Kessil alone or Kessil + Blades?

[Ironfish]

Im sure there are some reefers who already went through this question and I'd like to read your experiences.

Tank is a RS Reefer 1000. 260gal (1000lts) mixed reef but SPS heavy.
Tank is 210cm (roughly 83in) long and 68cm (roughly 27in) wide.
I already have 3x Kessil AP9X (hanging) and now that corals are growing more I started having some shades issues. So I decided to add some more light to the tank, and after looking at what's out there my options are 2: (since Im keeping my Kessils and not moving to a complete different set of lamps, ie Radions or ATI)

- Get 2 more AP9X for a total of 5.
Easy, I hang the extra 2s and move the other 3 so I get a more complete coverage.
This is also the cheaper option. 2x lamps and 2x sets of hangers.

- Get some AI Blades for the front and the back and leave the Kessils in the middle. If I go this way Ill need some more recommendations.
Do I get only Grows? Or should I get Grows and Glows?
The longest are 66in, I could go for one in the front and one in the back. (Not full length coverage)
Or I could go with 4x 39in, two in the front and 2 in the back. (lamps will overlap the euro brace but Ill get coverage side to side)
Does anyone make a hybrid Kessil+Blade mount? Any other ideas on how to hang them?

Thanks all!

 

[KrisReef]

I like my Kessil AX9, I have two over a temporary set up and they kept the coral happy and looking good. I would get two more, having used them myself and in your situation they are a thrifty option and easier to install, so it’s a no brainer from my corner.

If you want a different look in the tank then adding the blades is in the middle will give you another look, the blade is also a good lantern but getting a n even coverage may be more challenging?

 

[DanielJameS]

I have 3 Kessil a360xs with the 57” blade grow. At one point I was debating switching to Ap9xs and actually bought one to try in my canopy. I didn’t end up liking it as much as I thought. After running the blade for over a year, I’d have a hard time going back. It does an incredible job filling in the gaps and contrast from the Kessils Plus it significantly smooths out the shimmer. It’s a little bit of the best of both worlds in my opinion because I still get the Kessil shimmer with the blade off during the ramp up/down periods. Obviously with the AP9xs PAR is not a concern for you, but the blade does pack a punch. I’m currently in the market to add a second one, probably a glow to get more “uv” to fill out the spectrum.

If coverage is what you’re after, more blanket lighting akin to T5’s as a supplement, I’d personally go with 2 blades over more Ap9xs.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I love my blades, Two grows front and back, in combination with a XR30. For my needs the grows are just perfect, the Glows as said before have a bit of UV in them. They will pack a punch, so they are more than just a fill light. So have a par meter on hand or start them low and acclimate your tank. For mounting, the hybrid kit is pretty versatile. I also heard Adaptive Reef has a tilt mount.
The blades are probably the closest thing to a LED version of a T5

 

[twentyleagues]

For fill light in your tank I'd go with the blades. I think the grow would be a perfect option in this scenario. Like other have said its very much like t5 for coverage and they absolutely have the punch to boot.