72x30x24 220 - 3 or 4 4th gen XR30W for mixed tank

[ShepherdTech]

My tank will be 30” inches tall and although I’d love to have diffusers, I’m concerned they won’t penetrate deep enough.

 

[golfer88]

I agree always go with more light then less light because you can turn them down.

 

[xabo]

My tank will be 30” inches tall and although I’d love to have diffusers, I’m concerned they won’t penetrate deep enough.

Will not be a problem..............

 

[ShepherdTech]

Will not be a problem..............

Is that the configuration your are running?

 

[rossco]

I’m running 3 Radion XR30's with 2 x 60 inch T5 Blue Plus over my Sps dominated 6 foot 210. 72Hx27Wx25H. Growth is good and colors are fantastic.

I run a modified AB+ program at 65 percent. The T5's run for only 4 hours.

I have a lot of good sized colonies and went with the T5s to prevent shading as I was using an 8 bulb retro before, and just used a couple from that.

 

[xabo]

Is that the configuration your are running?

Running 6 XR30W Pro 4's w/diffusers over a 220........72x24x30.

 

[Dan Snyder]

Agree with the added T-5 set up! Have a 6’ with 3 4g pro and T-5 you can’t go wrong! Even with the diffusers you will have enough penetration, just have to Par it when everything is set up.

 

[ShepherdTech]

Agree with the added T-5 set up! Have a 6’ with 3 4g pro and T-5 you can’t go wrong! Even with the diffusers you will have enough penetration, just have to Par it when everything is set up.

Appreciate the info!
What bulbs are you running with the T5’s? I may want to move to 4 bulbs instead, if you aren’t burning things with the 24” tall tank. I can always remove bulbs if I want less light. How are the tank temps with 3 XR 30’s and 4 60” (assuming 60” t5)? What intensity are the Radions and what is your lighting schedule for the T5s?

 

[Dan Snyder]

Appreciate the info!
What bulbs are you running with the T5’s? I may want to move to 4 bulbs instead, if you aren’t burning things with the 24” tall tank. I can always remove bulbs if I want less light. How are the tank temps with 3 XR 30’s and 4 60” (assuming 60” t5)? What intensity are the Radions and what is your lighting schedule for the T5s?

I run 2 different kind of actinic bulbs. You could run more just depends on how much space you have in your hood. I run a 1/2hp chiller on 180g so couldn’t give you that information set at a stable .5 degree fluctuation 77-78 degrees. Yes 60” T-5 80w. Run my radions at 65% SPS AB+ template, with the t-5 running 4 out of my 8 hour schedule. Hope that helps.

 

[MikeW9788]

I run 2 different kind of actinic bulbs. You could run more just depends on how much space you have in your hood. I run a 1/2hp chiller on 180g so couldn’t give you that information set at a stable .5 degree fluctuation 77-78 degrees. Yes 60” T-5 80w. Run my radions at 65% SPS AB+ template, with the t-5 running 4 out of my 8 hour schedule. Hope that helps.

Is the 65% your running the main slider or the intensity percent it tells you when you hover over the set point? I'm now thinking of adding two t5's to my setup.

 

[Dan Snyder]

Over all, the AB will set each individual color. With the diffusers and the t-5 no shadowing. Would highly recommend after I did that all my coral took off!

 

[MikeW9788]

Over all, the AB will set each individual color. With the diffusers and the t-5 no shadowing. Would highly recommend after I did that all my coral took off!

One more question, what t5 bulbs do you use?

 

[Rakie]

Sorry Don't know how I missed this ,
I would suggest to start up with 4 Radions XR 30 Pro, and you may need to add more in future if needed.

I am running now 3 XR30 and 1 XR15 on my 180 gallon reef tank, all pro

Yep.

I'm running ONE radion on my 50 cube (24"x24") and it's not enough. I need two. Since they're $800, I'm getting the AquaticLife t5 hybrid instead.

 

[Rakie]

Hi, if I were to use the Radion lights on this system, I would go with 6 XR 15 pros as others have stated. With the XR 15's you can space them a little further apart and have a lot better coverage and less shadowing. You could always add more in the future if the need arises. Now if this were my system, I would use 3, maybe 4 Mitra LX7206 lights, as I believe these to be the best LED lights on the market, and they are in the same price range as the Radions. I like the parabolic reflectors on the Mitra,s compared to lenses and light diffusers used by the Radion's.

But at the same time, the tank of 30" could probably use a 3rd puck.

If it were me I would seriously consider 4-5 xr30's turned perpendicular, with an xr15 in front of each xr30. So basically XR45's.

You would not need the xr15's for quite awhile until things were full and growing in. At that time you may need to add another xr30 too...

The problem with radions is they need to be about 24" off the water or you will need a metric ton of them..

You could get by with only 6 xr15's, if you're willing to mount them very high.

 

[Dan Snyder]

One more question, what t5 bulbs do you use?

API True Actinic and a Actinic Royal Blue 460nm.