KESSIL VS MARSAQUA

Isabella rubalcaba · Aug 27, 2017

Hello all !!! So, i have been wanting to upgrade my tank's lughting as mentioned on my last thread. Thing is i'm on a tight budget !!! I run a 60 gallon tank that is about 4 feet wide & 2 feet deep, about just over a foot wide ... although kessils are great, they arent budget friendly as we all know. For a healthy lighting set up on my tank i would spend close to $1000 !!! So im leaning more towards marsaqua's chinese LED boxes .. thoughts ? Opinions ?? I know marsaqua wont catch up to kessils uncut quality BUT since i am working on a budget, what do you guys think ??? Maybe getting two marsaqua ?? Wanna grow LPS & SPS Let me know !!!

Crswogger3 · Aug 27, 2017

Mars aqua all the way you better grow better Color more light for your money

Flippers4pups · Aug 27, 2017

I use the mars units and I'm very happy with them. I did mod them by changing some of the diodes out, based on the sb reeflights layout for color. But before I did this, they still were growing my SPS and LPS very well.

I'd buy them again for sure.

sneub · Aug 27, 2017

I love my Kessils, zero disco ball effect and great shimmer as you would see when snorkeling. The Mars seem to good lights.

Isabella rubalcaba · Aug 27, 2017

sneub said:
I love my Kessils, zero disco ball effect and great shimmer as you would see when snorkeling. The Mars seem to good lights.

Flippers4pups said:
I use the mars units and I'm very happy with them. I did mod them by changing some of the diodes out, based on the sb reeflights layout for color. But before I did this, they still were growing my SPS and LPS very well.

I'd buy them again for sure.

Crswogger3 said:
Mars aqua all the way you better grow better Color more light for your money

Thanks ALOT guys ! And well no doubt kessils are amazing !!! If the budget allowed i'd totally go for it !! .. well, i placed my order dor two 165 watt mars aquas .. crossing my fingers it works !!! Another thing, im gonna attempt a DYI stand for the lights !!!! Ant tips !? Gonna ask my brother to help me out i dont know much on the matter. Thanks !

pga7602 · Aug 27, 2017

You cant go wrong with mars aqua. I can grow anything including sps acros without issue.

Michael Montgomery · Aug 27, 2017

I've got two for sale... Reason for selling: bought six of them from a guy getting out. I only need two. LOL

Michael Montgomery · Aug 27, 2017

pga7602 said:
You cant go wrong with mars aqua. I can grow anything including sps acros without issue.

Approximately what do you have them set at? Did you leave the lenses on our pull them?

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 27, 2017

Look at SBReeflights. Two year warranty. USA sallee with a brick and mortar in Florida. Lots of YouTube videos.
IMO better spectrum. Comparable prices.
Either two 16" black boxes, or a 30 or 32 on a tank that size.

There's a few threads here on SB.

pga7602 · Aug 27, 2017

Michael Montgomery said:
Approximately what do you have them set at? Did you leave the lenses on our pull them?

Pulled all off. 11 inches from water. Set at 100 blues 45 whites.

pga7602 · Aug 27, 2017

Tossing out one more option.... my wife uses the galaxy hydro on amazon. Its the same as a mars aqua, but the spectrum is made more for reefing. ( has UV diodes and a bit more RB) price is off by a few dollars and you get amazon warranty.

Mike.kel · Sep 8, 2017

You can light that size tank with 2x a360w lights. Mounted close to the water or 2x a360n mounted high.

My tank is 5x2x2. I can cover my tank with that combo but I don't like the slight shading that happens however if it was your tanks size it would be no problem at all