Lighting question (sorry)

[Jon Fishman]

I know there are a thousand questions already answered on lighting, but looking for a nudge in the right direction with my dilemma since I am bad at making decisions.

I have a 3mo old 300w Mars Aqua, so it’s a 32” wide light. I have used it in conjunction with an Orbit Pro on my 75g. Everything has grown well, and I have no complaints about lack of ability to control it etc. I don’t need special storm effects etc.

Moving to a new tank I need more/new lights and that is where the dilemmas arise.

New tank is 96 x 16 x 16

I either need 2 additional lights to match what I have, or I am drawn to the Kessil 360’s based on aesthetics and small footprint, but I know “head to head” they are probably a much better light, higher quality, etc.

Looking used etc, I would need probably $1k for 4 Kessils if I shop around enough, or $400 will get me two additional black-boxes shipped to my door within 2 days


Is the extra cost of the kessils really worth it? Is it worth taking the chance on used? If only one kessil were to fail the replacement cost would be close to the two new black boxes alone.

With the shallow tank, I feel like the par (at least) from the black boxes would be plenty to happily grow anything in my tank, but is there more to a quality brand (via spectrum etc?) that would bring enough tangible value to switching to kessils to justify their cost?

I have been on a seesaw for weeks!

Edit: I have an apex, so I would gain control-ability also I guess

 

[Ron Reefman]

If budget is an issue, I'd consider 2 Mars Aqua 165's or 1 additional Mars 300 and just keep the single Orbit (you really don't even need it.

With 2 of the 32" fixtures you set each in 8" off the ends and have an 16" gap in between. Or with 2 of the 165's you set 1 at each end about 5-6" off the ends and center the 32" fixture.

Forget the Kessils, they look nice but they are spotlights which create a lot of shadows which the array of the Mars would create. And they really are not any better in terms of the light produced. You'll have more than enough PAR to keep most anything.

 

[LostInTheDark]

Mars Aqua have been shown to grow anything the expensive lights can. Two more 300w would give you edge to edge coverage and complete control over the entire tank. A lot of the bad you hear about LEDs is the "spotlighting effect" you get from the a single spot source forcing people to compensate with T5s. The downside, if it bothers you, would be the Disco effect from the spread out LEDs but you already know what its like if you have them.

 

[Reefs and Geeks]

I'd personally do 2 more 300W mars aqua lights, even is price wasn't a consideration. Wall to wall coverage from lighting that is perfectly capable of keeping any coral you like. What could be better than that? At only 16" depth, you'll likely need to keep the intensity fairly low on them, but you won't have bad shadowing like you'd likely get with kessils. I think with an 8' tank that is relatively shallow and narrow, coverage is a much bigger concern than par. Save the money you would have spent on the Kessils and use it for more fish/coral!

 

[Jon Fishman]

Thanks guys! Ordering 2 more 300w Mars Aquas now! I honestly expected an overwhelming response about kessils being worth it...... Maybe I was trying to nudge myself in the direction of justifying their cost.


Did I just make a “budget” decision for my tank? Well there’s a first time for everything

 

[Jekyl]

Most of the reason the high priced lights get the attention they do are from videos being produced by retailers. Of course they are going to recommend products they carry that get them the best profit ratios