Kessil vs Radion

[JCH]

Hello everyone! I’m looking for some opinions regarding Kessil lighting vs Radion lights. I’ve been battling slow coral growth for quite a while now. My corals look good and color is great. My water perimeters are very stable and within acceptable range. I’m running 2 Kessil 360’s at 95% for 9 hours of a 12 hour lighting period over a 70 gallon mixed reef. I’ve noticed on many YouTube videos that other hobbyists using Kessils are supplementing with some sort of strip lighting. Is this my problem?? I just got done building another system. It’s a 4 ft tank and 160 gallons. I decided to go with the Radion G6 30’s this time and I will just say WOW ! They kinda make the Kessils look bad ! Tanks only been up and running for a few weeks so no coral yet. I’ve been throwing so much cash at the hobby, I don’t really want to pop for a par meter now. So, if anyone out there has experience with both lights growing coral it would be great to hear your opinions!! They call me Big J !

 

[rongy]

I’ve only used Radion, but I always heard that Kessil gives better pop, and Radion provides better growth. Despite all that, I think most people also supplement Radion with LED bar. I’m running Radion with T5s

 

[Reefer Matt]

How old is the 70 gallon system? I had four kessil a360x lights by themselves in my 75 gallon sps tank for three years. I recently supplemented the kessils because the coral grew out and were getting shaded. I do suggest renting a par meter as well.

 

[Username:Required]

WWC came out with a good video on lighting recently might be nice to check it out. Reason I say that is cause in the video they talk about making changes and see how they react in the tank.

 

[areefer01]

Hello everyone! I’m looking for some opinions regarding Kessil lighting vs Radion lights. I’ve been battling slow coral growth for quite a while now. My corals look good and color is great. My water perimeters are very stable and within acceptable range. I’m running 2 Kessil 360’s at 95% for 9 hours of a 12 hour lighting period over a 70 gallon mixed reef. I’ve noticed on many YouTube videos that other hobbyists using Kessils are supplementing with some sort of strip lighting. Is this my problem?? I just got done building another system. It’s a 4 ft tank and 160 gallons. I decided to go with the Radion G6 30’s this time and I will just say WOW ! They kinda make the Kessils look bad ! Tanks only been up and running for a few weeks so no coral yet. I’ve been throwing so much cash at the hobby, I don’t really want to pop for a par meter now. So, if anyone out there has experience with both lights growing coral it would be great to hear your opinions!! They call me Big J !

You are comparing apples to oranges. The a360x coming in at 90 Watts vs. the G6 30 which is 215 Watts. Both have different form factors and spread. When I ran my 4 a360's I personally didn't use supplemental kits as I didn't want the hassle. More wires, connections, knobs or apps to deal with, etc. I understand each hobbyist is different and has different goals.

As corals mature in our display shading will happen. It is only natural just like trees in a forest be it maple or oak. This is why some would add supplemental light or add additional. Lighting is only one factor in a successful display.

 

[JCH]

You are comparing apples to oranges. The a360x coming in at 90 Watts vs. the G6 30 which is 215 Watts. Both have different form factors and spread. When I ran my 4 a360's I personally didn't use supplemental kits as I didn't want the hassle. More wires, connections, knobs or apps to deal with, etc. I understand each hobbyist is different and has different goals.

As corals mature in our display shading will happen. It is only natural just like trees in a forest be it maple or oak. This is why some would add supplemental light or add additional. Lighting is only one factor in a successful display.

Yeah I guess I figured the two Kessil lights over a 70 gallon would be plenty of light to grow coral . But now I’m beginning to think this is why my coral grows so slowly in comparison to the YouTube videos I’ve been watching. I mean my coral coloration is great, but just growing very slowly. Then I put the G6 xr30’s on the new tank at 60 % and it’s like a night and day difference! So yeah they have a lot more punch than the 360’s !

 

[JCH]

How old is the 70 gallon system? I had four kessil a360x lights by themselves in my 75 gallon sps tank for three years. I recently supplemented the kessils because the coral grew out and were getting shaded. I do suggest renting a par meter as well.

Wow 4 over a 75 gallon!! After hearing the feedback I’m getting that’s gotta be my problem? The tank is 18 months old. Very stable and I do have growth,, it’s just very slow in comparison to what I keep hearing on YouTube

 

[JCH]

I’ve only used Radion, but I always heard that Kessil gives better pop, and Radion provides better growth. Despite all that, I think most people also supplement Radion with LED bar. I’m running Radion with T5s

I think I’m seeing some supplemental lighting in my future for the kessils ! I’ll crank them up to 100% for now. Although they are at 95 now so might not have much effect?

 

[JCH]

WWC came out with a good video on lighting recently might be nice to check it out. Reason I say that is cause in the video they talk about making changes and see how they react in the tank.

Ohh yeah, I’ve seen that video. Had good info . I actually did turn my lights up a little after watching it

 

[areefer01]

Yeah I guess I figured the two Kessil lights over a 70 gallon would be plenty of light to grow coral . But now I’m beginning to think this is why my coral grows so slowly in comparison to the YouTube videos I’ve been watching. I mean my coral coloration is great, but just growing very slowly. Then I put the G6 xr30’s on the new tank at 60 % and it’s like a night and day difference! So yeah they have a lot more punch than the 360’s !

I'm not too sure I would get caught up in what you see on social media vs what you see in your display. My main point in my first reply was regarding the "wow" factor you saw when looking at your two tanks with different lighting. Water chemistry, stability, and basic husbandry are just as important which could impact coral growth.

Whatever you end up doing remember to go slow. If changing acclimate. If increasing small steps. Observe, repeat. There is a thing as too much light. Search on papers or presentations by Dana Riddle.

 

[rtparty]

As someone who ran both (360X and G4 Radion) for months before deciding, the Radion was the clear winner on almost every front.

The Radion has more control out of the box, better overall look, better looking shimmer (yep, I said it) and the G6 is even better than the G4.

The side with the Radion grew coralline better and faster, the shimmer wasn't crazy overpowering like the Kessil can be, and the couple corals I had under the Radion looked healthier overall.

None of this is to say the Kessil isn't a great light. It is. It was easier to hang, easier to control out of the box (just less control), and had the narrow reflector for more penetration if needed.


Kessils benefit a TON from added strip lights like the AI Blade or similar.

 

[Chris L]

Lots of great advice here. I currently have 1- Kessil 360x BLue on my waterbox 35.2. The acro growing directly below is doing great but my green slimer off to the side is mostly receiving light on the left side. I've noticed that the side that is not getting direct light is more dull. I do love the Kessil but want a more blanket light so i just received a XR30 Blue. I have a PAR meter so i'm going to match the PAR from one to the other and increase slightly.

 

[JCH]

I'm not too sure I would get caught up in what you see on social media vs what you see in your display. My main point in my first reply was regarding the "wow" factor you saw when looking at your two tanks with different lighting. Water chemistry, stability, and basic husbandry are just as important which could impact coral growth.

Whatever you end up doing remember to go slow. If changing acclimate. If increasing small steps. Observe, repeat. There is a thing as too much light. Search on papers or presentations by Dana Riddle.

Yeah I hear what you’re saying. I try to take all that into account. We see all these fantastic reef tanks on YouTube and so many make claims of all this growth with huge colonies of Acro in a matter of a year or two. Then I find myself chasing numbers. My tank is very stable but do adjust my dosing according to my testing . My numbers may not be 100% ideal but not far off. So, I found myself wondering about the Kessil lightning after firing up the 2 xr30’s on the new tank build . I’ve been bumping up the power on the Kessil a little at a time and the coral seems to like it but hasn’t really sped up the growth. None the less they are growing, just very slowly. Maybe I should stop watching the YouTube videos and it won’t frustrate me so much?? I’m an old retired guy with plenty of time to think about it and tinker with the tanks! Sometimes driving myself nuts with it !! Lol Thanks for your input really do appreciate it from everyone on here!!

 

[JCH]

As someone who ran both (360X and G4 Radion) for months before deciding, the Radion was the clear winner on almost every front.

The Radion has more control out of the box, better overall look, better looking shimmer (yep, I said it) and the G6 is even better than the G4.

The side with the Radion grew coralline better and faster, the shimmer wasn't crazy overpowering like the Kessil can be, and the couple corals I had under the Radion looked healthier overall.

None of this is to say the Kessil isn't a great light. It is. It was easier to hang, easier to control out of the box (just less control), and had the narrow reflector for more penetration if needed.


Kessils benefit a TON from added strip lights like the AI Blade or similar.

Yeah I guess like everything else, you get what you pay for and Reef lights are no exception. Perhaps a better comparison would be the 360 against the xr15 . I’m comparing 2 360’s to 2 xr30’s . Really no comparison there! I see online there is a bracket for adding strips to Kessils , like everything else,, they ain’t cheap!! I’ll put them in on my wish lists! Thanks for the feedback !

 

[TX_REEF]

as long as you’re comparing similar power fixtures, Radeon will yield more growth while kessil will yield superior color development. I recommend a combo of kessils and puck or bar fixtures for the best coloration and growth.

Check out 4:00 and onward in the below video…

 

[JCH]

as long as you’re comparing similar power fixtures, Radeon will yield more growth while kessil will yield superior color development. I recommend a combo of kessils and puck or bar fixtures for the best coloration and growth.

Check out 4:00 and onward in the below video…

Yeah that’s what I’m hearing from everyone. I’m pretty sure now that’s been my problem of slow growth cuz everything else checks out and I test every couple days . I’ll bump the kessils up to 100% for now until I find a good bracket and strip combo . Probably get some of those AI blades. Thanks!

 

[Crimsonphoenix]

I have 2 kessil 360s at about 50% and a 24 ich blade grow on my 65 seapora.

 

[goosemans]

Big factor for growth is having high flow, I consider flow to be even more important than lighting. I was getting ok growth from my birdnest but as soon as I pointed a powerhead at it, it took off like crazy.

 

[rtparty]

Big factor for growth is having high flow, I consider flow to be even more important than lighting. I was getting ok growth from my birdnest but as soon as I pointed a powerhead at it, it took off like crazy.

Flow is more important than lighting. A lot of corals can go weeks without light. They will be in rough shape but alive. Weeks without flow? Not a chance for the vast majority.

 

[rtparty]

Big factor for growth is having high flow, I consider flow to be even more important than lighting. I was getting ok growth from my birdnest but as soon as I pointed a powerhead at it, it took off like crazy.

Flow is more important than lighting. A lot of corals can go weeks without light. They will be in rough shape but alive. Weeks without flow? Not a chance for the vast majority.