Please help with lighting fixture decision

[Ryno]

Hello all. I am looking for some help deciding which fixture to get. I currently run 2 x 250 watt metal halides on my 90 gallon and I am going to make the switch to LED's. I had it narrowed down to: 2- AI hydra 26 or 2-Kessil 360WE but then I saw the new JBJ Orion LT 120 at Reef-a-palooza and really liked it. I guess I'm kind of leaning towards the Kessil's but am open to suggestions. I keep mainly SPS and a couple anemone's. Thanks.

 

[Ryno]

nobody?

 

[Skaters216]

I just won the Orion SL -165 at Reefapalooza and put it on my 90 and its a really nice light,,,, had T5's -6 bulb before this and I like these better but don't know if the are better than ur other 2 options

 

[Chefjpaul]

Go with the hydras.
I've used both kessil & hydra.
I like the spread & controlling features of AI.

Personal preference of course.

 

[Ryno]

Thanks. I like how much control you have on the hydra's so as I do more research I am really liking that option. Plus with the kessil's I don't like that I would have to spend 800 for the pair and then another 100 for the spectral controller just to have some features.

 

[Ryno]

What kind of programs/features are on the SL 165 that you picked up? As far as price, that is a very attractive option and according to the spec sheet on their website it gets pretty good PAR numbers at 18". Do you like the coverage as much as your T5's?

 

[Skaters216]

The coverage is very good, ,,, there are 6 seasonal settings plus other options,,, google the lights settings,,,, the light goes for $500 so I would study up as you know how important light is in a reef tank and you want o be happy with spending big money on a light

 

[vio]

Ai .
https://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/sale-trade/195132-ai-vegas-sell.html

 

[Petvit61]

I have a 90 mixed reef and am very happy with the reefbreeders photon series. Worth a look. Not quite as fancy as other fixtures but certainly as bright at a lower cost.

 

[reefiness]

I have a 90 mixed reef and am very happy with the reefbreeders photon series. Worth a look. Not quite as fancy as other fixtures but certainly as bright at a lower cost.

Agree with this. Reefbreeders are very affordable as an intro led option. I also thing it will give you a better spread than the other 2

 

[Reefinny]

I have used the kessils and the hydras, I like the Hydras better.

 

[fritz]

I'm really pleased with my Kessils. I went with the 160s and never take them past 45% intensity. From what I read on other boards people didn't seem to recommend taking the 360s over 50-60%. For my mixed reef 45% is probably on the high side for 160s. Everything seemed really happy at 30-35% and colors were great. I tried pushing 45 to see if I could get more growth. At higher intensities its just tooooo bright. I find the Kessils to be the closest to the natural look the sun makes. The spectral controller is totally worth it.

 

[piranhapat]

I have a 90 gal and have 4 350 w Kessil with all SPS. All at 90% and color is ok but growth is slow. I love the look of as though sun is beaming down in tank. But it needs a supplement light for better growth. The 360 are little more stronger but 2 at the cost will not cut it. You would need something else with kessil.

 

[Ryno]

Thank you for the responses I am glad you said that about the kessils because it seems like I wouldn't have been happy with 2 of them. After reading some of the recommendations the reef breeders v2 fixtures seem like a pretty good option. At $650 they look to be a bigger coverage area than 2 hydra 26's for $700. Not quite as many features but I don't really care about the weather effects etc.. I'm thinking about giving the 48" fixture a try

 

[HanKami]

I would go with 2 or 3 ai prime hd, just my thoughts