MaxSpec Razor vs Kessil vs Hydra

cor4eyh · Jun 12, 2015

I'm considering a new light. Currently I have an every grow it2040. I'd like something controllable via apex and that will look amazing.

Just wondering if you guys have thoughts on what you LIKE better. I am posting this knowing all of them are in a realm of the same quality but each has its perks.

Shep · Jun 13, 2015

I love Kessil because of how sleek and unique of a design it has, I think they really help make a tank look nice.

Eckolancer · Jun 13, 2015

I have played with DIYs for about 8-10 years now. Last year I switched to kessils and love them for the look and colors I get from my corals.

cor4eyh · Jun 13, 2015

Shep said:
I love Kessil because of how sleek and unique of a design it has, I think they really help make a tank look nice.

That's the reason I really am considering the Kessil!

Lynn52 · Jun 13, 2015

I love my Kessils

Fishphi784 · Jun 13, 2015

I have used the maxspect with LPS/SPS and was somewhat disappointed. The tanks looked great under 80% intensity. Anything higher and the tank appeared anything but the 16k it was indicated to be. It looked 8k-10k. More importantly, much of my SPS turned green. This is anecdotal, but others have experienced the same phenomenon. I have since upgraded to radions which has drastically improved coloration, but wish I opted for a t5/kessil combo to get the shimmer. The shimmer of the kessil is amazing. Hope that helps..

cor4eyh · Jun 13, 2015

So majority rules in favor of Kessil I dig their sleek design

Shallow Planet · Jun 14, 2015

I also loved my Kessils 350s and the new 360s are even better.

menglish · Jun 14, 2015

I had 2 16k razor on my 90G mix. My lps are really doing well. I just have a few pieces of sps and they are not doing that well. Can't really say it is a light problem yet.
I really do like the lights.
I have also been testing a controller for them that works from your smart phone. I am really liking it so far. More to come on this later
What is nice about the razor, you do not need an apex to control them. Use that EB8 slot for something else.

hart24601 · Jun 15, 2015

I think they all grow great coral. To get the PAR I want in the tank (350-400 mid level across the tank with no hotspots or dropping off much at edges) I have to use quite a few fixtures. The Hydra has IMO the best looking option to use multiple fixtures over my tank. I am running 5 hydra 26s with the classic rail hanging kit - so only 2 wires from ceiling. I don't know how I could have gotten that many other fixtures over the tank and have it look clean. I can also move the hydras on the rail mount if I want them in another spot without messing with the mount and they are all controlled with the director. It's a nice option to have.

WetWhistle · Jun 15, 2015

I have both the Maxspect and Hydra 52. The Maxspect are good all around lights but on a larger tank they will not grow or color sps as well as you want without supplemental lighting. They do color LPS and soft corals very well. I started them on my 180 but were not as blue as I wanted and the colors did not look right on my SPS. If I turned the white channel down to make it more blue it was not enough intensity for some of my SPS corals. I put the MaxSpect on my 65 gallon frag tank and they work great on that size of tank. Good growth and color and the hardware itself is very clean looking.

I upgraded to my Hydra 52 and once I got them tuned in they grow and color anything I put under them. I love these lights.

chaoha · Jun 15, 2015

Just put 2 Kessel A360W with the controller on my 75. LPS softies and SPS love them with one exception my Acans. The shimmer is the best I've ever seen

BkReefBaby · Jun 15, 2015

I have a kessil a360we love the way it makes my tank look the LPS love it as for as the SPS the growth is extremely slow for me....don't know about anyone else

menglish · Jun 15, 2015

WetWhistle,
I am curious to know what was your lighting program on your 180 when using the razor? I am in the process of building a 180, this weekend, and will be running 16k razors. I do plan to supplement with 2 T5s.

scardall · Jun 15, 2015

What ever lighting you choose Consider PUR More Important than PAR PERIOD. Choose Kessils or AquaRays (http://americanaquariumproducts.com/) * Not Ecotech/Radions (2nd to the others mentioned.) high par LOWER PUR .

PUR is important to the Corals you want to grow etc. PAR is Important to those where looks are more important than Coral's complete health. (#) Research Data on this site as well Note: alittle fun to navaigate, but well worth it. I have 2 Aquabeam 1500 NP's 20K and my SPS look healthy

WetWhistle · Jun 16, 2015

menglish said:
WetWhistle,
I am curious to know what was your lighting program on your 180 when using the razor? I am in the process of building a 180, this weekend, and will be running 16k razors. I do plan to supplement with 2 T5s.

Mine are the 10,000 K lights and when they were on my main tank I kept them on for 12 hrs. (manual setting) 100% for the blue channel and 70% white. On my frag tank I run 100% blue and 55% white.

If you are running supplemental t5 like you plan I think you could bump the white up to 80% or possibly higher. Slowly of course. I have a friend that runs them at 90% with supplemental lighting and his corals color up and grow great.

Mattrg02 · Jun 20, 2015

I've got a single kessil 160 on a gooseneck over my 17 gallon rimless reef. It's quite a lot of light!

AdamNC · Jun 20, 2015

Using a Maxspect R420R 16k over my 29 gallon standard at it's peak for 7 hours a day at Ch1 65% Ch2 90%. My SPS are thriving very well. Birdsnest are getting fragged constantly, Acro are steady growing (nothing crazy but not bleaching, browning or dying) and my Zoas and LPS seem to respond to them nicely also.