insight!

 

[Jay Norris]

I have 5xKessil AP700 and 2x400W Radiums on a 3'x3'x8'.
Kessils are for viewing - Radiums for growing.

I use Kessils for the ramp up and down and only run the Radium for the peak hours.
Just the opinion of an old reefer - metal halides still grow the best but I do like the color/blend, shimmer and control provided by the Kessils.
I have multiple independent groups set up so every zone under the Kessils is tailored to the corals under it.

If your going the hybrid route - then pick your LEDs more on aesthetics and features than power alone.

I would of went with the Mitra LX 7206 lights instead of combining the two, this way you get the best of both worlds with one light source.

 

[Karliefish]

Definitely on my radar. I'm running ghl mitras 6200 now but one of them is starting to flicker. I do like the reef breeders however I have to make the wife happy too and she's narrowed it down to the kessil and radion.

curious to know if you are still using your Mitras or swapped them out. I'm debating between the Kessil A360x versus Mitras 7206's. Curious to know what you thought about Mitras quality and customer support?