AI prime vs. Kessil vs. Eco-Tech?

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

I can't really decide on what kind of lights to put over a 52 gallon bowfront. Its LPS dominant (torches, bubble corals, chalices, gonis) with roughly 8 smaller sized fish inhabitants.

(Flow has also been a struggle, due to the bowfront shape.)

What are the pros and cons of these 3 lights, and what is everyone's main preference, disregarding the prices?

billyocean · Jul 30, 2023

Ai has the best app and is a great light IMO, radion is a great light but pricey, Kessil has the best shimmer in the game but not as good of a standalone light. There are other options as well

Seansea · Jul 30, 2023

billyocean said:
Ai has the best app and is a great IMO, radion is a great light but pricey, Kessil has the best shimmer in the game but not as good of a standalone light. There are other options as well

Pretty much nailed it

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

billyocean said:
Ai has the best app and is a great IMO, radion is a great light but pricey, Kessil has the best shimmer in the game but not as good of a standalone light. There are other options as well

that's exactly what i was told about kessil— they're all about that aesthetic shimmer. but is there actual function and purpose to that light, at all? or is it just that they can provide that wavy "shimmering"?

billyocean · Jul 30, 2023

Big Chief Reef said:
that's exactly what i was told about kessil— they're all about that aesthetic shimmer. but is there actual function and purpose to that light, at all? or is it just that they can provide that wavy "shimmering"?

Plenty of people have success with them whether they get more or add bars or other supplemental light.

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

Seansea said:
Pretty much nailed it

i agree 100%.

ecotech is pretty dang pricey, but so isnt kessil? i think ai primes might be the most "budget friendly", if there is such a thing? lol.

billyocean · Jul 30, 2023

Reefi 2.0 beats them all.

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

billyocean said:
Plenty of people have success with them whether they get more or add bars or other supplemental light.

ahhhh... okay, okay.
but if im working with a 52 gallon bowfront, the space above is slightly limited, what could i get and NOT have to also get additional, supplemental bars/lights? you know what im saying?

what could i get, and that be enough to adequately light the tank with correct PAR, and whatnot?

Tuan’s Reef · Jul 30, 2023

AI - middle of the road LED.
Pros - good app , affordable, lots of options
Cons- disco ball effect , lens don’t last long if running at 100% but can be replaced

Kessil- premium LED at premium prices
Pros - great shimmer, great spectrum
Cons- expensive , weak output so you’ll need to get more for coverage

Radions- Goldilocks of LED
Pros - great coverage and spectrum with proven results , reliable , great app
Cons - expensive

afrokobe · Jul 30, 2023

billyocean said:
Reefi 2.0 beats them all.

second this. Kessil lacks the blue punch. Eco tech is overpriced. Reefis are all you need. Quanta bars are great too if you need some supplemental lighting

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

Tuan’s Reef said:
AI - middle of the road LED.
Pros - good app , affordable, lots of options
Cons- disco ball effect , lens don’t last long if running at 100% but can be replaced

Kessil- premium LED at premium prices
Pros - great shimmer, great spectrum
Cons- expensive , weak output so you’ll need to get more for coverage

Radions- Goldilocks of LED
Pros - great coverage and spectrum with proven results , reliable , great app
Cons - expensive

awesome, awesome!
THANK YOU for that break down. i literally just took a screen shot of your reply. lol. i really appreciate that input, so much!

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

afrokobe said:
second this. Kessil lacks the blue punch. Eco tech is overpriced. Reefis are all you need. Quanta bars are great too if you need some supplemental lighting

ive actually not heard of reefis?
what's the price point on those?

afrokobe · Jul 30, 2023

Big Chief Reef said:
ive actually not heard of reefis?
what's the price point on those?

they are $480 and comparable to a xr30 with more power.

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

afrokobe said:
they are $480 and comparable to a xr30 with more power.

wow... so those are still pretty pricey, as well? hmmmm... ill definitely look into those, though.

thank you millions for your input! im so indecisive and am always looking for the most "bang for my buck". lol.

billyocean · Jul 30, 2023

Mid end best bang for your buck might be a noopsyche...higher end best bang for your buck is reefi.

rtparty · Jul 30, 2023

Couple AI Blades and you’re done. Super simple, easy, proven results, multiple mounting options, hard to screw up, proven company with great customer service.

Video of mine in my build thread

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

rtparty said:
Couple AI Blades and you’re done. Super simple, easy, proven results, multiple mounting options, hard to screw up, proven company with great customer service.

Video of mine in my build thread

i was actually just looking at those ai blades! but will they put out enough par and power to be stand alone lights for a 20" deep, LPS tank?

i really love the sleek look of those blades, and the price point is definitely much friendlier than the aforementioned. lol.

rtparty · Jul 30, 2023

Big Chief Reef said:
i was actually just looking at those ai blades! but will they put out enough par and power to be stand alone lights for a 20" deep, LPS tank?

i really love the sleek look of those blades, and the price point is definitely much friendlier than the aforementioned. lol.

They put out enough for a full blown SPS tank if one wants. With 3 of them over my 72*36*22 tall peninsula, I had enough PAR for SPS anywhere.

I only went to 5 because I wanted 2 more for a full edge to edge blanket of light so I can go full SPS and never worry about shadowing. It is overkill but I’m okay with that

VVSA: Vivus Vitaè Subaqua · Jul 30, 2023

rtparty said:
They put out enough for a full blown SPS tank if one wants. With 3 of them over my 72*36*22 tall peninsula, I had enough PAR for SPS anywhere.

I only went to 5 because I wanted 2 more for a full edge to edge blanket of light so I can go full SPS and never worry about shadowing. It is overkill but I’m okay with that

niiiiiiceeeee!
thank you tremendously for the input!
which ones did you actually get? because i believe there are two? the "show" and the "grow", if i remember correctly?

PeterEde · Jul 30, 2023

Tuan’s Reef said:
AI - middle of the road LED.
Pros - good app , affordable, lots of options
Cons- disco ball effect , lens don’t last long if running at 100% but can be replaced

Kessil- premium LED at premium prices
Pros - great shimmer, great spectrum
Cons- expensive , weak output so you’ll need to get more for coverage

Radions- Goldilocks of LED
Pros - great coverage and spectrum with proven results , reliable , great app
Cons - expensive

I get no disco ball effect from my HD16 or Hydra32. I believe that comes down to how you set up your profile