AI Hydra 26 HD or Kessil A360?

[madweazl]

I've never had an A160 but the A80 will only produce about 105 PAR just below the water surface at max intensity.

 

[jsker]

Thanks

You are welcome

 

[FTLTim954]

I think I am going to try 2 160's and find a way to add T5s. I like the idea of a single 360 but I also agree it may cause shadowing.

 

[Scubasteve909]

ai but dang I love the shimmer from a kessil

 

[<*]]]<]

Take this opinion with a grain of salt since i am new to reef tanks, but the kessils i saw at a lfs in orlando were unimpressive. The light power and color were fine, but the shimmer was borderline seizure inducing. The blinking light effect is too much in my opinion.

 

[Midrats]

Easily remedied by reducing surface agitation.

 

[Peter K]

Take this opinion with a grain of salt since i am new to reef tanks, but the kessils i saw at a lfs in orlando were unimpressive. The light power and color were fine, but the shimmer was borderline seizure inducing. The blinking light effect is too much in my opinion.

That shimmer is only going to turn into a disco ball with multi colors with lights with wider led patterns, with that much surface agitation most LED's are going to be pretty rough. If you look at BRS' videos on the Kessils and other lights they test the ability of the Kessils to mix the spectrum with agitation and, in my opinion, the second to none color mixing is one of the primary reasons I went with the lights. But it all comes down to personal preference and what you are looking for in terms of shimmer or color blending.

 

[FTLTim954]

Just an update my girlfriend said she'd split the price of an AP700 with me so that's what I am going to get. Just out of curiosity is it going to be overkill or will it be a good idea?

 

[Cuong]

Nothing is considered overkill in this hobby.... Should be better than great. Besides, I'd rather run stronger lights at 30% than weaker lights at 100% long term. Expect to run ur intensity pretty low.

 

[<*]]]<]

Just an update my girlfriend said she'd split the price of an AP700 with me so that's what I am going to get. Just out of curiosity is it going to be overkill or will it be a good idea?

Consider putting a ring on that finger.......

 

[FTLTim954]

So I should pull the trigger and get the AP700 vs the single 360 or 2 160's?