AI Hydra or Kessil 360W; Do I really need lightning and clouds...

[Budes45]

I have narrowed down my search to the Hydra and was about to pull the trigger on the purchase, then I heard about the Kessil 360 and saw them first hand and was very impressed. If the Kessil's had a controller to ramp up and down to mimic sun rise and sunset it would be a done deal, and a $500 Apex controller is not an option.

I have a 120 (2'x2'x4') and I currently keep LPS and will be getting back in to SPS (gave them all away before I moved last year) in the near future. I like the control of the Hydra but some of the features seem like a gimmick rather than a need, so please share your thoughts Hydra or Kessil???

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Adam

 

[bigcapct]

I put 2 hydras on my 120g 48x24 a couple weeks ago. I gotta say they are sweet ! Just set the controlls how you want and you never have to touch the lights again That was a BIG plus for me I'm considering adding one more hydra also

 

[reefingnoob]

You don't need an Apex controller for sunrise and sunset any 0-10 dimmer such as (meanwell led dimmer) would work. However you have a very unique tank as it is 4' top to bottom so non of the lights you mentioned above will give you good penetration if you go with single unit.

50g cadlights artisan cube with Vertex Illumina LED

 

[Budes45]

4x2x2 sorry for the confusion

 

[reefingnoob]

Aaha! Much more manageable but you still need two!

50g cadlights artisan cube with Vertex Illumina LED

 

[DO NOT PM]

Budes45, if you have any questions regarding the Hydra you are more than welcomed to call me to discuss them at 515-233-5105 ex 108.

bigcapct, thank you for the kind words!

 

[Budes45]

Thanks for all the input, now you all will think I'm crazy, looking at a DIY from Rapid LED and like the idea and at close to half the price. With how this is all advancing and still relatively new technology I may just go with the DIY for now and will have an easier time upgrading in a few years with less of an investment and from my first impression same quality, thoughts?

 

[reefingnoob]

If you can DIY then its bullet proof. No one will call you crazy for that. If need any help hit up jedimasterben or Ron reefman. two really good guys willing to share there LED lighting knowledge

50g cadlights artisan cube with Vertex Illumina LED

 

[bigcapct]

Did u get a light yet?

 

[Budes45]

I'm in the process of a DIY build. Two Lumia 5.1 Multi chip LEDs. I'll post when finished. Thanks for asking