What is the best lighing out there? Kessil? MH?

[john08007]

I know that is a loaded question because everyone has their own opinion, MH, LED, Ect. I am putting together what I need for my new tank, it is a 24"x24"x30" tall cube, I plan on doing a mixed reef, some coral, fish, ect. I currently have 2 175W MH's that I was going to put in a canopy but while doing some research on aquarium controllers I came across the Kessil LED's. It seems to me like it will pay for itself in no time compared to running my MH's. I will need to bulbs for my MH's, and then again in another 6mo-1yr more lamps, thats almost the cost of the Kessil 360. Then there is also the electric use of the MH vs the LED. Anyway, what do people think of the Kessil, looks like the 360 will penetrate down to 36"

On a side note I also have an icecap ballast that I was going to supplement the MH's with some actinic compact florescent to help with a dawn and dusk, from what I was reading I can use the kessil with an aquarium controller and simulate dawn and dusk

[brob22]

maby not the absolute best.. but u cant go wrong with a sunpower t5. Considering the high end performance its relatively cheap. sfiligoi mh/t5 might be a bit better, but its alot more expensive. as far as leds, theres so many out there its overwelming to me. I know pacific sun is a great led unit, but the price has got to be expensive and im not even sure its better than the sunpower.

hope this post helps alittle bit

[brob22]

also i could be wrong but i think theres alot better led units then kessils

radions, aqua illumination, are great choices for leds

teef breeders value seems great for the price but def not high end

[leveldrummer]

I would suggest a combo of MH and either T5 or led is the best.

[Dashiki]

T5 hybrid I have the same tank and did not like my radion pros I switched to the ati hybrid 8 bulb it's a great light.

[brob22]

yea, i forgot about the ati hybrid. that may very well b the best.

t5 and leds go great together, especialy with a fixture like that

[raybyrne67]

Kessils are good lights I wouldn't say their the best LED. I use to own a A350w and IMO you are going to need to get a stronger light to penetrate to the bottom of a 30" tall tank.

[Ssteve]

Price aside I would go ati hybrid for sure.

[elmatth1]

Metal halide with VHO supplement actinics.

[FlyPenFly]

Anything by Ecotech, GHL, Pacific Sun, and ATI.

Personally I think the Ecotech and Pacific Sun have the best control software.

[Jeremy B.]

It's really hard to say what the best is, as everyone's needs, wants, and systems are completely different. I think that I would try and narrow it down to what type of lighting you want, such as MH, LED, or T5. Then from there you can narrow down what specific module, reflector, fixture, etc. is best for your specific application in terms of tank size, light output, etc.

In regards to mentioning the efficiency difference between MH and LED, you could use a single 175w MH in a good reflector that has a nice, strong, and even coverage in a 24" x 24" area and you'd be fine with just one. The Coralvue LumenBright Mini, Sunlight Supply Lumenmax Elite (would have to find one used), or the Hamilton Cabo Sun Mini would be a perfect reflector for this footprint tank, and definitely rival any of the higher light output LED's out there (a good reflector makes a world of difference). At that point you're still comparing 175w versus an average of let's say 100w for a good LED, so the difference in power consumption at 10hrs a day is probably not that great unless you're in an area where you pay a significant amount for electricity.

I'm not trying to sway you towards MH by any means, but just showing that the operational cost difference are really not all that much over a period of time even if you're considering a bulb change every 9-10 months with a 175w.

Just some food for thought....

[Drae]

I've yet to see anything that rivals the ati powermodule hybrid. Next best looking is Mh/vho's. Jmo

[Timber77]

I would go one 250 or 400 radium in a good reflector on a tar ballast.

[brob22]

i like the radium on a bluewave 7 ballast with vhos

[ReefDoberman]

I run 2 kessil a350w's on my 30" deep cube. Plenty strong for my corals and 3 clams on the sandbed. I actually had the narrow version first and they were too powerful. I absolutely love them and wouldn't dream of using anything else.

[firebirdude]

Originally Posted by Jeremy B.

It's really hard to say what the best is, as everyone's needs, wants, and systems are completely different. I think that I would try and narrow it down to what type of lighting you want, such as MH, LED, or T5. Then from there you can narrow down what specific module, reflector, fixture, etc. is best for your specific application in terms of tank size, light output, etc.

[that Fish Guy]

I like Kessil

[BigCountry74]

Originally Posted by john08007

I plan on doing a mixed reef, some coral, fish, ect.

First tank? And it's a 30" deep? You sure did pick a hard one to light! lol

30" deep your cheapest route is going to be MH. LED on a 30 deep aint gonna be cheap...

[john08007]

I had a 90 rr tank about 8-10 yrs ago, getting back into the hobby now, why I'm trying to incorporate my old equipment

[Reefvet]

Originally Posted by BigCountry74

30" deep your cheapest route is going to be MH. LED on a 30 deep aint gonna be cheap...

MH will be cheapest until the electric bill comes and you need to replace the bulbs every 9 months.

LED on the other hand won't take much electricity and will last many years without the cost of bulb replacement.

I'm running Kessils and they're great lights. I also have a collection of MHs sitting the garage.