KESSIL VS CHINESE BLACK BOX

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 15, 2017

elisa h said:
@saltyfilmfolks
I may as well stick to the halides then and buy a new bulb for it since I don't know the last time it was replaced. I would probably buy a kessil 160 to go with it but how much difference would that make? I may start out the tank with the halides and decide on a bulb then if I'm not happy add a kessil on there. Also thank you for all the advice you've been a big help!!

Bottom line is budget honestly.

As far as par and the ability to grow coral. The 16o doesn't to much but allow a slow ramp up rather than a pop on of the light. It's looks really. And a fun way to get the most out of your tank.
Def look at ramping leds on you tube.
Def price the bulbs

A mars aqua or popular grow wifi is about $125 and will do the same as the halide. Etc. and defiantly look at the used and for sale section here in r2r. Reefers are always looking to upgrade and sell their old lights.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 15, 2017

elisa h said:
Sorry for all the questions but would I have to pick a double ended bulb since the one in there is or does it matter? I think I've heard the double ended ones are better too but I'm not sure

It's a standard mount so yes.

BoomCorals · Sep 17, 2017

I ordered a kessil AP700 after all the discussion here and doing some research. It's the one major light I haven't tried, and I'm excited at the prospect. Will replace one of my SB reef lights over my frag tank with before and after PAR readings and will see how the coral grow!

Reefrookie220 · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
I ordered a kessil AP700 after all the discussion here and doing some research. It's the one major light I haven't tried, and I'm excited at the prospect. Will replace one of my SB reef lights over my frag tank with before and after PAR readings and will see how the coral grow!

Please keep us updated, I've played around with this light at work but I'll keep my mouth shut until I see your review!

DSC reef · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
I ordered a kessil AP700 after all the discussion here and doing some research. It's the one major light I haven't tried, and I'm excited at the prospect. Will replace one of my SB reef lights over my frag tank with before and after PAR readings and will see how the coral grow!

Looking forward to this boomcorals!

BoomCorals · Sep 17, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
Please keep us updated, I've played around with this light at work but I'll keep my mouth shut until I see your review!

I've used the a360 and did not care for it, personal taste. It seemed to grow coral ok. But I've heard the ap700 is even better.

BoomCorals · Sep 17, 2017

DSC reef said:
Looking forward to this boomcorals!

If it goes well I'm going to carry kessil products I think. I've been looking at carrying an LED line for a while and kessil has been the easiest to work with which is why I'm buying a few lights to try.

Reefrookie220 · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
If it goes well I'm going to carry kessil products I think. I've been looking at carrying an LED line for a while and kessil has been the easiest to work with which is why I'm buying a few lights to try.

As much as I don't care for the lights, the support from the company is top notch.

Katrina71 · Sep 17, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
Please keep us updated, I've played around with this light at work but I'll keep my mouth shut until I see your review!

I saw it!

BoomCorals · Sep 17, 2017

Reefrookie220 said:
As much as I don't care for the lights, the support from the company is top notch.

Please do share your experience! Did you use the ap700?

Douglas Wattier · Sep 17, 2017

Check out the newest BRS video, they cover this exact question. I'm fairly new to the saltwater/reef hobby and got lucky enough to buy a system second hand and basically paid for the kessil a350. @saltyfilmfolks said it, you absolutely don't need the kessil. The only thing I would try to steer you towards, is making sure you buy a quality product. American made means American standards. I come from an electrical engineering back ground, and some of the stuff you see coming from other countries that don't hold these standards are scary. Now that does not mean every Chinese Black Box is gonna go bad, and absolutely kessil lights will go bad. It comes down to what you will be comfortable with.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
If it goes well I'm going to carry kessil products I think. I've been looking at carrying an LED line for a while and kessil has been the easiest to work with which is why I'm buying a few lights to try.

Hmmm. I know a guy looking for some second hand SB's.

bif24701 · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
I ordered a kessil AP700 after all the discussion here and doing some research. It's the one major light I haven't tried, and I'm excited at the prospect. Will replace one of my SB reef lights over my frag tank with before and after PAR readings and will see how the coral grow!

I have two AP700s over my 180 and never looked back. Most importing things to me when choosing a light where looks, performance, and coral health. I especially like Kessil Logic because no matter the choices I make in my photo period I rest easy knowing that it has already been optimized for the best coral health possible.

I can show you the huge colonies I've grow or beautiful shimmer but the fact is if you do it right most all LEDs can achieve a certain amount of success. To me the extra spent on these fixtures is well worth it. The very best power supply, flawless color mixing, beautiful shimmer, Kessil Logic, WiFi control, sleek appearance, and well there are other things. I just love this light and happy to have them.

Reefrookie220 · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
Please do share your experience! Did you use the ap700?

I was on a maintenance of a client's tank, they had the ap700 and had lost power causing the of the schedule.

Having no experience with the light or how to use its million and one features, I called kessil and they walked me through it step by step. Very good service.

Reefrookie220 · Sep 17, 2017

BoomCorals said:
Please do share your experience! Did you use the ap700?

I was on a maintenance of a client's tank, they had the ap700 and had lost power causing the of the schedule.

Having no experience with the light or how to use its million and one features, I called kessil and they walked me through it step by step. Very good service.

Reefrookie220 · Sep 17, 2017

bif24701 said:
I have two AP700s over my 180 and never looked back. Most importing things to me when choosing a light where looks, performance, and coral health. I especially like Kessil Logic because no matter the choices I make in my photo period I rest easy knowing that it has already been optimized for the best coral health possible.

I can show you the huge colonies I've grow or beautiful shimmer but the fact is if you do it right most all LEDs can achieve a certain amount of success. To me the extra spent on these fixtures is well worth it. The very best power supply, flawless color mixing, beautiful shimmer, Kessil Logic, WiFi control, sleek appearance, and well there are other things. I just love this light and happy to have them.

I wanna see colonies!