Kessil AP700 vs ReefBreeders Photon v2

[Angelo Fatica]

Hello all. I recently bought a used AP700 fixture off of eBay and unfortunately the white LEDs do not work on one of the pucks. After this, I found another AP700 on eBay to try out and I am now questioning if it’s the right choice for my tank.

My tank is 48lx20wx18h and is currently run by two AI Prime 16HDs. It is a mixed reef and isn’t doing so bad. My main concern is that I do not have enough light coverage/spread and am experiencing some shadows on my sps sticks. This has caused the tissue to just lose color or die off in the shaded areas. This is why I was on the search for a new light fixture in the first place. I should note I do not want t5.

I absolutely love the look of the kessil lights and the color is awesome from them and the AP700 has a very impressive spread to me and I think it would work on my tank. My concern before ordering another one is that the shading could very well be even worse under this fixture because of the small point source puck styles. My question is does this light provide an actually nice blanket of light when mounted high enough? It has already surprised me with the ability to cover a 4 ft area with relatively good par.

I also have found a ReefBreeders Photon v2 48 fixture for roughly the same price as the kessil. Now this fixture would more likely fit my needs and concerns, but I have never seen one in person and I am worried about not liking the color and coral pop as much as the kessil. The upside to this light is that it is a very even blanket of light and will provide much better spread and coverage than the kessil.

I guess what am asking is for someone to convince me off of the kessil fixture if it’s needed! Assuming par is not a concern with these lights, which is the better option objectively? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have used a lot of different led fixtures over the years. I even worked for a couple of years with Ocean Revive. We always considered Reef Breeders as our biggest competitor (best fixture value in the market). When I left Ocean Revive I started using Reef Breeders fixtures. The colors are so controllable you almost can't go wrong.

I've had almost zero issues with them, and Logan (the owner) did great customer service with the issue I had.

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I have used a lot of different led fixtures over the years. I even worked for a couple of years with Ocean Revive. We always considered Reef Breeders as our biggest competitor (best fixture value in the market). When I left Ocean Revive I started using Reef Breeders fixtures. The colors are so controllable you almost can't go wrong.

I've had almost zero issues with them, and Logan (the owner) did great customer service with the issue I had.

Could I see some photos of it running on your tank? How does the fixture make your corals look? Do you get good coloration and pop with it?

 

[Dburr1014]

Could I see some photos of it running on your tank? How does the fixture make your corals look? Do you get good coloration and pop with it?

48"(really 43") photon. Older photos is my 75g and now sits on my 150g with a 60"x24" footprint. I added 4 T5 for better coverage.


Here are some older photos.

 

[X-37B]

I have 2 50's on my ext 170 and just bought a 24 for a RS 170.
I run 3 xr15's on my ext 50.
The photons and tank are 4 months old.

 

[Dburr1014]

Top down shots
At 80% blues, 40% whites, I have 400 par 8" below water line mounted 8" above water line.
My fixture is 8 years and 5 months old.

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I have 2 50's on my ext 170 and just bought a 24 for a RS 170.
I run 3 xr15's on my ext 50.
The photons and tank are 4 months old.

Absolutely awesome. Can’t find shadowing if I tried!

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Top down shots
At 80% blues, 40% whites, I have 400 par 8" below water line mounted 8" above water line.
My fixture is 8 years and 5 months old.

The proof is in the pudding here!

 

[VintageReefer]

Go to my tank thread and just scroll through pictures. I use photon 48v2 over a standard 48” 75g tank.

Full tank coverage front to back, end to end

 

[VintageReefer]

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Go to my tank thread and just scroll through pictures. I use photon 48v2 over a standard 48” 75g tank.

Full tank coverage front to back, end to end

Are you supplementing with any other lights? Colors look great.

 

[VintageReefer]

Are you supplementing with any other lights? Colors look great.

Thank you! It’s an excellent light. I only need to run at 40-45% and get 300 par at the top of my shelves /rocks

Supplement? Nope

 

[VintageReefer]

If you ever wanted to supplement…if you had a fully packed sps tank and branches everywhere and started getting shadowing, the photons have built in mount bolts on the front and back to hold led bars. probably never be needed. But nice to know if you ever did need it, you won’t need to buy hanging kits. Or figure out how to incorporate the led bars

 

[exnisstech]

I considered the kessil but opted for the photon because I prefer a panel vs Puck. I think maybe better coverage but also less light spill. You can really make the corals pop with most decent lights on the market but I tend to run a bit more white than many.

2 photon 32s here

And a single 24 here

 

[Lonely reefer's]

IMO, you probably like kessil more than reefbreeders for colors. Reefbreeders for coverage.