AI Hydra 26 or Kessil a360W-E

[PeterG]

Hi All,

I know this question has been asked before but I'm interested in hearing some fresh perspectives:

I’m new to reefing having “inherited” a 90 gal tank from a friend who was doing a lifestyle downsizing. I had a lfs guy move it to my house and set it up. I bought a new stand from him as well as a Current Orbit LED light. I’m only now finding out it’s not really suitable for a reef tank and I’m replacing it. I’ve narrowed my choices down to either 2 Kessil a360W-E or two AI Hydra 26 fixtures.

I like the simplicity of the Kessils but also the flexibility on the Hydras. One concern about the Hydras is that my tank is rimmed and I’ve read mixed reviews on the mounting options for them. I don’t want to hang the lights from the ceiling and am not crazy about the look of the mounting rail kit that runs across the whole tank. The Kessils have a nice clean simple gooseneck mounting option.

BUT I’ve also read that the Kessils might be too focused and that two of them would not provide enough light for a 48” tank. Using three lights would not work as there is a center support on this tank.

What do you folks think; Hydra 26s or the Kessil a360W-E ?

 

[shaggydoo]

I love my hydra 26, and you can get a gooseneck mount for them now. Mine has the flexible mount and it looks really sharp. The thing I like the most is the AI app which is simple yet customizable.

 

[jsker]

I like my Hydra 26 HD's and at first used the Kessil mounts. I was on the fence on both and I am happy the direction I went

I had to do some modification to the rim but they worked.
Last weekend I installed the AI HMS and really like the clean look

I also used a .25inch piece of acrylic between the inside tank glass to brace the inside mount.

 

[PeterG]

I love my hydra 26, and you can get a gooseneck mount for them now. Mine has the flexible mount and it looks really sharp. The thing I like the most is the AI app which is simple yet customizable.

Thanks Shaggy, Did you mount the gooseneck on a rimmed tank? Comments on BSR not very positive regarding that mount. My LFS guy did a demo with the MyAI software. Vert cool!!

 

[PeterG]

I like my Hydra 26 HD's and at first used the Kessil mounts. I was on the fence on both and I am happy the direction I went
I had to do some modification to the rim but they worked.
Last weekend I installed the AI HMS and really like the clean look
I also used a .25inch piece of acrylic between the inside tank glass to brace the inside mount.

My tank has a rim similar to yours. Did you have to cut out a section? If so, what type of tool?

 

[Chris Wells]

Here is a 90g just cycling yesterday with 2 hydra 26. Not a great pic, but you get the gist of it. I used the rails to be able to add a 3rd later when serious about corals.
Also, one when adding salt.

 

[PeterG]

Here is a 90g just cycling yesterday with 2 hydra 26. Not a great pic, but you get the gist of it. I used the rails to be able to add a 3rd later when serious about corals.
Also, one when adding salt.

You think a third light will be necessary? How high off the surface are yours mounted?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Im a big kessil fan so kessil gets my vote. An A360WE should be able to cover that footprint of 24 inches each. What types of corals are you primarily looking to keep? If you're going SPS dominant you'll definitely need a third light in there somewhere. If you're going softies and LPS and some SPS (directly under the light source) two kessils should would work perfectly.

 

[Chris Wells]

You think a third light will be necessary? How high off the surface are yours mounted?

They are 13" off of water now, but can be lowered a few more. I am so new to saltwater, I have had several opinions on the third. So I planned to be able to add 1 later if needed. From all of the reading I have been doing, I think 2 should be fine for the most part. I am going to get PAR readings at some point to have a more informed approach. I will then reach out to the folks on the forum with years of coral experience to advise.
Right now I am learning how to cycle a tank...lol

 

[RyanCSGO]

both are great lights
if you want more of a "plug n play" then go Kessil
if you like having more control then go Hydra 26HD

personally, i like the fact the 26HD has two pucks and that you can control each spectrum. you can set 24 points in the schedule, where kessil you can only set 7 (unless this recently changed)
(i have owned both lights)

 

[Chef Patrick]

Hi All,

I know this question has been asked before but I'm interested in hearing some fresh perspectives:

I’m new to reefing having “inherited” a 90 gal tank from a friend who was doing a lifestyle downsizing. I had a lfs guy move it to my house and set it up. I bought a new stand from him as well as a Current Orbit LED light. I’m only now finding out it’s not really suitable for a reef tank and I’m replacing it. I’ve narrowed my choices down to either 2 Kessil a360W-E or two AI Hydra 26 fixtures.

I like the simplicity of the Kessils but also the flexibility on the Hydras. One concern about the Hydras is that my tank is rimmed and I’ve read mixed reviews on the mounting options for them. I don’t want to hang the lights from the ceiling and am not crazy about the look of the mounting rail kit that runs across the whole tank. The Kessils have a nice clean simple gooseneck mounting option.

BUT I’ve also read that the Kessils might be too focused and that two of them would not provide enough light for a 48” tank. Using three lights would not work as there is a center support on this tank.

What do you folks think; Hydra 26s or the Kessil a360W-E ?

I love my Hydras 26 I have 4 of them for my 300 gallon tank I would recommend

 

[shaggydoo]

Thanks Shaggy, Did you mount the gooseneck on a rimmed tank? Comments on BSR not very positive regarding that mount. My LFS guy did a demo with the MyAI software. Vert cool!!

I mounted on a rimless tank. Have not tried on a rimmed tank, so can't speak to how well it works on that. Works great on rimless.

 

[RyanCSGO]

I have both my lights mounted with this style
little more expensive but provide a nice clean look and works perfectly with rimmed and euro-braced tanks.

 

[jsker]

My tank has a rim similar to yours. Did you have to cut out a section? If so, what type of tool?

Yes on the inside with a razor knife, very carefully. The plastic is pretty soft and I used pressure with a slight saw motion.

 

[PeterG]

Yes on the inside with a razor knife, very carefully. The plastic is pretty soft and I used pressure with a slight saw motion.

So you cut a notch the width of the mounting bracket back so it's fluch with the inside of the glass?

 

[jsker]

So you cut a notch the width of the mounting bracket back so it's fluch with the inside of the glass?

Yes and no on my tank. I cut a notch for the bracket and I still had a 1/4 of an inch gap. This is were I used the 1/4 inch acrylic piece to fill the gap.

 

[Chris Wells]

So you cut a notch the width of the mounting bracket back so it's fluch with the inside of the glass?

I was confused at first when you guys were talking about notching, cause I didn't have to. It looks like my rail system is different. I suppose it is because the top rail creates the width.

 

[PeterG]

Yes and no on my tank. I cut a notch for the bracket and I still had a 1/4 of an inch gap. This is were I used the 1/4 inch acrylic piece to fill the gap.

Thanks jsker, This last photo is very helpful.

Thanks Chris, it looks like you are using the EXT mount; much more versatile, especially for a third light addition.

 

[Phillyd1990]

Yes and no on my tank. I cut a notch for the bracket and I still had a 1/4 of an inch gap. This is were I used the 1/4 inch acrylic piece to fill the gap.

I did this exact same then with my old 55 which was rimmed. Just made a notch so the mount could grip tight to the glass. Ive really enjoyed my hydras and the controlability is great.

 

[Cherub]

hydra all the way. their new mounting system is great too. I'm not a huge fan of the app though. i had the old hydras before and used their director to control and that had way more functionality then the new app. The app feels like something they slapped together to be the first with builtin wifi. The built in wifi also kicks you off your house wifi and you have to remember to reconnect. Not sure why they did it that way... but the lights are awesome and you can have any corals. Kessil I've heard you can and cannot keep sps. Depends on who you ask.