26g tank light: Prime, Hydra 26 HD or Kessil?

maomig · 11/13/2015, 06:10 PM

Hello everybody,

I am setting up a new 26g tank. Measures are 20"x16"x20" high. I have everything, the only thing missing is the fixture. I've been thinking and struggling about it for the last month or so, going from chinese multi-spectrum lights to costly high end and high power fixture.

Actually, I restricted the filed of choice to the following:

- AI Hydra 26 HD;
- AI Prime;
- Kessil A160WE;
- Kessil A360WE.

I know that this kind of question may have been asked thousands times on this forum, and I read quite a variety of them but I really cannot make my mind up on the differences between AI and Kessil or the level of power needed for my tank (Prime vs Hydra or 160 vs 360) given that I want to grow everything, including sps.

As for prices, here in Europe (I am from Italy), they are as follows:

- Prime: 285$
- Hydra 26 HD: 430$
- Kessil A160WE: 300$
- Kessil A360WE: 495$

All of them without mounting kit/brackets and before shipping cost. Controllability could be a plus but not a crucial requirement while my preferred budget would be around 300$, meaning that I wouldn't want to spend 500$ for a fixture which is an overkill for my tank where I could have spent 200$ less and reach the same results.

What would you recommend?

Thank you

ghostman · 11/13/2015, 08:41 PM

My zero edge tank is similar in size to yours, but shallower in depth. I've tried the Prime, Hydra26HD, and Kessil A360WE on the tank. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The Prime was perfect size and coverage, but I felt it was underpowered for SPS. This was just my opinion based on frags from my display. The Kessil 360WE has a gorgeous ripple effect and great blue light. I really enjoyed the kessil and controller, but felt some of the colors looked washed out with the white end of the spectrum. I found myself only using the blues with little white. I used to own a Kessil 350, and liked that color better. I currently use the Hydra26HD, and am finally happy with the results. The wifi app of the hydra ( and the Prime ) is superior to buying an external controller, and the color options are very pleasing to my eye.
IMO, in summary-Prime might be underpowered for SPS, but color and wifi is great. Hydra26HD has great color and wifi, and Kessil needs a controller and the color is personal taste. I hope that helps.

maomig · 11/14/2015, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostman

My zero edge tank is similar in size to yours, but shallower in depth. I've tried the Prime, Hydra26HD, and Kessil A360WE on the tank. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The Prime was perfect size and coverage, but I felt it was underpowered for SPS. This was just my opinion based on frags from my display. The Kessil 360WE has a gorgeous ripple effect and great blue light. I really enjoyed the kessil and controller, but felt some of the colors looked washed out with the white end of the spectrum. I found myself only using the blues with little white. I used to own a Kessil 350, and liked that color better. I currently use the Hydra26HD, and am finally happy with the results. The wifi app of the hydra ( and the Prime ) is superior to buying an external controller, and the color options are very pleasing to my eye.
IMO, in summary-Prime might be underpowered for SPS, but color and wifi is great. Hydra26HD has great color and wifi, and Kessil needs a controller and the color is personal taste. I hope that helps.

Thank you. Direct experiences is what I was looking for and you confirmed my doubts on the three fixtures. I also felt that Prime and A160we could be underpowered for sps in this tank. Whereas another doubt I have on the A360 is the shadowing related on the single source light. Concerning the controller, surely controllability here is lower than on the AI, my idea was trying to control it by my IKS system via the SIMMOD module (is a 0-10v controller) although you can act only on two parameters). Concerning Hydra26, I think it is the more logical choice although I am fascinated by the lamp form factor and shimmer of the A360. Plus, I cannot hang the fixture anywhere and the gooseneck support is a plus to me. But hydra cost less so, I will try to make my mind up....

moondoggy4 · 11/14/2015, 10:39 AM

What about the Eco Tech XR15 with the arm to hold it,

moondoggy4 · 11/14/2015, 10:41 AM

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ecotec...ng-system.html Something like this.

maomig · 11/14/2015, 01:15 PM

Thanks for your advice. The XR15pro here is priced 540$ the fixture alone. For that price, I would rather go for the hydra 26 that is more powerful. The XR15 non pro is priced significantly less but I don't know if it could be enough for my tank.

I was also thinking to start with one Prime and then add another one in case I see I need more light....

maomig · 11/14/2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maomig

Thanks for your advice. The XR15pro here is priced 540$ the fixture alone. For that price, I would rather go for the hydra 26 that is more powerful. The XR15 non pro is priced significantly less but I don't know if it could be enough for my tank.

I was also thinking to start with one Prime and then add another one in case I see I need more light....

Same for the Kessil a160we, I could start with one and add a second one if needed

ghostman · 11/14/2015, 02:20 PM

There are a lot of options open to you. When I had 1 Prime, I did think about adding another in the future. But basically 2 primes are a single hydra (regular), so why not have one fixture? I would have purchased a used hydra26 and been happy, but the wifi controller and ability to give more power to the colors I use of the HD were very appealing to me. I made a wall mount kit for the hydra26HD that is nice. The gooseneck of the Kessil isn't as flexible as i thought. It is actually quite stiff. Just some more things to think about.

maomig · 11/15/2015, 02:07 AM

Thank you. At the moment, although is the most logical choice, I ma not leaning towards the hydra 26. I cannot drill the ceiling or the back wall, and I think the Hydra mounting system is simply illogical, since in order to have the fixture illuminating the length of the tank you should attach it on one side, but in my case the tank will be visible on both sides.
The best looking fixture and hanging kit for me is the Prime. Lots of reviews say that it could cover alone my tank although I've always seen it on soft or lps tanks. That's why I was thinking to try with one and adding a second one in case this would be insufficient. Although, as you said, I think one prime is not enough for sps and one hydra is better than 2 primes (and cost less). I am still undecided, maybe all for all the kessil 360 is the best compromise, although costy.

ghostman · 11/15/2015, 10:08 AM

I understand your dilemma. Have you seen a Kessil light in person? Many people love the look, and some people think the shimmer lines are too much and drives them crazy. I personally love the shimmer of the Kessils. I'm unfamiliar with the control system you're thinking about using, but the Kessils have 2 controls-one for color and one for output. Kessils also do not go below 10% for moonlight if that interests you. I'm to trying to confuse or steer you one way or the other, just giving you hands on experiences.

maomig · 11/15/2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostman

I understand your dilemma. Have you seen a Kessil light in person? Many people love the look, and some people think the shimmer lines are too much and drives them crazy. I personally love the shimmer of the Kessils. I'm unfamiliar with the control system you're thinking about using, but the Kessils have 2 controls-one for color and one for output. Kessils also do not go below 10% for moonlight if that interests you. I'm to trying to confuse or steer you one way or the other, just giving you hands on experiences.

Ok, thank you again. Part of the dilemma has been solved earlier this afternoon: finally I found a decent looking and quite useful tank-edge brackets:

http://it.aliexpress.com/item/Easype...Number=1604040

they are sold also in the US for 12$ !!!

So the hanging problem is solved. I have one question for you: with the hydra are the colors blending or you could see colored spot/areas on the aquarium bottom?

In fact, I was never 100% convinced that different led of different colors only for the fact of being placed roughly one close to the other could produced a perfectly blended light. Kessil makes me think that they got closer to achieve that.

Unfortunately I've never seen any Kessil live. I think in Italy no-one has it since it is not sold. If I want it, I should purchase it from Germany, Switzerland, UK or directly from the USA. I also think though that despite the fact its light is the best as for quality, it produces "too much" shimmer and shadows, which is fine on a real reef but not so good on a few inches aquarium filled with fishes and corals.

ghostman · 11/15/2015, 12:36 PM

Glad you have your hanging issue solved. The lights on the hydra26HD that I have do not spotlight and cause the "disco effect". It appears that the LEDs have a diffusing lens on them so the colors blend well.
The Kessil is a beautiful and great light, but I never found the perfect color for my eyes. The blue end is covered well, but I couldn't find a blend of white/blue that I liked. I like to make "white" light by mixing blue/red/green instead of using the cool whites. Pacific Sun fixtures do this, and I like the color blend. Good luck. Post some pics!!!!

11/13/2015, 06:10 PM	#1
maomig Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Italy (Rome) Posts: 10	26g tank light: Prime, Hydra 26 HD or Kessil? Hello everybody, I am setting up a new 26g tank. Measures are 20"x16"x20" high. I have everything, the only thing missing is the fixture. I've been thinking and struggling about it for the last month or so, going from chinese multi-spectrum lights to costly high end and high power fixture. Actually, I restricted the filed of choice to the following: - AI Hydra 26 HD; - AI Prime; - Kessil A160WE; - Kessil A360WE. I know that this kind of question may have been asked thousands times on this forum, and I read quite a variety of them but I really cannot make my mind up on the differences between AI and Kessil or the level of power needed for my tank (Prime vs Hydra or 160 vs 360) given that I want to grow everything, including sps. As for prices, here in Europe (I am from Italy), they are as follows: - Prime: 285$ - Hydra 26 HD: 430$ - Kessil A160WE: 300$ - Kessil A360WE: 495$ All of them without mounting kit/brackets and before shipping cost. Controllability could be a plus but not a crucial requirement while my preferred budget would be around 300$, meaning that I wouldn't want to spend 500$ for a fixture which is an overkill for my tank where I could have spent 200$ less and reach the same results. What would you recommend? Thank you

11/13/2015, 08:41 PM	#2
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	My zero edge tank is similar in size to yours, but shallower in depth. I've tried the Prime, Hydra26HD, and Kessil A360WE on the tank. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The Prime was perfect size and coverage, but I felt it was underpowered for SPS. This was just my opinion based on frags from my display. The Kessil 360WE has a gorgeous ripple effect and great blue light. I really enjoyed the kessil and controller, but felt some of the colors looked washed out with the white end of the spectrum. I found myself only using the blues with little white. I used to own a Kessil 350, and liked that color better. I currently use the Hydra26HD, and am finally happy with the results. The wifi app of the hydra ( and the Prime ) is superior to buying an external controller, and the color options are very pleasing to my eye. IMO, in summary-Prime might be underpowered for SPS, but color and wifi is great. Hydra26HD has great color and wifi, and Kessil needs a controller and the color is personal taste. I hope that helps. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

11/14/2015, 02:20 PM	#8
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	There are a lot of options open to you. When I had 1 Prime, I did think about adding another in the future. But basically 2 primes are a single hydra (regular), so why not have one fixture? I would have purchased a used hydra26 and been happy, but the wifi controller and ability to give more power to the colors I use of the HD were very appealing to me. I made a wall mount kit for the hydra26HD that is nice. The gooseneck of the Kessil isn't as flexible as i thought. It is actually quite stiff. Just some more things to think about. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

11/15/2015, 10:08 AM	#10
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	I understand your dilemma. Have you seen a Kessil light in person? Many people love the look, and some people think the shimmer lines are too much and drives them crazy. I personally love the shimmer of the Kessils. I'm unfamiliar with the control system you're thinking about using, but the Kessils have 2 controls-one for color and one for output. Kessils also do not go below 10% for moonlight if that interests you. I'm to trying to confuse or steer you one way or the other, just giving you hands on experiences. __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

11/15/2015, 12:36 PM	#12
ghostman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 1,629	Glad you have your hanging issue solved. The lights on the hydra26HD that I have do not spotlight and cause the "disco effect". It appears that the LEDs have a diffusing lens on them so the colors blend well. The Kessil is a beautiful and great light, but I never found the perfect color for my eyes. The blue end is covered well, but I couldn't find a blend of white/blue that I liked. I like to make "white" light by mixing blue/red/green instead of using the cool whites. Pacific Sun fixtures do this, and I like the color blend. Good luck. Post some pics!!!! __________________ When you die, you don't know you're dead. It's only difficult for the people around you. It's the same when you're stupid. Current Tank Info: 40IM Fusion, 40lbs of rock, and 20lbs of sand. Just a few fish and corals....for now.

11/14/2015, 10:39 AM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	What about the Eco Tech XR15 with the arm to hold it,

11/14/2015, 10:41 AM	#5
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ecotec...ng-system.html Something like this.

11/14/2015, 01:15 PM	#6
maomig Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Italy (Rome) Posts: 10	Thanks for your advice. The XR15pro here is priced 540$ the fixture alone. For that price, I would rather go for the hydra 26 that is more powerful. The XR15 non pro is priced significantly less but I don't know if it could be enough for my tank. I was also thinking to start with one Prime and then add another one in case I see I need more light....

11/15/2015, 02:07 AM	#9
maomig Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Italy (Rome) Posts: 10	Thank you. At the moment, although is the most logical choice, I ma not leaning towards the hydra 26. I cannot drill the ceiling or the back wall, and I think the Hydra mounting system is simply illogical, since in order to have the fixture illuminating the length of the tank you should attach it on one side, but in my case the tank will be visible on both sides. The best looking fixture and hanging kit for me is the Prime. Lots of reviews say that it could cover alone my tank although I've always seen it on soft or lps tanks. That's why I was thinking to try with one and adding a second one in case this would be insufficient. Although, as you said, I think one prime is not enough for sps and one hydra is better than 2 primes (and cost less). I am still undecided, maybe all for all the kessil 360 is the best compromise, although costy.