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

[aaron186]

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.

You’re right I found it on the ecotech website. They are different.

Do two XR15s equal one XR30? I think I’m gonna buy an XR30 and try it in the middle of my two 15s. If that’s not enough then I’ll sell my 15s, rip out my cables and buy another 30. I did a lot of cable management and my lights bricks are not easy to remove

 

[Lavey29]

You’re right I found it on the ecotech website. They are different.

Do two XR15s equal one XR30? I think I’m gonna buy an XR30 and try it in the middle of my two 15s. If that’s not enough then I’ll sell my 15s, rip out my cables and buy another 30. I did a lot of cable management and my lights bricks are not easy to remove

I think you will end up with uneven spread and hotspots. 2 XR 30s would cover the tank equally.

 

[Jon's Reef]

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?

With another XR15, you will be fine for par. If you like the blue look, switch to the blues as that will give you 10-20% more par for the look that you like. With higher par you have to be a lot more careful about having everything dialed in. At 200+ it becomes more about flow and nutrients.

I would just keep the 2 you have right now, add a 3rd XR15 in the middle. If you want more par/ spread, add 2 of the blade glow bars to bump up the violet/ blue.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Something seems really off on your PAR measurements. I have two XR15s on a RedSea 250 (36 inches wide) and have par readings of about 100 on the very bottom and 250-300 about 6 inches below the water line, and I'm only running my lights at about 70%.

If I were you I think I would just add a 3rd XR15 in the middle and possibly double check your readings with a different meter.

If you really wanted to you could put an XR30 in the middle and run it just a tad bit lower power than the two XR15s on the sides to even out

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Something seems really off on your PAR measurements. I have two XR15s on a RedSea 250 (36 inches wide) and have par readings of about 100 on the very bottom and 250-300 about 6 inches below the water line, and I'm only running my lights at about 70%.

If I were you I think I would just add a 3rd XR15 in the middle and possibly double check your readings with a different meter.

If you really wanted to you could put an XR30 in the middle and run it just a tad bit lower power than the two XR15s on the sides to even out

Especially since you already know your wife approves of the look of the radions and you have a cut out already in your lid.

It seems silly to completely start over when you already have something that works well

 

[aaron186]

Something seems really off on your PAR measurements. I have two XR15s on a RedSea 250 (36 inches wide) and have par readings of about 100 on the very bottom and 250-300 about 6 inches below the water line, and I'm only running my lights at about 70%.

If I were you I think I would just add a 3rd XR15 in the middle and possibly double check your readings with a different meter.

If you really wanted to you could put an XR30 in the middle and run it just a tad bit lower power than the two XR15s on the sides to even out

My rocks are 12 inches below water line. I put them at a max height of half the tank to allow the acros room to grow up. I plan on adding one in the middle. It’s just a question of 15 or 30 now

 

[MrPike]

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

Pretty sure the Reefi comes with mounts, or you can buy the adapter, that lets you use Radion mounts..and I’d say the Reefi has significantly less side glare then the Radions making it even more wife approved.

 

[aaron186]

Pretty sure the Reefi comes with mounts, or you can buy the adapter, that lets you use Radion mounts..and I’d say the Reefi has significantly less side glare then the Radions making it even more wife approved.

Are 2 reefis enough for that tank? I know very little about them

 

[Aaron75]

Are 2 reefis enough for that tank? I know very little about them

2 Reefi are perfect for this tank. They're extremely powerful lights. The light is $480, light with mount is $535.

 

[MrPike]

Are 2 reefis enough for that tank? I know very little about them

Reefi has the capability to use 270w of Led, I believe a xr15 is 105w, they are not really in the same league. An xr30 I think is 220w, so that’s a better comparison.

 

[aaron186]

2 Reefi are perfect for this tank. They're extremely powerful lights. The light is $480, light with mount is $535.

Is the light quiet? It’s got a beefy fan in it

 

[Aaron75]

Is the light quiet? It’s got a beefy fan in it

I can't speak on that, but I've heard they're quiet. Maybe a reefi user can step in

 

[MrPike]

I can't speak on that, but I've heard they're quiet. Maybe a reefi user can step in

They are variable speed depending on how much you are cranking them. If you are using all 270 watts they are noisy like other fixtures, if you are using half, which you likely will, you can’t hear them.

 

[Aaron75]

They are variable speed depending on how much you are cranking them. If you are using all 270 watts they are noisy like other fixtures, if you are using half, which you likely will, you can’t hear them.

Wait, so the fan runs proportionally to your setting? Or is it still on/off when temperature reduction is needed?

 

[bushdoc]

You’re right I found it on the ecotech website. They are different.

Do two XR15s equal one XR30? I think I’m gonna buy an XR30 and try it in the middle of my two 15s. If that’s not enough then I’ll sell my 15s, rip out my cables and buy another 30. I did a lot of cable management and my lights bricks are not easy to remove

Two XR 15 don’t have same depth penetration as one XR 30 and that might be a problem. You will have more spread, but less power, even with two XR 15. I really think they are mostly suitable for corals requiring lower to moderate PAR.

 

[aaron186]

Two XR 15 don’t have same depth penetration as one XR 30 and that might be a problem. You will have more spread, but less power, even with two XR 15. I really think they are mostly suitable for corals requiring lower to moderate PAR.

I’m thinking of going with the Reefi Uno Pro 2 instead. Two of them is the same cost as 1 XR30 and I can sell the xr15s and only be out a few hundred. I’m torn though because my lid has exact cutouts for the RMS mounts and I just bought an MXM for the apex.

 

[buruskeee]

You’d probably be fine with one more XR15. I know you want the AB+ but you’re not cool with running full spectrum at 80% for a couple of hours and then outside of the peak 2 hour window, scale back to 80% AB+ and down from there? You don’t need 300PAR the whole day, as coral in the ocean don’t receive full PAR all day.

If you’re really concerned with par and running AB+ the whole time, a single xr30 in the middle will accomplish your needs.

It won’t look funny because it’ll be symmetrical and an XR30 is just two XR15s in one package.

 

[zoomonster]

I always go by 1 XR30 for a 24"x24" area. 2 XR30's would do the trick and you can probably tune them down. XR15/30's resell really well especially with your G6's. You should be able to just buy the XR30 adapter and use with your arms. You should not lose much more than $100 each and of course extra cash for the move to XR30. And yeah no... the power supply bricks are different. I have both.

 

[X-37B]

My 80g I just had to break down, 48x24x16. 4 xr15 blue running ab+ 100/100. 12" down is 200 par. 6" 300, just under the surface 450. I added a quanta blue and picked up an average of 75-100 par. The 4 xr 15" grew coral well.

Growth pics before I added the quanta.
This is 14 months so no issues growing acros. The 15's do real well.

 

[Thunderstruck34]

The Reefi unos definitely pack a punch and will meet your par demands. supplemental lighting via blade etc. would also be my vote if I were to opt for a more sps dominant tank.