Kessel 360w or Radion XR15w Pro ?

Mrs Fish · 03/31/2015, 03:20 PM

I REALLY like the Kessel 360w for my new setup (it's so new, I don't have it yet ... but I'm not new to reef tanks ... LOL) ... but I am just a little put off that there's no moonlight mode. Does anyone have the Radion XR15w Pro ... which seems comparible and has a moonlight mode. I know it's a lot more money, but I'm getting back in for the second time with the benefit of MANY PAST MISTAKES that I don't want to repeat! I'd rather have a more expensive light that is right than have to replace it a year later ...

Hopefully that makes sense to experienced reefers !!

Sue

oreo57 · 03/31/2015, 03:33 PM

To begin, pricing I've seen one is $399 (Kessil, no controller), the other $449 (controller built in)..
I'll let ohers fight out pros and cons though..

parrthed · 03/31/2015, 03:59 PM

I've had both and like the Radion colors much better. Plus I think its way brighter and offers better controlability.

calhoun.22 · 03/31/2015, 04:44 PM

Darn it! You just had to ask this question

I have been going around in circles for months about which light to get for my 60gal rimless cube build. I thought I had come to a decision and have finally saved enough to purchase a Kessil A360W-E along with a Spectral Controller.

I do like the idea of the "shimmer" provided by the Kessils and I think I like the look of the Kessil fixtures more than the Radions.

BUT!!! With the controller built into the Radion (therefore actually costing less), AND the possibility of moon lighting with the Radion, I think I am back at square one. Of course now I have the money burning a whole in my pocket so it is even more frustrating.

Mrs Fish · 03/31/2015, 05:22 PM

I have maybe decided in the Radion 30w pro ... Just waiting to see what price they will do for everything all in one.

oreo57 · 04/01/2015, 06:00 PM

bump for more data

Hentz · 04/01/2015, 07:49 PM

What tank is this going over?

If you choose the XR15 Pro, I've got one BNIB with an RMS mount I'm selling for $450

Hoopz87 · 04/08/2015, 06:49 PM

I actually just swapped my kessil a360 for a kessil g3 xr30 pro And you do still get some shimmer from the radion, so don't let that be your only deciding factor, the radion is a lot more powerful as far as par goes imo. I still have not figured out the radion too well because its quite a bit more complicated than just turning a dial. I feel as if once I find a great color scheme for my radion I will like it more. Kessils are very aesthetically appealing as well though. Also im not sure one xr15 will be enough, you may just want to shell out the extra few hundred on the upgrade abs go big with the xr30 or xr30pro There's a bunch of people on Long Island where I'm from selling brand new radion xr30 G3 pros for 600 even ....

SparkyTuna · 04/09/2015, 02:26 AM

Just went thru that decision myself. I could not decide between the two. After a week of research I went with the Radion xr30 pro. Looks amazing, love the programming, crazy colors on coral, and still has a nice shimmer.

03/31/2015, 03:20 PM	#1
Mrs Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MA Posts: 55	Kessel 360w or Radion XR15w Pro ? I REALLY like the Kessel 360w for my new setup (it's so new, I don't have it yet ... but I'm not new to reef tanks ... LOL) ... but I am just a little put off that there's no moonlight mode. Does anyone have the Radion XR15w Pro ... which seems comparible and has a moonlight mode. I know it's a lot more money, but I'm getting back in for the second time with the benefit of MANY PAST MISTAKES that I don't want to repeat! I'd rather have a more expensive light that is right than have to replace it a year later ... Hopefully that makes sense to experienced reefers !! Sue

03/31/2015, 04:44 PM	#4
calhoun.22 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Northern CA Posts: 117	Aaaarrrrgggg!!!! Darn it! You just had to ask this question I have been going around in circles for months about which light to get for my 60gal rimless cube build. I thought I had come to a decision and have finally saved enough to purchase a Kessil A360W-E along with a Spectral Controller. I do like the idea of the "shimmer" provided by the Kessils and I think I like the look of the Kessil fixtures more than the Radions. BUT!!! With the controller built into the Radion (therefore actually costing less), AND the possibility of moon lighting with the Radion, I think I am back at square one. Of course now I have the money burning a whole in my pocket so it is even more frustrating. __________________ Current Tank Info: 29gal Coralife BioCube Current Tank Info: 60 Cube w/ 40B sump, Radion XR15 pro

04/01/2015, 07:49 PM	#7
Hentz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,016	What tank is this going over? If you choose the XR15 Pro, I've got one BNIB with an RMS mount I'm selling for $450 __________________ A Reef in the Desert: 120 Gallon (4x2x2) - MP40 x2 - Gyre 130 - ATI Sunpower - Simplicity Pump/Skimmer - Controlled by Apex

04/09/2015, 02:26 AM	#9
SparkyTuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Coal Creek, Colorado Posts: 103	Just went thru that decision myself. I could not decide between the two. After a week of research I went with the Radion xr30 pro. Looks amazing, love the programming, crazy colors on coral, and still has a nice shimmer. __________________ ..... Current Tank Info: IM NUVO Fusion 40, MP10wES, Maxspect Gyre XF130, Tunze Osmolator 3155, 2 IM AUQA Gadget CustomCaddy, AquaMaxx HOB-1, Radion XR30w Gen3 Pro, IM AUQA Gadget MagnaFuge Refugium Light, Eheim Jäger 150w

03/31/2015, 03:33 PM	#2
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	To begin, pricing I've seen one is $399 (Kessil, no controller), the other $449 (controller built in).. I'll let ohers fight out pros and cons though..

03/31/2015, 03:59 PM	#3
parrthed Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 435	I've had both and like the Radion colors much better. Plus I think its way brighter and offers better controlability.

03/31/2015, 05:22 PM	#5
Mrs Fish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MA Posts: 55	I have maybe decided in the Radion 30w pro ... Just waiting to see what price they will do for everything all in one.

04/01/2015, 06:00 PM	#6
oreo57 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 1,793	bump for more data

04/08/2015, 06:49 PM	#8
Hoopz87 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 414	I actually just swapped my kessil a360 for a kessil g3 xr30 pro And you do still get some shimmer from the radion, so don't let that be your only deciding factor, the radion is a lot more powerful as far as par goes imo. I still have not figured out the radion too well because its quite a bit more complicated than just turning a dial. I feel as if once I find a great color scheme for my radion I will like it more. Kessils are very aesthetically appealing as well though. Also im not sure one xr15 will be enough, you may just want to shell out the extra few hundred on the upgrade abs go big with the xr30 or xr30pro There's a bunch of people on Long Island where I'm from selling brand new radion xr30 G3 pros for 600 even ....