Kessil A360X vs Red Sea ReefLED 90

[Daniel92481]

Hello everyone, fairly new reefer here, curious to see the different opinions on these two lights. I am considering one of them on my upcoming tank. I have watched the BRS videos on each of these lights and still seem undecided. I will be using one of them on either an IM40 or Reefer 170 (Still debating the sump vs AIO dilemma as well).

-What are your thoughts?

-One specific question I have is, how does the shimmer of the 90 compare to Kessil?

-Which PUR/PAR levels would be better at sustaining a mixed reef?

Thank you for the info!

 

[HB AL]

I vote Kessil.

 

[Ky_acc]

I vote Kessil.

Any particular reasons why?

I only ask as I am interested in the comparison between the two -any real world experience would be really helpful.

I like the app for the reef led and the recessed bulb I think is a cool feature, but not sure how they perform in the real world vs something like a kessil, which has been around for quite some time.

 

[Daniel92481]

Any particular reasons why?

I only ask as I am interested in the comparison between the two -any real world experience would be really helpful.

I like the app for the reef led and the recessed bulb I think is a cool feature, but not sure how they perform in the real world vs something like a kessil, which has been around for quite some time.

This is exactly what I think. Yea, there’s videos from BRS and Marine depot, which I do value, I just want to see what others on here think about the two. From what I’ve read, the Kessil X is a great light, just not as great as a lot of people had hoped for. As far as the ReefLED 90, the performance/visual appeal appears to have a slight edge. Even after knowing this, I still feel a gravitational pull towards Kessil.

 

[HB AL]

Any particular reasons why?

I only ask as I am interested in the comparison between the two -any real world experience would be really helpful.

I like the app for the reef led and the recessed bulb I think is a cool feature, but not sure how they perform in the real world vs something like a kessil, which has been around for quite some time.

I have a highly stocked mixed reef with all types of corals that all started as small frags and the Kessils grow everything. Heres some pics I just took with my phone so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. I have 2 360's and 4 160's over the a 90g Cadlights.

 

[Ky_acc]

I have a highly stocked mixed reef with all types of corals that all started as small frags and the Kessils grow everything. Heres some pics I just took with my phone so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. I have 2 360's and 4 160's over the a 90g Cadlights.

Your tank is stunning!

Thanks for sharing

 

[Highgrade]

I'd go with the A360X which are proven to grow coral. Not to mention best shimmer out of any LED. The Red Sea lights are still to new unless you've seen them side by side in person to get a better idea of what you prefer. Also The Red Sea light spectrum is limited compared to the Kessils.

 

[Montiman]

I am a kessil fan. I have 3 tanks lit with kessils so I am admittedly a bit biased. The reason I keep comming back to kessil is it just works. I started liking kessils when I was at an LFS and was selling Ecotech and AI. They worked but about half of the customers came back to the store with Ecosmart Live problems, or AI connection problems. Others didn't know how to tune the sliders and would have algae blooms or bleach corals.

On Reef2Reef there is a community full of reef nerds who can figure out these problems but at the fish store the community was made of regular people and regular people struggled to find out how to use their lights. I then tried kessil and it just worked. I never had a complaint about WIFI or how to tune lights ever again.

I think many people forget a light is piece of lifesupport equipment not a toy. Kessil has designed an excellent light that grows corals with minimal input and very few things that can go wrong. I am sure the redsea would work as well but I just keep coming back to kessil after having tried many other options.

 

[Daniel92481]

These are all really good points. Kessil is my first choice for a reef light, and am excited about the release of their new WiFi dongle. Here is a pic of it from saltwateraquariums recent video tour of Reefapooza in Cali. Looks neat!

 

[Aneasytarget]

I was leaning towards Kessil but for the same $ I was able to get 3x RedSea as opposed to 2x Kessil. Wifi controller built in and no extra cords req’d. I think both form factors and mounting options look great. I don’t see the need to mess around with other colour spectrums as these look great straight out the box.
Online photos don’t do them justice as I haven’t seen a pic with correct colour balance (in camera) yet. Probably best to compare in store.

Here’s a photo but things are not as blue as they appear in the photo. Shimmer is great.

RedSea website displays 2 tanks that have been using the light for 2 years, I’m sure they’ll grow coral but will take time to prove results with slow adoption of a new product.

With the right balance of functions I’m after I was happy to jump in head first. Fingers crossed.

 

[Daniel92481]

Awesome! I still haven’t seen one in store, but do like the form factor of the Red Sea 90 too. I like how the light is recessed to maybe keep from shining in your eyes. I hope you enjoy your lights and make sure to put an update on your experience with them soon!

 

[splitting_lanes]

I was able to compare the two lights side by side, and I thought the Kessil looked a little better, in both light output and the fact that it’s smaller.

I was concerned about the light bleeding from the Kessil, and there is some, but it’s not an issue.

I wound up going with the Kessil on my 170, and you can see pics of it on my build thread if you’re interested

 

[Daniel92481]

I was able to compare the two lights side by side, and I thought the Kessil looked a little better, in both light output and the fact that it’s smaller.

I was concerned about the light bleeding from the Kessil, and there is some, but it’s not an issue.

I wound up going with the Kessil on my 170, and you can see pics of it on my build thread if you’re interested

I really like the low profile of the Kessil X. This is the light that I have chosen to run on my Nuvo 40 soon when I get her setup soon! Awesome build thread, keep up the updates!

 

[splitting_lanes]

I really like the low profile of the Kessil X. This is the light that I have chosen to run on my Nuvo 40 soon when I get her setup soon! Awesome build thread, keep up the updates!

Thanks. I don’t think you could go wrong with either light. It’s really whatever you prefer. And the price.

 

[Daniel92481]

That’s true. I’ve been debating the Red Sea 90, Kessil 360X, and the XR15. From watching the videos from Marine depot and BRS, it seems like for a SPS dominant tank the lights should cover 18x18. I would think for a mixed reef, expecting 24 inch square coverage from a light is ideal and should be sufficient. One reason why I love this hobby, so many options!

 

[RyanHoan]

Anyone with ReefLed 90s?

what intensity/setting do you keep them at?

 

[Aquarium Reef]

That’s true. I’ve been debating the Red Sea 90, Kessil 360X, and the XR15. From watching the videos from Marine depot and BRS, it seems like for a SPS dominant tank the lights should cover 18x18. I would think for a mixed reef, expecting 24 inch square coverage from a light is ideal and should be sufficient. One reason why I love this hobby, so many options!

What did you end up going with and how do you like it?

 

[Daniel92481]

What did you end up going with and how do you like it?

I went with the Kessil and couldn’t be happier.

 

[a4edwin]

I have a highly stocked mixed reef with all types of corals that all started as small frags and the Kessils grow everything. Heres some pics I just took with my phone so you get an idea of what I'm talking about. I have 2 360's and 4 160's over the a 90g Cadlights.

Any time I run across a kessil thread and see @HB AL’s tank fireworks just go off for me! I want take his tank and rub it in all the kessil nay sayers faces! Lol

 

[blasterman]

The biggest difference, other than the obvious kessil shimmer is the Red Sea lights are slanted heavy towards Royal Blue / violet at high power levels. This is fine....if you like a heavy blue / actinic tank. The Kessils on the other hand are power balanced towards having more classic blue reef tank.

Local reef shop has both and we've spent hours fiddling with the balance of both. You can get a classic 14k look with the Kessils but not the Red Seas's without significantly sacrificing power.

Both grow coral, but I'm personally sick of the heavy 430-450nm "hey look at my radioactive zoas" look and heavy purple slant that's visible down the street, but that's my opinion. The color bias should be discussed more in regards to these two lights.