Best led out there please help

[Bama41Georgia24]

I want the best leds out there for a mixed reef. Money isn’t an option just want to buy the best and be done with it. Radions, hydras, primes, photons, orphek, kessil what should I get and why? I have a 125 gallon tank. Thanks!!

 

[MNFish]

All listed would work for a mixed reef but only Kessil will give you a realistic shimmering effect.

I am biased however as I have only used Kessil, but have never had any issues that would make me want to switch.

Would be nice if stores had one of each over a tank so you could see the difference, as some people love the realistic look and some dont.

 

[rwreef]

Good luck. I've used and like Kessil and Radion.

 

[Bama41Georgia24]

All listed would work for a mixed reef but only Kessil will give you a realistic shimmering effect.

I am biased however as I have only used Kessil, but have never had any issues that would make me want to switch.

Would be nice if stores had one of each over a tank so you could see the difference, as some people love the realistic look and some dont.

Thank you yes I’ve never seen one in person but have heard nothing but great things what model would you suggest for a 125 and is it fully customizable with the Apex?

 

[MNFish]

Watch "Will the Kessil AP9X be the right tool for one of the most challenging reef tanks we try to keep?" on YouTube

 

[MNFish]

I have the ap700 which is the older model of the AP9X which I control thru the Kessil app as it does not work with my Apex not sure if the new one does but also not sure what you would gain controling it thru apex.

 

[CK00020]

Ati straton no noise

 

[mfinn]

I used Radions for 9 years. I have gone on to other lights but still really like them.
Another light fixture I really like is the CoralCare gen 2 fixture.
I like the amount of coverage for each fixture, ( I'm using two fixtures over my 72" x 30" x 25" tank), I like the Bluetooth and WIFI controls and the absolute silence with no fans. Every light fixture I've used for 25 years has had fans ( which eventually get loud).

 

[Jedi1199]

I just installed a pair of Kessil a360x over my 55 and so far I am very impressed. The lights are bright and uber controllable. I don't have an Apex controller so I can't offer anything in that area. The WiFi dongle and Kessil app are pretty simple to install and get running.

The ONLY thing I would change is I would get the 90* mounting bracket instead of the gooseneck one.

 

[Billldg]

The truth is, their is no BEST, just what you like and gravitate to.

Some like Kessils, while, I like the Radion G5 Blues. As far as spread and Par, the G5 has pushed the envelope. I have 4 in my Hybrid on my 225 gal tank, and have a 5th to install. I am not sure if I really need to install the 5th as I get a even 200 Par on the bottom with my T5's on and my G5 Blues, running the AB+ spectrum and at 50 percent intensity.

We all have our favorites, its just the nature of light manufacturers.

I can not speak for Kessils and Orpheks, as I have never owned either. I do know they are good lights.

 

[Kfactor]

go with what you like . i have a reefbrite 250w mh with kessil a 360xs on the sides and really like it . i found another reefbrite for cheap so i will be swapping out the kessils for the reefbrite 250 w mh so i have 2 and going to but a 360x in the middle fir ramp up and down

 

[flashsmith]

Radions for me but I just replaced a set of current ic pros with maxspect jumps on an sr80 and for the money they are nice lights. Not radion g5s like on my RS 625 but they are an excellent value. And to my eye not much difference for $600 less for 2 compared to Radions other than wattage which I don't need on a shallow reef tank. If you want to get high class you can go with some reef brite "kickers" on those radions. I put them on mine and love them.

 

[Dolphins18]

Best is AI/radions imo.
AI allows more customization of the spectrum, allowing you to increase light with growth/shading.
Radions pack a little more of a punch and are plug and play, which is a bit easier, but not as customizable.
I am not a huge fan of kessils, but many have success with them.

 

[tharbin]

Asking which LED fixture is best is liking asking who makes the best chili. There is no universal "right" answer. All of the models you mentioned can be used very successfully and all can be complete failures.

The only reason I'm replying in this thread is that one question you asked keeps popping into my head "fully customizable with the Apex". In my opinion almost all LED fixtures are too customizable.

Personally I like the look of Kessils. I like their shimmer, I like the way the LEDS are combined behind the lens, I like that they have optional reflectors and I really like Kessil Logic. That said I have a small tank and a smaller budget so I'm using Prime 16HDs.

The Kessils have Kessil Logic that prevents you from doing a spectrum blend that is bad for the tank (but it can be overridden) and the Radions have some seemingly very good presets available. I don't know about the others.

The LFSs I frequent have Hydra 32s, Radions, Prime 16HDs, and Kessils. The corals from the LFS with Kessils are the ones I usually end up buying. Does it mean anything? I doubt it.

 

[dferrant]

radion g4 pros.
Can supplement with T5's

 

[oreo54]

Thank you yes I’ve never seen one in person but have heard nothing but great things what model would you suggest for a 125 and is it fully customizable with the Apex?

Money isn’t an option just want to buy the best and be done with it.

First you need to list all your wants/needs.
See at first it was "money is no option"
Then "is it apex compatible"

An expensive light with bad "color" for you (ect) is worthless.Radion pro vs blue for another example.

 

[Forty-Two]

The Kessils are nice - I have an a500x - however the shimmer leaves dark spots/contrast spots - so you will likely need either t5’s or led bars to supplement in order to give an overall light blend.

When I use my par meter in my tank the numbers can jump by as much as 70-80 par in a matter of seconds and flicker back and forth - so it’s hard to get a true sense of the par.

for this reason I’m going to be trying Orphek Atlantiks and the kessils together to see if I can get the best of both worlds - the shimmer and the coverage.

 

[i_am_mclovin]

Best bang for the buck LED is reefbreeders photon hands down. I would personally avoid Kessil and AI as it takes more of them for the same coverage and PAR in my experience, though they do have nice features. Radion and Red Sea lights are also great spread and par. Also avoid the cheap Chinese LED.

 

[Gtinnel]

This is a question where you won't get a specific answer of what's best, because the answer is subjective. Plus the odds that any user has used every brand of light it fairly slim. So they can just give you what is the best from what they've used.

 

[1Arrecife]

I was like you, money was no option. However once you get to the top of the line it's all about preference for the look. Like the others say try to see all the big name brands in person.

I was recently torn between a Radion xr30 or kessil ap9x.

I went with kessil because of the shimmer. I wont get the color pop i'd get with radions, but my goal was different.

My goal was to mimic a natural look(as close as it gets). I also like to adjust my color. Kessil was fool proof and convinient for me. My compromise was the color pop from radions I am able to live without it. The hard shimmer lines made kessil more unique to me. Find out if you hate hard shimmer.

Without messing things up corals get the right spectrum needed all the time. All I do is adjust the color of light, duration, and intensity to my liking. Convinience was also my goal (not that you cannot adjust radions, you definitely can). It's more intuitive for me with kessil, despite all redundant UI's that make their mobile app. confusing. The app has a small learning curve but the simplicity of the touch buttons is there at a whim.

What are you goals when it comes to lighting? What will you compromise? If you only intend to get one "the best light" you wont, another light will always have something you want.

Sometimes the best may not be needed to accomplish your goal. You can also buy a mix of the best to get the look you want.

Find out what you want first, so other can suggest.

Good luck