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I have a 60" x 26" wide x 24" tank
Currently running a 48" Aquatic life T5 with 2 blue plus and 2 coral plus - I also have 5 Kessil 360x (1 every 12 inches)
I'm thinking about replacing my Kessil/T5 Hybrid with 3 XR-30s G5 or 4 XR-30s G4
Here are the reason:
It seems the gold standard for acropora is metal halides. I don't think that is an option for me.
I could go with a 8 bulb T5 fixture but I worry heat would be a bigger issue. I'm also not sure I would be happy with the look of the tank. When I run my T5s without the LEDs everything looks very dull. It might just be the bulb combo and not enough bulbs to light the entire tank.
What is everyone's thoughts on the XR 30s? I know there are a million threads on these lights and I've read most of them. I'm just asking do people think 3 or 4 XR30 would be an upgrade from my current setup for Acropora?
I'm not asking about the cost, or if the new lights have quality issues. Just asking about performance only vs my setup - if that makes sense.
Currently running a 48" Aquatic life T5 with 2 blue plus and 2 coral plus - I also have 5 Kessil 360x (1 every 12 inches)
I'm thinking about replacing my Kessil/T5 Hybrid with 3 XR-30s G5 or 4 XR-30s G4
Here are the reason:
- Tank is about 8 months old and I'm struggling with Acropora. I've put over 30 sticks in the tank and all have browned except for a few. I do have Monti's growing and coloring well. I don't think my lights are the issue but I'm just not sold on the Kessils for an Acropora dominated tank.
- Heat- my tank heats up ~4 degrees when the T5s run all day. I range from 76-80 each day. Again, I don't think this is my issue but LED only should resolve.
- Power cords. I need 6 power cords for the current setup. I believe 3 XR-30s would open up 3 outlets and reduce wires
- I just changed my t5 bulbs and I was actually a bit nervous about breaking them over the tank. I'm sure this is a non-issue but I'm listing it anyway.
- Along the same line as number four, I have the T5's mounted in studs in the ceiling. This has made me nervous from the beginning. I just don't trust my handyman skills enough to be 100% confident the lights won't fall in the tank!
It seems the gold standard for acropora is metal halides. I don't think that is an option for me.
I could go with a 8 bulb T5 fixture but I worry heat would be a bigger issue. I'm also not sure I would be happy with the look of the tank. When I run my T5s without the LEDs everything looks very dull. It might just be the bulb combo and not enough bulbs to light the entire tank.
What is everyone's thoughts on the XR 30s? I know there are a million threads on these lights and I've read most of them. I'm just asking do people think 3 or 4 XR30 would be an upgrade from my current setup for Acropora?
I'm not asking about the cost, or if the new lights have quality issues. Just asking about performance only vs my setup - if that makes sense.