Thoughts on these Kessil lights?

kelp47 · Oct 10, 2020

I’m looking at the a360we tuna blue a160 tuna blue.
I intend to buy the Reef Octopus Lux 32 gal system, dimensions are 24x18x18.
I’ll be transferring a few gorgonians and an open brain from my current tank, and will probably just stick with lps and softies.

The a360 is more powerful and offers more options long term, but I’m seeing a lot of reviews mention that the lights don’t last much more than a couple years. Reviews for the a160 look better (and as a bonus it’s cheaper). But I also see comments that the lights will last if you just keep them dust free by blowing them off regularly.

So my questions are ...
1) Does anyone have experience with either of these two lights and have any thoughts on longevity? And any thoughts on the dust comment.
2) Will the a160 be enough for my purpose, or should I go with the a360? I don’t mind spending more on the a360, but I don’t want to spend more for capabilities I don’t need.

Thanks in advance!

F i s h y · Oct 10, 2020

I haven't owned my A360WE's long, around 8 months, but I got them second hand and made sure that I was picky when I bought them. They all still look and function like new. I use them with a spectral controller and I LOVE them. Make sure to keep them clean and maintained. They are able to be taken apart completely (carefully) to be fully cleaned. I think thats the key once a year. And blow them out monthly.

HB AL · Oct 10, 2020

I have 4 360's and 3 160's, 5 of them are going on 5 years January 2021 and have had no issues. Only issue I had was with a 160 over 4 years ago, I had it for a week and some of the leds in the blue went out. I called Kessil and they sent me a new one 2 days later. No complaints here with my kessils they grow all corals in my mixed reef. I've never taken them apart but do blow them out every couple months. Go with the 360we.

andrewkw · Oct 10, 2020

My kessil a350 is still going strong, purchased in 2012. My a360 purchased about a year later has died though. I also have an a360we going strong and recently got an a360x.

The secret to a long life is taking them apart and cleaning them. This does void the warranty and it can be difficult to do. I did shatter one lens cover trying to get the thing apart, but there was so much dust baked into them, this has really stopped them from overheating / burning themselves out. The one that did die had some issues with blinking before it finally gave out.

minus9 · Oct 10, 2020

kelp47 said:
I’m looking at the a360we tuna blue a160 tuna blue.
I intend to buy the Reef Octopus Lux 32 gal system, dimensions are 24x18x18.
I’ll be transferring a few gorgonians and an open brain from my current tank, and will probably just stick with lps and softies.

The a360 is more powerful and offers more options long term, but I’m seeing a lot of reviews mention that the lights don’t last much more than a couple years. Reviews for the a160 look better (and as a bonus it’s cheaper). But I also see comments that the lights will last if you just keep them dust free by blowing them off regularly.

So my questions are ...
1) Does anyone have experience with either of these two lights and have any thoughts on longevity? And any thoughts on the dust comment.
2) Will the a160 be enough for my purpose, or should I go with the a360? I don’t mind spending more on the a360, but I don’t want to spend more for capabilities I don’t need.

Thanks in advance!

Are these new or used lights? If they're new, then I would recommend the newer 360x instead. It's a better light with more control (via spectral x or wifi dongle) and better spread. With the corals you want to keep, one will probably do the job with the right placement of corals to match you tanks par map. Two 160's would work too.

RVA REEF · Oct 10, 2020

both are great lights and if bought new kessil has a 2 year warranty, they will replace the light if it breaks during that period. 2 160s would be great for that tank or 2 360s if you wanted to do mostly sps or run them at a lower wattage.

kelp47 · Oct 10, 2020

I would be buying new. Would the 360x not be overkill for my purpose? I do like the extral control over the spectrum! But I don't want tons of light spillage. Maybe I could attach the beam focuser, or whateverer they call it, and dial it down?

minus9 said:
Are these new or used lights? If they're new, then I would recommend the newer 360x instead. It's a better light with more control (via spectral x or wifi dongle) and better spread. With the corals you want to keep, one will probably do the job with the right placement of corals to match you tanks par map. Two 160's would work too.

minus9 · Oct 10, 2020

It's not overkill at all. One light, mounted at the right height will do the job perfectly, 6" to 8". Look at the BRS RS170's and you'll get an idea of how it will look with a single mounting arm. If you're going to buy two 160's or the we's, then I would spend that money on the newer version. Also, if you want to try your hand at some sps, it's just a T5 hybrid away.