KESSIL VS CHINESE BLACK BOX

[elisa h]

This is the tank, for reference. I will be replacing the blinds or getting some type of curtain so that sunlight doesn't come through. Anybody have any ideas on how to hide that ugly overflow box? I was thinking of growing some gsp or zoas over it lol

 

[McArcher]

This is my black box tank.

Softies only? I think not.

Great looking tank Salty! What brand BB are you running?
Btw, can I get a frag of those green marble looking things in the bottom right corner?

 

[happyhourhero]

If I had your tank I would run 2 16" right next to each other. I I

 

[trevormass7]

No problem! I personally use the Galaxyhydro 165W Black Box but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have WiFi control capability. I've had it for around 7 months and nothing's burned out so far.

+1 I have the same exact light and watched most of my corals double in size within a month

 

[elisa h]

No problem! I personally use the Galaxyhydro 165W Black Box but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have WiFi control capability. I've had it for around 7 months and nothing's burned out so far.

I think I'm going to go with the galaxyhydro!

 

[happyhourhero]

I ran GalaxyHydro until I swapped the board out to SB Reef Lights.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I think I'm going to go with the galaxyhydro!

Look at the SBreeflight first. 2yr warranty. Owners live in Florida. Name is Mike.

Great looking tank Salty! What brand BB are you running?
Btw, can I get a frag of those green marble looking things in the bottom right corner?

Sbreeflight. Going on just over a year with no prob.

You mean the bubble algae? I mean "mermaids pearls". Lol. Sure!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

This is the tank, for reference. I will be replacing the blinds or getting some type of curtain so that sunlight doesn't come through. Anybody have any ideas on how to hide that ugly overflow box? I was thinking of growing some gsp or zoas over it lol

I love that tank! You can paint the back black to hide the plumbing.
And yea. You can def grow stuff on them.

If I had your tank I would run 2 16" right next to each other. I I

Yep.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

No problem! I personally use the Galaxyhydro 165W Black Box but I don't like the fact that it doesn't have WiFi control capability. I've had it for around 7 months and nothing's burned out so far.

Is it a basic non ramp model? I'm looking at the storm controller mods. Non wifi but it ramps and has a timer.

I just missed a bluefish wifi used for a $100. Arrrg.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Just throwing it out there that there are black boxes with 2 year USA warranties. Also throwing it out there that mine have been going without issue for over 2 years. Be happy with whatever light you want to go with but you certainly dont have to drop crazy coin on good lights.

Thinking about this tank. If budget is an issue and the OP would like some bells and whistles, timers ramping etc...they could get one SB 16 wifi and pull some or most of the lenses.

Hung At 12to 14in that's 18in + of coverage at the top.

Wouldn't be "perfect coverage" like two but...

Still have a clam on the bottom eventually ...

 

[happyhourhero]

Thinking about this tank. If budget is an issue and the OP would like some bells and whistles, timers ramping etc...they could get one SB 16 wifi and pull some or most of the lenses.

Hung At 12to 14in that's 18in + of coverage at the top.

Wouldn't be "perfect coverage" like two but...

Still have a clam on the bottom eventually ...

I take you word for it. I have not messed with my lenses at all so I dont know what happens when you take them off other than what ive read. Never actually seen it in person.

 

[elisa h]

Thinking about this tank. If budget is an issue and the OP would like some bells and whistles, timers ramping etc...they could get one SB 16 wifi and pull some or most of the lenses.

Hung At 12to 14in that's 18in + of coverage at the top.

Wouldn't be "perfect coverage" like two but...

Still have a clam on the bottom eventually ...

The SB Reefer? I looked on their website and they also have a 32" which might be better but is 2" longer than my tank. Budget really isn't an issue I have the money it's just hard for me to spend so much on just a light. You think those are better than the kessils?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I posted this in another "black box" thread recently:

"I have to say I was skeptical at first about buying my Mars Aquas. I did research about them for over a year before I pulled the trigger, mostly driven by not wanting to spend $200+ on T5 ATI bulbs every 8 months! Over the years I must have spent a fortune on T5 bulbs!

Me and my corals are happy I bought them. At first I got as much or more growth with them, as opposed to the T5's. I did mod them by replacing some diodes to mimic the SB reeflights layout and since I've seen a explosive growth spurt, improved color and excellent polyp extension. And no more $200+ out of pocket every 8 months!

Now if you want to buy the "high end" led fixtures out there ponder this....... I spent $269 on three 165w Mars Aquas and shipped free. Awesome right out of the box. Granted it only has a white and blue channels that are independently dimmable. No Wifi, no timers.......gimmicks.

Now one "high end" fixture costs upwards to $800. One fixture! To cover my tank I need three. That's $2400!

(3)$2400-(3)$269=$2131 saved.

Now $2400/$269 =8.9 (almost 9)


I could buy 24 Mars Aquas units for the cost of 3 "high end" led fixtures!

24! Insane!"

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I do think they're worth it yes. Have two tanks. The sb tank is better than the $2800 + in leds in the other thank. (I purchesed them used lol)


I have a single 16 on my 20x20.

These ones

https://sbreeflights.com/sbox-reef-lights/9-sbox-extreme-16-wifi.html
Get two if it's not an issue.

Or the new ones.the 22in ultra
But the two 16 will fill the space better.

And a single 16 with lenses pulled will also work well.

Fwiw , for the last 27 years be been in film lighting. A gaffer. Sonya my job professionally to pick lights with the correct intensity to correctly fill a space.
I.e. Wonder woman was made mostly on a dark stage with a really good gaffer ordering the lights. A lot of them. They just had a bigger budget.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I posted this in another "black box" thread recently:

"I have to say I was skeptical at first about buying my Mars Aquas. I did research about them for over a year before I pulled the trigger, mostly driven by not wanting to spend $200+ on T5 ATI bulbs every 8 months! Over the years I must have spent a fortune on T5 bulbs!

Me and my corals are happy I bought them. At first I got as much or more growth with them, as opposed to the T5's. I did mod them by replacing some diodes to mimic the SB reeflights layout and since I've seen a explosive growth spurt, improved color and excellent polyp extension. And no more $200+ out of pocket every 8 months!

Now if you want to buy the "high end" led fixtures out there ponder this....... I spent $269 on three 165w Mars Aquas and shipped free. Awesome right out of the box. Granted it only has a white and blue channels that are independently dimmable. No Wifi, no timers.......gimmicks.

Now one "high end" fixture costs upwards to $800. One fixture! To cover my tank I need three. That's $2400!

(3)$2400-(3)$269=$2131 saved.

Now $2400/$269 =8.9 (almost 9)


I could buy 24 Mars Aquas units for the cost of 3 "high end" led fixtures!

24! Insane!"

The difference in spectrum is weird isn't it?
Same coral, two tanks. Same intensity.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The difference in spectrum is weird isn't it?
Same coral, two tanks. Same intensity.

Spectrum is slightly different. More 14000k and 20000k than the 3500k and 7500k with the stock Mars units. Other than that, they are mostly the same.

That little spectrum difference was huge in coral response though. Why, not entirely sure. But SB got it right in my book.

One thing on longevity of the "black boxes", I haven't heard or really read much at all on them just up and dieing. There is a few people that have said they died within a year, but none of them knew what black box they had (weird) or came off as "fan boys" of other lighting in the same statement. Other than that, ethier black box users are awfully quiet when they go bad, or there isn't really much to report other than they are still working.

Even if they say, went bad in a couple years or say, five years, I would just buy another and gut it for parts. The parts, if they can be bought separately, would be more money most likely than a new unit.

My math on the cost comparison is proof alone on that subject.

 

[graciesdad]

I have both on different tanks. The Kessil is superior at dialing in rich color. I think most budget reefers would go with Chinese but kessil is worth it.

 

[OnPointCorals Verified Sponsor]

Ran Black boxes (mars Aqua) for the first two years of my tank. Grew tons of acros. You can't go wrong especially if you're going to have a softie / Lps tank. Even if down the line you want to get into sps you'll be all set. I Never had an issue.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Some terrible iPhone pictures:

Candy cane explosion!

Red montipora with nice color.

Birds nest going wild!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Proof black boxes "grow colorful coral"!