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View Full Version : KESSIL 160w vs Kessil 360 vs hydra 52


MexicanReefer
04/13/2015, 10:47 AM
Based in your experience, what lights will you choose?

Im about to mount a 33x21x 24 (tall). 70 gallon tank. Mostly want it to be SPS and exotic zoas. And I still wondering What choice will be the best for my New tank.

Option 1 : AI hydra 52

Option 2 : Kessil 360we

Option 3 : Pair of Kessil 160w

cleverbs
04/13/2015, 11:09 AM
2x Hydra 52s - I have used them you will need 2

Or better yet a ATI Sunpower 6 or 8 bulb fixture

DDon
04/13/2015, 11:17 AM
No personal experience with the hydra 52, from reading you may me able to get by with 1 mounted parallel.
You would want 2 of the kessil a360we. They are good for a max of 24" plus 2 would help with shadowing issues as your sps grow.
No experience with the a160, but for a 24" tall tank that is sps dominant, I personally would not consider them.
I'm sure you will hear from others with hands on experience with the other lights.

Uncle Luke
04/13/2015, 11:53 AM
2x Hydra 52s - I have used them you will need 2

Or better yet a ATI Sunpower 6 or 8 bulb fixture

+1 on the ATI

hart24601
04/13/2015, 12:48 PM
I would go with hydra 26's over that tank. I like them better than t5.

toothybugs
04/13/2015, 12:58 PM
I recently bought a 160 for over my desktop 15. I lit up my 40B with it since I'm getting LED strips (BML) over it and wanted to see what it looked like anyway. Seeing it do what it's doing, 2 would be very minimal for you. Good zoa lights in a tank as deep as yours but I wouldn't do SPS except at the very top third (or better yet, quarter) of the tank. For your tank, you definitely would need a pair of the 360s which would be my personal choice for your situation.

etepperman
04/14/2015, 01:04 PM
I have not have good luck with Kessil. Mine overheated in under a year, while my Cheap Chinese LED are running strong for 3 years now.

-E

cleverbs
04/14/2015, 01:43 PM
No to get off topic but I have found its hard to keep zoas and sps in the same tank happy. My zoas HATE me to say the least. The water is clean the flow is strong and the light is intense...I dont keep zoas anymore because sps I like better haha.

Jimmyb819
04/14/2015, 04:46 PM
Have no experience with the Hydras but I replaced my Sol Blue with Kessils and I'm extremely happy. Sol was a good light but messed with the corals colors. Storm mode was fun for about 2 days then didn't use it. Kessils are no nonsense, very functional lights. I think the UV LEDs are helping add better color so if the Hydras have UV then they will probably be better than my Sol.