Kessil A360x for a sps tank a mistake?

Alberta79 · Jun 24, 2020

Hi everyone, I am about to purchase my lighting for my RedSea 525xl SPS Bare bottom tank. I change my mind every morning between 4 A360x or 4 XR15 pro G5. I want the Kessils but all the youtube guys I watch run Radions. I know most of them get discounts from Ecotech. According to Randys tests from BRS the kessils should be capable of growing SPS. What are your thoughts? Would the Kessils be a mistake?

dwest · Jun 24, 2020

Alberta79 said:
Hi everyone, I am about to purchase my lighting for my RedSea 525xl SPS Bare bottom tank. I change my mind every morning between 4 A360x or 4 XR15 pro G5. I want the Kessils but all the youtube guys I watch run Radions. I know most of them get discounts from Ecotech. According to Randys tests from BRS the kessils should be capable of growing SPS. What are your thoughts? Would the Kessils be a mistake?

I use kessil a360we’s and grow sps. I’ve been using them since about 2013. However growth increased when I added T5’s. I’m guessing almost everyone might say that though. I plan to replace my kessils with kessils as they fail.

Alberta79 · Jun 24, 2020

Ya I am not planning on running t5 at all. If anything more kessil's maybe 5 instead of 4.

dwest · Jun 24, 2020

I use 6 kessils over my 180. I would go one per foot. Again, my experience is with 360we’s.

User1 · Jun 24, 2020

Alberta79 said:
Hi everyone, I am about to purchase my lighting for my RedSea 525xl SPS Bare bottom tank. I change my mind every morning between 4 A360x or 4 XR15 pro G5. I want the Kessils but all the youtube guys I watch run Radions. I know most of them get discounts from Ecotech. According to Randys tests from BRS the kessils should be capable of growing SPS. What are your thoughts? Would the Kessils be a mistake?

Unless your youtube followers are paying for your lighting you use what you believe is best based on your research. You have a lot of choices at varying degrees of dollars. Judging by what you are considering you are close to 2k in lighting alone...

Lighting is a lot like other bits of equipment in this hobby such that hobbyists are loyal, biased, and opinionated

I am although I try and remove that hat and answer or explain my reason. In this case I'm a bit biased towards Kessil. I like the a360x form factor. I like the company. I like their history. The lights work well. Most unbiased reviews show great results across the spectrums I like. Great support. I had to return one due to a flicker. Over night a new one to me - can't beat that.

I do not own any Ecotech products. I originally was planning on using their return pumps but at that time they released their new pumps and they had some serious quality issues. To their credit they did a redesign and stood by it and took care of hobbyists. Also well after too. Looks like they have good support. However enter the new lights and the initial reviews showed cracking and fan noises. Again, good with support they took care of that. However, I can't get past back to back launch troubles - just my thing and nothing against them.

I think at the end of the day it is this. What is it you want and are you going to change any of the spectrums? Both will grow corals. Both have a proven record. Both are expensive. Other lighting may be an option and cheaper or even more expensive if you go with the new Coral Care Philips. Again, biased hat off both are good products. Both will grow coral.

Only thing I can think of is visual installation and mounting. Look at that and see if one is better than the other and maybe that will seal the deal. But I don't think you will go wrong with either.

Alberta79 · Jun 24, 2020

saf1 said:
Unless your youtube followers are paying for your lighting you use what you believe is best based on your research. You have a lot of choices at varying degrees of dollars. Judging by what you are considering you are close to 2k in lighting alone...

Lighting is a lot like other bits of equipment in this hobby such that hobbyists are loyal, biased, and opinionated I am although I try and remove that hat and answer or explain my reason. In this case I'm a bit biased towards Kessil. I like the a360x form factor. I like the company. I like their history. The lights work well. Most unbiased reviews show great results across the spectrums I like. Great support. I had to return one due to a flicker. Over night a new one to me - can't beat that.

I do not own any Ecotech products. I originally was planning on using their return pumps but at that time they released their new pumps and they had some serious quality issues. To their credit they did a redesign and stood by it and took care of hobbyists. Also well after too. Looks like they have good support. However enter the new lights and the initial reviews showed cracking and fan noises. Again, good with support they took care of that. However, I can't get past back to back launch troubles - just my thing and nothing against them.

I think at the end of the day it is this. What is it you want and are you going to change any of the spectrums? Both will grow corals. Both have a proven record. Both are expensive. Other lighting may be an option and cheaper or even more expensive if you go with the new Coral Care Philips. Again, biased hat off both are good products. Both will grow coral.

Only thing I can think of is visual installation and mounting. Look at that and see if one is better than the other and maybe that will seal the deal. But I don't think you will go wrong with either.

Thank you. I had success with multiple ai primes on my last tank. I like the look of the coral pop and shimmer I have seen in pictures and videos of the A360x. Just a little concerned with how popular the radions are. I am leaning towards the kessils. I have also been waiting for the ap9x but I believe I will get better spread with multiple A360's.

andrewey · Jun 24, 2020

I don't think you should read too much into the popularity of the lights in this case- I don't think it correlates well with anything meaningful (coloration, growth, etc.) I think @saf1 nailed it with his breakdown of the situation and you'll likely be happy with either lighting option.

User1 · Jun 24, 2020

Alberta79 said:
Thank you. I had success with multiple ai primes on my last tank. I like the look of the coral pop and shimmer I have seen in pictures and videos of the A360x. Just a little concerned with how popular the radions are. I am leaning towards the kessils. I have also been waiting for the ap9x but I believe I will get better spread with multiple A360's.

If you are not in a hurry there is a virtual demo of the ap9x. I received an email but didn't sign up. I'm not sure how it will factor into your decision so not trying to muddy the water. May be an option. Another option if you have time is the Coral Care / Philips. Looks nice. Promising. Has some good reviews. No power brick. Passive cooling. A wee bit on the expensive side but if you look at the total number of lights you are considering it may be you need fewer with its design.

Crazy, right? You have options