G5 XR15 Blue vs. XR30 Blue : What's the difference and will one save you $$ over the other?

[ajm83]

I'd say that three AI Primes would be one of the best lighting options for a 3 foot SPS tank, assuming it's not an unusually tall 3 foot tank. Plus, they're probably one of the most cost effective options for lighting a 3 foot SPS tank too. The results that we got from our recent Prime 16 BRStv Investigates video over a 40 breeder, for example, were pretty impressive. You can see that video HERE.

Thanks, for the reply, I meant out of the XR15 and XR30 but this solution of using 3xPrimes is interesting.
Would that be a better solution than say, two XR15 blues (or a single or double XR30)?

 

[Superlightman]

I have them 20” above the water, and I have them currently at 60% intensity. I would say 4 for the tank size you are mentioning. These lights are powerful and very bright. Pics make them look very dark blue or very blue way more than what they are in person. You can also adjust the settings to add more white as well.

You have the blue or the pro?

 

[Jrod381]

You have the blue or the pro?

Blue

 

[SunnyX]

Thanks, for the reply, I meant out of the XR15 and XR30 but this solution of using 3xPrimes is interesting.
Would that be a better solution than say, two XR15 blues (or a single or double XR30)?

Hi! I went with two XR15 PRO's and they are plenty for my home office tank.

I am running these like halides, with almost all channels cranked to 100%. I do not like the blue look and prefer a much more natural and whiter spectrum.

36"x18"x18"

• 100 intensity. All channels run at 100% except red & green, both 30%
• Height of lighting over your water:
• RMS Arms(9”)
• Depth of water:
• 16" (rimless)
• Pumps or power heads running?
• Yes. Everything on.

Surface measurements(just under waterline) are listed in black text.

Rockworks highest point is 9” from the water surface.

 

[ajm83]

Hi! I went with two XR15 PRO's and they are plenty for my home office tank.

I am running these like halides, with almost all channels cranked to 100%. I do not like the blue look and prefer a much more natural and whiter spectrum.

36"x18"x18"

• 100 intensity. All channels run at 100% except red & green, both 30%
• Height of lighting over your water:
• RMS Arms(9”)
• Depth of water:
• 16" (rimless)
• Pumps or power heads running?
• Yes. Everything on.

Surface measurements(just under waterline) are listed in black text.

Rockworks highest point is 9” from the water surface.

Thanks buddy, that's really helpful. How are you finding the shimmer?

 

[SunnyX]

Thanks buddy, that's really helpful. How are you finding the shimmer?

The shimmer is nice. I do have a couple diffusers on order just to see what they look like. I dont notice the "disco-ball" effect and the lighting looks really good.

This is the first time I have run LED's. For 25+ years I ran MH, VHO, or T5's. When cranked up these LED's remind me very much of Metal halides with VHO or T5 supplements.

At 100% intensity on all channels it looks very much like an XM10K Metal halide with VHO Actinic blue bulbs. I dont believe many people run that combo but back in the day it was the gold standard.

Here is one of my setups running it back in 2005 with XM10K's and VHO supplement:

 

[Superlightman]

I run same befor

 

[Superlightman]

I was wrong my tanks is 150cm not 120cm . No I'm not sure if 2 xr15 would be enough. I not have corals close the windows so but i think 3probably would be better or two xr30? I have also glass in the middle in of the aquarium so I'm not sure if I can put a light just over it?

 

[Billldg]

@randyBRS , I am currently upgrading to a 72x30x24 tank, so I plan on using a hybrid as it would take a truck load of any LED's to light it for SPS, lol! I know you are a fan of multiple XR15's, would you say that 5 XR15 G5's in a hybrid setup should give me the spread needed for a SPS dominate tank?

 

[Bulk Reef Supply]

@randyBRS , I am currently upgrading to a 72x30x24 tank, so I plan on using a hybrid as it would take a truck load of any LED's to light it for SPS, lol! I know you are a fan of multiple XR15's, would you say that 5 XR15 G5's in a hybrid setup should give me the spread needed for a SPS dominate tank?

On the BRS160 (also 72" long), we run 5 of the Kessil A360X fixtures along with the four T5 bulbs. Given that both the XR15 and A360X are 90w fixtures, I think it's far to expect pretty similar results given the tests that we've run so far. In other words, yes, 5 XR15's paired with a T5 hybrid fixture will work out great for a 6' SPS dominant system. Randy is on a much deserved vacation right now, but when he's back, I believe the plan is to do an LED/T5 Hybrid investigates video

 

[Peppe]

On the BRS160 (also 72" long), we run 5 of the Kessil A360X fixtures along with the four T5 bulbs. Given that both the XR15 and A360X are 90w fixtures, I think it's far to expect pretty similar results given the tests that we've run so far. In other words, yes, 5 XR15's paired with a T5 hybrid fixture will work out great for a 6' SPS dominant system. Randy is on a much deserved vacation right now, but when he's back, I believe the plan is to do an LED/T5 Hybrid investigates video

it would be interesting to make a video on 4t5 hybrid settings plus led lamps such as kessil, radion or hydra on your standard 48x24 or 24x24 tanks.. it would also be nice to observe how the new kessil apx9 with sps behave if combined with the 4 t5 Hybrid fixture

 

[itsdebtosh]

@randyBRS Any recommendation for the new Red Sea S 1000 series tank? 4-5 XR30 blue or 6-8 XR15 blue? Or any other suggestion.

 

[Reefman71]

Yeah go with the Kessil a360x. I’ve got 4 XR15’s and they’re good lights. Mobius is terrible. You get the blue or pro with the Kessil. They also have a new light out now as well. The growth, the shimmer I get off my a360x is amazing.

 

[Bulk Reef Supply]

@randyBRS Any recommendation for the new Red Sea S 1000 series tank? 4-5 XR30 blue or 6-8 XR15 blue? Or any other suggestion.

Assuming that you're aiming for an SPS dominant setup and are running the lights perpendicular to the tank length, 5 XR30's will do the trick nicely. If you're going for more of a mixed reef or LPS reef, you can cut that number of lights down to 4.

 

[itsdebtosh]

Assuming that you're aiming for an SPS dominant setup and are running the lights perpendicular to the tank length, 5 XR30's will do the trick nicely. If you're going for more of a mixed reef or LPS reef, you can cut that number of lights down to 4.

Thank you!

 

[I.AM.MR.MIKE]

Hi! I went with two XR15 PRO's and they are plenty for my home office tank.

I am running these like halides, with almost all channels cranked to 100%. I do not like the blue look and prefer a much more natural and whiter spectrum.

36"x18"x18"

• 100 intensity. All channels run at 100% except red & green, both 30%
• Height of lighting over your water:
• RMS Arms(9”)
• Depth of water:
• 16" (rimless)
• Pumps or power heads running?
• Yes. Everything on.

Surface measurements(just under waterline) are listed in black text.

Rockworks highest point is 9” from the water surface.

Necro threader here - it would be nice if people with the G5 would give point intensity setting as well as schedule intensity setting.