What led lights to buy?

[camaro7019]

something affordable but something i dont have to buy new ones as i want to get into harder corals?

[Aquattro]

Most LED will grow SPS, as long as you have enough of them. Kessils make nice spots, AI Sol and Radions are nice pendants, Vertex is known as top of the line.
Affordable is a subjective phrase. I just bought 6 x AI sol, cost me about 2700.00 after taxes and controller. Some people buy that many Radions, runs them about 5000+. Vertex 260 line are on sale lots of places this month, a 4' fixture will run around 3000ish. If you go pendants (AI or Radion) you'll need at least 3, probably 4 units. Kessils you'll have to look up, don't know what they go for.
Reef Brite has some fixtures that are more affordable for lots of people, sold by Reef Supplies, one of our sponsors.
If you're handy, you can DIY some lights, Modular LED has all the bits you'd need. You'll save some money, spend some time.

Sorry, not an easy question you've asked

[burgerchow]

check out the new Kessil A350 . I'm waiting on a pair now. $399 each.
The only LED that is actually designed for reef aquariums.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by burgerchow

The only LED that is actually designed for reef aquariums.

Huh? Where did you get that bit of info?

[burgerchow]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Huh? Where did you get that bit of info?

from the Kessil site and a lot of other sites like Marine Depot.

The manufacturer of the led is Dicon, a division of Kessil.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by burgerchow

from the Kessil site and a lot of other sites like Marine Depot.

The manufacturer of the led is Dicon, a division of Kessil.

Orphek claim to have also developed their own LED as well. This would probably predate the Kessil not that it matters...

[mandyplo]

Hi, just purchased two kessil A350w's for my 4 foot tank (55gallon). It was mentioned that I would only need one but there would have been some spots without/lacking light so I went with two. Cost me $830 total for the two lights to be shipped to my doorstep.

They have been up an running for two weeks now and I must say they are everything I hoped for and I have started my shopping for coral now. they are both the black style. I think they also come in white. They give the shimmer effect I was longing for and both have the dimmable ability. Range from deep ocean blue to sky blue I think it's called? Both completely customizable. I don't know how many you would need in your tank probably 2-3 I'm assuming 2 would be enough as 2 is overkill for my 4 foot tank and we have them hanging a foot above the tank. I think one would have been enough but I must say I'm glad I went with the kessil I have no regrets and haven't had the feeling "damn should have gone with a different brand..." let me add this is my first set of tank lights purchased (other than the ones that came with my tank).

Everything I could have asked for. Highly recommended light!!!

[camaro7019]

haha i see that, i would want something i can mount to the tank not hang as its in my living room and that would look horrid, im looking for something thats black, thats what brought me to the ai sol's i am very handy so i can do a diy kit, is it worth it? or would i get better perfomance out of ai sols? and do i really need 3? or would 2 work

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by camaro7019

haha i see that, i would want something i can mount to the tank not hang as its in my living room and that would look horrid, im looking for something thats black, thats what brought me to the ai sol's i am very handy so i can do a diy kit, is it worth it? or would i get better perfomance out of ai sols? and do i really need 3? or would 2 work

The Sols are nice, I bought the black ones and I'm happy with them. If you want to mount them on tank, they have a rail kit you can buy, about 70 bucks for a 4'.
Yes, you'll need at least three. Probably 4 if you want to fill the tank with SPS one day.
I tried to get away with 3, that was a joke. I needed 6. I almost cheaped out and got 5, but that wouldn't have done it.
But, you can buy three now, add a fourth later if/when you need it.

[camaro7019]

also, how are the ai sol tank mounting kit? is it nice? ugly? or dont know