Kessil longetivity

Fallguy44 · Jan 22, 2019

I have narrowed down my choices for my 90g mixed reef tank to a Kessil A360W-E and a Photon 48 v2+.

During my research a lot of the poor reviews of the Kessil were for premature failure in under 2 years. Sometimes even sooner. Now I know on forums, you usually only read the bad stuff but was wondering if anyone that uses these, how your experience has been.

I am torn between the 2 so any opinions there are welcomed. Thanks!

Montiman · Jan 22, 2019

I purchased 2 original 360s, non we in 2012 one died in 2018 and the other is still going. The one that died had a power head below it that caused occasional splashing which is why it died sooner.

Kessil has a 2 year warranty on their lights and I have been happy with longevity. To be honest if the lights last 5 years and I am paying 450 a light then that is $90 a year which is about what I was paying for halide bulbs.

mmw64 · Jan 22, 2019

Both of my 360's died before 2 years. However since they were under warranty they have been running for another 3 years with no problem. Love the shimmer.

andrewkw · Jan 22, 2019

I have 3 different kessil models.
In 2012 I purchased an A350 - it's still working great.
In 2013 I got an A360 - this one is starting to give me issues. It blinks when it turns on, and seems to be more on the blue side even when I adjust the whites - Not a huge deal yet but I don't think it's got too much more in it.
I think it was 2015 when I got an A360we still working great.

It's important you clean these lights about once a year, twice would probably be better.

Lor · Jan 22, 2019

How do you exactly clean the a360we? Ive seen a video in youtube where the dude opened it but im concerned it will void the warranty

Fallguy44 · Jan 22, 2019

Thanks all. A youtube review from BRS TV stated a 1 year warranty. 2 would be better.

What are your opinions on the 2 different lights? I am leaning toward the Photon at the moment.

andrewkw · Jan 22, 2019

Lor said:
How do you exactly clean the a360we? Ive seen a video in youtube where the dude opened it but im concerned it will void the warranty

It will void the warranty, but that doesn't mean they don't need to be cleaned.

Lor · Jan 22, 2019

Montiman · Jan 23, 2019

The full cleaning of the light which involves taking the light apart voids the warranty but using compressed air to clean out the vents is fine. After 2 years I would take the light apart for a deep clean since the warranty is gone.

Kessils officiall warranty is 1 year or 2 years from an authorized dealer. As long as you buy from a major retailer or LFS you are buying from an authorized retailer.

Amazon is not an authorized retailer however.

I am a big fan of kessil so I will admit I am a bit bias. What I like about kessil is it works. Very idiot proof and simple. I will say if I were buying new Kessil’s I would go 360x over the regular 360 I have been very impressed with the one over my office tank.

Fallguy44 · Jan 23, 2019

Interesting. Why would it matter where you buy it when it comes to the warranty? A sealed box is a sealed box.

andrewkw · Jan 23, 2019

Fallguy44 said:
Interesting. Why would it matter where you buy it when it comes to the warranty? A sealed box is a sealed box.

Not as far as the manufacturer is concerned. This is the same for many different products, aquarium related and otherwise. A rough guide would be anything with a map price likely has to be sold through an authorized retailer.

I have noticed the A360WE's getting cheaper on amazon lately though.

Radman73 · Jan 23, 2019

I bought an original A360 non-we back in 2012 02 2013, been a while lol! It's still running strong today over my 60 cube. I have never touched it to clean other than wiping off the surface closest to the water. Guess I should blow some compressed air though it to clean it out

. If this one failed, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Kessil. The shimmer is as close to the real ocean when I dive that I've seen.

Fallguy44 · Jan 23, 2019

Any opinions on the photon? And are the 360x's worth the extra money?

RCS82 · Jan 23, 2019

Kessil has solid customer support. They've sold a ton of lights too. I would go straight to the 360x without hesitating if I were buying new kessils.

Fallguy44 · Jan 23, 2019

So I'm seeing the 360x on Ebay for $400. I'm always suspect of Ebay and fakes. Should I be worried with this light?

DSC reef · Jan 23, 2019

@Fallguy44 they are both good lights. The photon 48 packs a serious punch and will cover the entire tank. You would need a few kessils for coverage. I've never used either light but seen them in action many times.

Fallguy44 · Jan 23, 2019

DSC reef said:
@Fallguy44 they are both good lights. The photon 48 packs a serious punch and will cover the entire tank. You would need a few kessils for coverage. I've never used either light but seen them in action many times.

Thanks. With a 4' wide 90 gallon tank with a center brace, I figured 2 would work.

Hemmdog · Jan 23, 2019

I have both; 360we’s and X’s. They are great. Huge step from that Current USA thing I had for awhile... lol.
If you can afford it I’d go for the X. It’s spread is much wider than the 360we which allows you to mount it lower to the water and get more par if your trying to grow sps.

Fallguy44 · Jan 24, 2019

I pulled the trigger on two 360x's for my 90g. Thanks all for the help and replies.

ReeferReefer · Jun 4, 2019

andrewkw said:
I have 3 different kessil models.
In 2012 I purchased an A350 - it's still working great.
In 2013 I got an A360 - this one is starting to give me issues. It blinks when it turns on, and seems to be more on the blue side even when I adjust the whites - Not a huge deal yet but I don't think it's got too much more in it.
I think it was 2015 when I got an A360we still working great.

It's important you clean these lights about once a year, twice would probably be better.

Still liking your A350? I just picked up some second hand and I was thinking of opening them up for a good cleaning.