MH or kessil 360we...? pls advice

kris2001 · May 2, 2020

My DT is 60x24x24 inch. Currently blanketed fully by HAMILTON MH PENDANT that's 2 x 250w radium.

love the shimmer and even shades and corners get reflected light.

I'm getting a good deal on used kessil 360s locally. If I were to replace the halide how many kessil would it take to get the same effect and coverage.

Thx

kris2001 · May 2, 2020

Oh forgot, just ignore the 2 bulb t5 retro it's minimal light currently!

dwest · May 2, 2020

I think 4 or 5 kessils to replace the halides. Around 2013 I replaced my 250 halides with 350’s then 360’s. I thought a one to one replacement would work. I was really wrong about that.

Little_Red_Ryan_Hood · May 2, 2020

Stick with the halide. IMO it is the best light source for coral growth and color (Acros). Many may disagree but you will be spending money to get a less impressive light. You already have good lights, spend your money on corals or something else like a Calcium reactor. Your lights are good.

Crustaceon · May 2, 2020

If you like the look of halide and can deal with the extra heat, stick with it. As recommended, spend that money on other stuff.

SR Reefing · May 2, 2020

Agree with 4-5 Kessil 360WE. Kessil have great color, good control, use less energy, less heat produced as I am currently using for my LPS.

However, it is super weak I mean 5 minimum for your tank, and it has small buzz sound when cooling fan gets old.

greg 45 · May 2, 2020

Stick with the halides
Then add ReefBrite XHO blue leds

kris2001 · May 7, 2020

Thx all, what happens if I don't replace radium 250 w bulbs every year?

Less growth?! Btw I only run them 4hr daily.

Little_Red_Ryan_Hood · May 7, 2020

I run 14 k Phoenix bulbs about 8 hours a day. I hope to make them last 18 months. At 4 hours you should get at least 2 years out of them, if not more. This is talked about by Mike in the following article. In the article he runs some halide bulbs for 2 hours a day and hopes to get 5 years out of them.