Experiences with Kessil vs. Radion

GingerMurse18 · 06/14/2018, 11:04 PM

I finally convinced the wife to let me have my dream tank. So i am putting together a 150gal SPS dominant tank. I have used Kessils in the past and had little to no issues, but it was mainly an LPS tank. Been reading reviews of both the XR30W G4 and Kessil A360W, now I am unable to decide. Are radion's worth the $$? Are people really seeing failures in the Kessils within a year or two? Thank you for your opinions and time.

lancesmith1 · 06/15/2018, 11:26 AM

if I were doing LED only, I would strongly consider the Orphek Atlantik. If hybrid with T5 the others will work.

slief · 06/15/2018, 11:37 AM

I've run Kessil 360WE's for a number of years and never had a failure. I had 10 of them running at one point.

Tough call between the two. The Kessils do a great job in growing corals as do the Radions. I personally love the Kessils due to their simplicity, output and shimmer but the Radions have one advantage in that they have lots of control over the color channels where as the Kessils just allow control between white and blue. That control does kind of complicate things a bit when it comes to setup and tuning. On the flip side, two Kessil 360WE's will provide more spread than a single XR30 which is something to consider.

You might also take a look at the GHL Mitras LX7206's. When I upgraded my lighting on my main system, I chose the LX7's over the Radion Pro G4's due to better spread, less disco effect, more even light distribution coupled with a very similar mix of diodes. That said, I could have used a couple more over my display so I am currently running a mix of Kessils and Mitras.

That said, between the 360WE's and the Radions, both are great lights and are very capable, reliable and backed with great service and support.

GingerMurse18 · 06/15/2018, 01:46 PM

Thank you all for the Advice. So many options that are really good. Being a ICU nurse i am very OCD and this makes it hard to choose. So i tha k you for taking the time to share your expirences.

PeterHall · 06/15/2018, 02:10 PM

Both are great lights. I personally have radion gen 3s over my 300. But ive set up friends tanks with a kessil 160 and ap700. They all look great. Have you decided on tank dimensions? That plays a huge factor on picking your lights. My tank 36inch wide so i have the radions two deep. I also bought them used for around $250 each so if you have the time start keeping an eye out for deals.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Conchman · 06/15/2018, 03:04 PM

I think both are great lights. I am running a single Radion Gen 15 Pro on my SCA 60. I will upgrade that to a 30, then move the 15 to a soon to be setup frag tank. On my older tank I had a Radion 30 Gen 1, they are work horses...

ca1ore · 06/15/2018, 03:47 PM

I actually run both over my 450. I did have one 360 fail, but it was within the 2 year warranty period so K replaced it. I think either can grow inverts just fine. I have a slight preference for the Radion as my main light, but could live with either. The one thing that does annoy me about the R30 is that the fans are on 24/7.

lokmar · 06/16/2018, 12:01 PM

I've owned both and like the results/colors with the Radeons a bit better. The other thing is I think the Radeon has better cooling.

I do have a Kessil for the refuge and it grows algae like nothing else! Before I had the Eshopps Refugium light and it was worthless.

smatter · 06/16/2018, 01:01 PM

For color blending and the most natural look I'd choose Kessil. I have a few different puck style lights that have all ended up on the equipment heap in the cellar. Total control over every single color is a detriment not an advantage in my book. The Kessil form factor is also very minimalist and elegant.

sarcophytonIndy · 06/16/2018, 02:40 PM

Absolutely love 360WE's with Apex controller. I adjust the intensity and color (blue-white) to simulate dawn, day, dusk.

View Poll Results: If you where me, what would you buy
Kessil A360	8	47.06%
Radion XR30W G4	9	52.94%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

06/14/2018, 11:04 PM	#1
GingerMurse18 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Springfield, mo Posts: 2	Experiences with Kessil vs. Radion I finally convinced the wife to let me have my dream tank. So i am putting together a 150gal SPS dominant tank. I have used Kessils in the past and had little to no issues, but it was mainly an LPS tank. Been reading reviews of both the XR30W G4 and Kessil A360W, now I am unable to decide. Are radion's worth the $$? Are people really seeing failures in the Kessils within a year or two? Thank you for your opinions and time.

06/15/2018, 11:37 AM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I've run Kessil 360WE's for a number of years and never had a failure. I had 10 of them running at one point. Tough call between the two. The Kessils do a great job in growing corals as do the Radions. I personally love the Kessils due to their simplicity, output and shimmer but the Radions have one advantage in that they have lots of control over the color channels where as the Kessils just allow control between white and blue. That control does kind of complicate things a bit when it comes to setup and tuning. On the flip side, two Kessil 360WE's will provide more spread than a single XR30 which is something to consider. You might also take a look at the GHL Mitras LX7206's. When I upgraded my lighting on my main system, I chose the LX7's over the Radion Pro G4's due to better spread, less disco effect, more even light distribution coupled with a very similar mix of diodes. That said, I could have used a couple more over my display so I am currently running a mix of Kessils and Mitras. That said, between the 360WE's and the Radions, both are great lights and are very capable, reliable and backed with great service and support. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

06/15/2018, 03:47 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I actually run both over my 450. I did have one 360 fail, but it was within the 2 year warranty period so K replaced it. I think either can grow inverts just fine. I have a slight preference for the Radion as my main light, but could live with either. The one thing that does annoy me about the R30 is that the fans are on 24/7. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

06/15/2018, 11:26 AM	#2
lancesmith1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: chattanooga, tn Posts: 54	if I were doing LED only, I would strongly consider the Orphek Atlantik. If hybrid with T5 the others will work.

06/15/2018, 01:46 PM	#4
GingerMurse18 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Springfield, mo Posts: 2	Thank you all for the Advice. So many options that are really good. Being a ICU nurse i am very OCD and this makes it hard to choose. So i tha k you for taking the time to share your expirences.

06/15/2018, 02:10 PM	#5
PeterHall Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Pacific Palisades, CA Posts: 199	Both are great lights. I personally have radion gen 3s over my 300. But ive set up friends tanks with a kessil 160 and ap700. They all look great. Have you decided on tank dimensions? That plays a huge factor on picking your lights. My tank 36inch wide so i have the radions two deep. I also bought them used for around $250 each so if you have the time start keeping an eye out for deals. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

06/15/2018, 03:04 PM	#6
Conchman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 56	I think both are great lights. I am running a single Radion Gen 15 Pro on my SCA 60. I will upgrade that to a 30, then move the 15 to a soon to be setup frag tank. On my older tank I had a Radion 30 Gen 1, they are work horses...

06/16/2018, 12:01 PM	#8
lokmar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Springfield, Il Posts: 95	I've owned both and like the results/colors with the Radeons a bit better. The other thing is I think the Radeon has better cooling. I do have a Kessil for the refuge and it grows algae like nothing else! Before I had the Eshopps Refugium light and it was worthless.

06/16/2018, 01:01 PM	#9
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	For color blending and the most natural look I'd choose Kessil. I have a few different puck style lights that have all ended up on the equipment heap in the cellar. Total control over every single color is a detriment not an advantage in my book. The Kessil form factor is also very minimalist and elegant.

06/16/2018, 02:40 PM	#10
sarcophytonIndy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 11	Absolutely love 360WE's with Apex controller. I adjust the intensity and color (blue-white) to simulate dawn, day, dusk.