Add XR15 or XR30? (Par reading and Pics inside)

[aaron186]

I have a RSR 425 xl (47x22x22 in) tank. I made the mistake of listening to the BRS sales person and bought two XR15 pro gen 6 for the tank instead of two xr30 blues. I just got my par meter and I have serious buyers remorse. With AB pro spectrum at 100% with my PAR readings are about 150-180 at top of my rocks directly below light and about 100-120 on the sand bed. With all channels set to 100 my PAR is about 200-250 directly under the light (I wouldn’t run it this white). I’m past the return window on the lights since I bought them over a year ago and setting up the tank got delayed by life.

Should I buy another XR15 pro or XR30 to go in the middle? Do you think that will get me where I want to be (250-350)? Should I “upgrade” my XR15s to blues and get another XR15 blue? I plan on running AB+ spectrum or something close to it.

 

[Aaron75]

Sell your 2 XR15's for say.. $300 or whatever used market value is and buy 2 Reefi Uno Pro's for the cost of a single xr30. You're out a total of like $400 but have some of the best lights possible.

 

[Nick Steele]

Personally I would sell those lights and get something more suitable for a tank that size!


I light light bars better then normal LEDs and will be trying quantapros when I upgrade my tank. Basically led lights in a t5 form!

 

[blaxsun]

I have a RSR 425 xl (47x22x22 in) tank. I made the mistake of listening to the BRS sales person and bought two XR15 pro gen 6 for the tank instead of two xr30 blues. I just got my par meter and I have serious buyers remorse. With AB pro spectrum at 100% with my PAR readings are about 150-180 at top of my rocks directly below light and about 100-120 on the sand bed. With all channels set to 100 my PAR is about 200-250 directly under the light (I wouldn’t run it this white). I’m past the return window on the lights since I bought them over a year ago and setting up the tank got delayed by life.

Should I buy another XR15 pro or XR30 to go in the middle? Do you think that will get me where I want to be (250-350)? Should I “upgrade” my XR15s to blues and get another XR15 blue? I plan on running AB+ spectrum or something close to it.

Here's my Red Sea 750XXL with both XR15/XR30 G5 Blues (my tank is just a bit deeper than yours). Note that I'm running diffusers, so the output is approximately on par with the G6s (I don't have quite the same spread, though). As you can see below, directly below the XR15s I'm getting 450 PAR. This is at 75% intensity during the peak (not all channels at 100%).

You could certainly benefit from another XR15 in the center, but I don't know how much this will change your overall PAR values.

 

[aaron186]

Sell your 2 XR15's for say.. $300 or whatever used market value is and buy 2 Reefi Uno Pro's for the cost of a single xr30. You're out a total of like $400 but have some of the best lights possible.

Im pretty invested in the neptune apex system and have the mobius module. I'd prefer to stay with something controllable in the apex. Plus I own the mounts and finding something wife approved for the living room was tough. I dont think she will let me hang lights from the ceiling or use something that doesnt look polished to suspend them

 

[aaron186]

Here's my Red Sea 750XXL with both XR15/XR30 G5 Blues (my tank is just a bit deeper than yours). Note that I'm running diffusers, so the output is approximately on par with the G6s (I don't have quite the same spread, though). As you can see below, directly below the XR15s I'm getting 450 PAR. This is at 75% intensity during the peak (not all channels at 100%).

You could certainly benefit from another XR15 in the center, but I don't know how much this will change your overall PAR values.

You think an XR 30 in the middle is the way to go then? You think it will look decently too? The tank is living room so needs to be wife acceptable

 

[blaxsun]

You think an XR 30 in the middle is the way to go then? You think it will look decently too? The tank is living room so needs to be wife acceptable

Yes, that's similar to how I had mine originally setup (XR15 in the center and two XR30s on the sides, but I shuffled things around and added another XR15 and placed them on the outside).

 

[Lavey29]

I also have the weak XR15 lights and they are running 100% intensity on AB program just to barely get SPS par levels. For the cleanest look and balanced spread 2 XR30s would be your best option with selling the 15s.

 

[aaron186]

I also have the weak XR15 lights and they are running 100% intensity on AB program just to barely get SPS par levels. For the cleanest look and balanced spread 2 XR30s would be your best option with selling the 15s.

Are the powercords/bricks the same for the 15 as it is for the 30s? I’m thinking you’re right and I should just sell them

 

[King Reef]

I’d just start with adding one more xr15 and then another if you need it.

 

[aaron186]

I’d just start with adding one more xr15 and then another if you need it.

The problem is that I have a clear view lid that only has cutout for one more light in the middle. So if I buy another XR15 and it’s not enough, then I need to buy a new lid. I’m not sure what the return policy is on the Radions. I know BRS has restocking fee on opened items. I might go to my LFS and see if they will let me try a 15 and then exchange for a 30

 

[Jon's Reef]

With your current setup, any issues with corals will not be the lights. If you want a little more light, add another XR15 in the middle. Another option is to add two of the AI blade bars (There are mounts to attach them to the XR15s). The glow will reinforce the violet/ blue spectrum while also reducing shading.

 

[aaron186]

With your current setup, any issues with corals will not be the lights. If you want a little more light, add another XR15 in the middle. Another option is to add two of the AI blade bars (There are mounts to attach them to the XR15s). The glow will reinforce the violet/ blue spectrum while also reducing shading.

Correct me if I’m wrong but par for acros is 250-350. Seems like if I’m getting 180 par at the highest rock under my lights then I’m going to struggle with them?

 

[ADAM]

Something sounds off to me. I had the G5 Pros mounted higher than the RMS mounts and had 250 at the racks that were 6” or so below the water line. I was using the Apogee SQ 520 meter

Can you post a screenshot of your light profile graph from Mobius?

 

[Bacon505]

Par is just one variable. If you think you need more light then add another xr30 of you want to go fancy. Or cheaper route with the reefbrite k26 or k15. I would let the tank settle in and down the line, the corals will tell you if you need more lighting to push growth/coloration

 

[aaron186]

Something sounds off to me. I had the G5 Pros mounted higher than the RMS mounts and had 250 at the racks that were 6” or so below the water line. I was using the Apogee SQ 520 meter

Can you post a screenshot of your light profile graph from Mobius?

I had the stock AB+ spectrum and I tried all channels set to 100% and 100% intensity as above. I was planning on using reef dudes spectrum. My tallest rock is halfway up the tank. Par at 6 inches from water line is fine but SPS will quickly grow too tall at that distance

 

[bushdoc]

Very similar tank size, 2 XR15 and one XR30. PAR from XR 15 doesn’t reach very deep and they are running @90%, while XR 30 runs @ 25% and I am slowly ramping it up. I will keep XR 15 for my future shallower, lagoon, LPS tank, but if you want to grow SPS, XR 15 might allow you to grow them only in top areas of your tank.

 

[Acros]

I would suggest adding 2 48” AI Blades using their hybrid mount.

Spread and shading (or eliminating shading) is as important as PAR when it comes to acros. A small panel will result in some shading no matter how much PAR it can produce.

With the AI Blades you should have T5 like spread and shadow reduction. PAR should be pretty close to 350 with 2 XR 15 and 2 48” Blade Grows.

 

[aaron186]

Very similar tank size, 2 XR15 and one XR30. PAR from XR 15 doesn’t reach very deep and they are running @90%, while XR 30 runs @ 25% and I am slowly ramping it up. I will keep XR 15 for my future shallower, lagoon, LPS tank, but if you want to grow SPS, XR 15 might allow you to grow them only in top areas of your tank.

I originally purchased Gen 5 30s. Then a month later the 6s came out and I saw they had wider spread. I talked to a guy at BRS chat support who convinced me that I only needed two 15 gen 6s. So I exchanged them. Wish I just stuck to my gut.

Do you know if the 30s and 15s have same power supply and bricks? I really don’t want to undo all of my cable management

 

[bushdoc]

I originally purchased Gen 5 30s. Then a month later the 6s came out and I saw they had wider spread. I talked to a guy at BRS chat support who convinced me that I only needed two 15 gen 6s. So I exchanged them. Wish I just stuck to my gut.

Do you know if the 30s and 15s have same power supply and bricks? I really don’t want to undo all of my cable management

No, XR 30 has much larger power supply unit, I would imagine that bricks are not interchangeable, cables might be. I am away for the weekend, but I can check for U if you want after I am back.