4 x G5 XR15 or 8 x PRIME 16HD for 120G SPS Tank?

[Saltees]

Just watched “BRS Investigates”.



Just asking...

How many of you would consider 8 x PRIME 16HD (440W) over 4 x G5 XR15 (420W) on 120G (4’x2’x2’) SPS dominated tank?

8 PRIME costs a tad more than 4 XR15, worth it?

Thanks!

 

[SunnyX]

I’d go with the XR15’s. I have two over a 36” tank and based on the PAR measurements should be able to keep SPS anywhere in the display. I am very happy with the fixtures and the entire tank is blanketed with light without a trace of shadowing.

 

[Saltees]

Personally I’m inclined towards XR15 too.

 

[Saltees]

I’d go with the XR15’s. I have two over a 36” tank and based on the PAR measurements should be able to keep SPS anywhere in the display. I am very happy with the fixtures and the entire tank is blanketed with light without a trace of shadowing.

Good to hear that...with diffuser or not?

 

[AZMSGT]

4 Radion = Pro: Less wires, less rigging to get over the tank. Con: lower spread
8 Primes = Pro: better spread of light, Con: more cords, building a rig to get them spread right.

In the long run spread > wiring in-connivence.

I’m not sure which set up is higher off the water but more height off the water is an advantage to me.

Personally, 3 radions and a T-5 hybrid is a much better way to go. (Wish I did this in the beginning)

Math wise, they are identical $1680 for 8 primes $210ea vs $1680 for 4 Radion 15xrG5 $420ea

Price difference might come from what rigging would cost.

 

[Saltees]

Looking at BRS PAR numbers at max...

4 x XR15 @ 8” BRS recommended height:

Versus

8 x PRIME 16HD @ 13” BRS recommend height:

 

[iambenfields]

XR15’s if for no other reason then because 8 of anything seems like overkill.

 

[AZMSGT]

Looking at BRS PAR numbers at max...

4 x XR15 @ 8” BRS recommended height:

Versus

8 x PRIME 16HD @ 13” BRS recommend height:

I honestly have issues with BRS layouts. Those are supposed to be top down views. How does on side read 544 and the other side 354. The par from one side compared to the other should be identical. The only explanation is there mount isn’t center or the lights are brighter on one side than the other. Something is off.

 

[SunnyX]

If it’s any help, here are the PAR numbers on my 36”x18”x18” setup with two XR15 PRO generation 5's.

please note that I like my reef on the whiter side. I run all channels at 100% except for red and green. Those two channels are run at 30%. The unit power is at 100%.

Realistically, if you like your lighting on the whiter side you would only need three fixtures.

I am using the RMS arm mounts so they’re 8-9” off the surface. As you can see, I’ll be able to grow SPS just about anywhere in the tank.

my rock work starts about 10” down in the tank. Numbers in black are surface readings. This is not a top down shot, it would be as if you’re looking at the tank head on.(front)

 

[AZMSGT]

XR15’s if for no other reason then because 8 of anything seems like overkill.

Have you seen BRS’s Red Sea 750? They have 10 XR15G4s on it. And it’s lighting spread is insane.

 

[whitewaterman53]

If it’s any help, here are the PAR numbers on my 36”x18”x18” setup.

please note that I like my reef on the whiter side. I run all channels at 100% except for red and green. Those two channels are run at 30%. The unit power is at 100%.

Realistically, if you like your lighting on the whiter side you would only need three fixtures.

I am using the RMS arm mounts so they’re 8-9” off the surface. As you can see, I’ll be able to grow SPS just about anywhere in the tank.

my rock work starts about 10” down in the tank. Numbers in black are surface readings. This is not a top down shot, it would be as if you’re looking at the tank head on.(front)

what lights are you using?

 

[iambenfields]

Have you seen BRS’s Red Sea 750? They have 10 XR15G4s on it. And it’s lighting spread is insane.

id love to have that setup but I forgot to put $100,000 into Apple stock in 1993, my bad

 

[SunnyX]

what lights are you using?

TWO XR15PRO Generation 5. The diffusers just came out but honestly, I don't feel the need to diffuse. The spread , coverage and color is perfect.

I was worried that running LED's would look too dim or appear as a single light source full of shadows, similar to running a metal halide bulb with out supplemental lighting. But, I am pleasantly surprised to report that the tank looks like its running a combo of Metal Halides and T5's. Add any supplemental lighting to these fixtures would be a wast of energy.

I am very happy with light fixtures. Now, we'll see what happens when I start adding SPS soon.

 

[Billldg]

Since you plan on having a sps tank, I agree with @AZMSGT, a hybrid set up is the way to go. You could get the even spread with 8 AI’s, but a hybrid set up makes it so much easier. I currently run a hybrid set up with 2 xr15 g4 pros on my 120 gal tank. I would add a 3rd but the center brace makes it pointless. My spread is still good enough though. On my 225 6ft tank upgrade I plan on going with a hybrid also, the only question I have for myself is to go with 2 36in hybrid fixtures or 1 60 in hybrid fixture with either 3 xr30’s g5 blues, or 4 xr15 g5 blues.

 

[Saltees]

T5/LED hybrid reign for spread.

BTW, 8 x PRIME 16HD cost 15% more than 4 x G5 XR15 over in Singapore.

 

[X-37B]

I am thinking of similar on my 120 which runs 8 T5's.
2 XR30's would be optimum imo.
I have seen this on a 120 and running 14k it looks like a MH imo.
The corals grow well and their is no shadowing or shimmer at all.
May look into a hybrid but from what I have seen its not needed and I am a T5 MH guy.