Phillips coral care versus Kessil AP9x for 240gallon tank

[starrynight99]

Hi everyone, we are building our first tank and thinking about which light to get.

We would like a mixed reef tank. The dimensions are 2.4meters W x 75cm H x 56cm D

Looking at 3 X Phillips coral care gen 2 versus 2 x Kessil AP9X. Would the amount of light be sufficient for the coverage? According to specs, it should be just enough for a mixed reef tank.

Thanks for the help.

 

[areefer01]

Just so you know those two light kits will have a very different default spectrum. If you are drawn towards the more blue spectrum then the Coral Care Gen 2's are not the right kit for you. They are are more natural looking light as it relates to spectrum.

Something to think about if you haven't already.

 

[mfinn]

I really do like my Coral Care gen 2 fixtures. On the bluest program, it was very similar to my ATI T5 using Blue Plus bulbs. I really love the fact that they are totally silent. I use 2 fixtures over my 240 softy tank.
I did add a pair of Reef Brite XHO's for some added blue pop.

 

[bobnicaragua]

The coral care are hands down better coverage for your SPS.

 

[Bpb]

They are about as fundamentally different as can be. For sps dominant I’d lean toward coral cares, though the kessils would be far more visually appealing.

 

[starrynight99]

They are about as fundamentally different as can be. For sps dominant I’d lean toward coral cares, though the kessils would be far more visually appealing.

thanks for your response. Can you explain why they are so fundamentally different? I am very new to this. I think we will be leaning towards mix reef.

Also, do you think the amount of lighting I have specified above would be sufficient for the size of the tank?

 

[Rit6942]

The Kessil lights IMO bring out a much more natural punch in corals imo. No disco ball effect...........the proprietry dense matrix array is a very complet light........no t5s needed

 

[Bpb]

thanks for your response. Can you explain why they are so fundamentally different? I am very new to this. I think we will be leaning towards mix reef.

Also, do you think the amount of lighting I have specified above would be sufficient for the size of the tank?

The kessils are dense bright point sources of light whereas the coral cares are large panels of diffused soft light. One will fill the shade better and imitate fluorescent lighting a lot closer (coral care), the other will look alot sharper, with stronger areas of contrast and dramatic shimmer lines (kessil). Under the kessils the tank will look far more “alive” and the coral care will look flatter in appearance (though that flatness comes with a benefit to corals by filling light in all their nooks, reducing self-shading).

Far as is it enough? It’s enough for soft corals and lower light requiring lps corals. Once you decide to get more stony corals, clams, or anemones you’ll likely want to expand to get more light overlap