Radion low par

[ttbuc40]

I have 2x 3 month old xr15's and when I tested the par it was only 120 directly underneath about 10" deep. This is on radion mounts. Running ab+ 100%. Am I doing something wrong as this doesn't seem possible.

 

[slingfox]

I have 2x 3 month old xr15's and when I tested the par it was only 120 directly underneath about 10" deep. This is on radion mounts. Running ab+ 100%. Am I doing something wrong as this doesn't seem possible.

See this thread:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/unexpected-par-results-with-xr15-gen-6-blue.1081088/

If you can still return the XR15 you could look into getting lights with more modern technology. The XR15 work fine though if you plan to grow mostly LPS and softies.

 

[oreo54]

I have 2x 3 month old xr15's and when I tested the par it was only 120 directly underneath about 10" deep. This is on radion mounts. Running ab+ 100%. Am I doing something wrong as this doesn't seem possible.

First . .gen 6?
The lensing is very wide like 126 degrees
The " one height" mount is IMHO too tall to properly focus that light in the tank
Second are you measuring basically from the light face to 10" under water ( so 18"-19" overall ) or 10" from light face to sensor?
Just for clarity.

If gen 6 and using the arm and you want the real potential you should probably get the narrow lens kit.

The standard RMS arm provides a fixed height of approximately 8–9 inches for optimal PAR, spread, and aesthetics

That statement is "optimistic" for the wide spread of the gen 6.

Put a long white stick across the rim of your tank .
See how much light misses going into it..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/2-xr-15s-140par-max.1149674/#post-14203861

Crude estimate of light spread BUT it is obvious that if your tank width is like
18-24" wide you are losing a lot of light.

 

[ttbuc40]

Looks like I'm not alone with this as my readings are very similar. Thought I was getting top notch stuff with the Radions but guess not. Disappointing

 

[Naturalreef]

I believe they sell more focused lenses for the Radion which would help if you can’t return them.

 

[exnisstech]

I think Gen 4 was the last of the really good radions but I haven't owned Gen 5 or 6 just read that they're weak for the price. I think there are much better alternatives.

 

[rtparty]

Sounds low. Do you have the schedule intensity set to 100% as well?

Run them in demo mode and put every slider at 100% then take a reading.

Which PAR meter by the way?

 

[Reefing addict Clay]

Well thanks for saving me money I was about to buy 2 xr30pro for my IM 100ext I was debating between radion or the reefbreeders meridian 35 with 2 meridian edge

 

[slingfox]

Looks like I'm not alone with this as my readings are very similar. Thought I was getting top notch stuff with the Radions but guess not. Disappointing

Old technology. Much better options available now.

 

[gcarroll]

I could be wrong but sounds like someone got a 100w Radion Pro and then made it a 65w light by running it at AB+ spectrum which happens the be the native spectrum of the Radion Blue running at 100w.

 

[ttbuc40]

I was measuring underwater so approximately 18" from lightsource is where I was getting 120 par. It is a 48" x 24" tank with 2 xr15's. I think I'll try the narrow lense kit as my sps are pretty centered on the top level of the rocks.

 

[Reefing addict Clay]

Ohhh your running xr15 I got roughly same size tank and was thinking 2 gen6 xr30pro but not sure if meridian is bette. I saw a post that the guy at battle corals put meridians or his. Wish I could find somone that’s ran both or has friend running. I own radions when I was last in the hobby and loved them but nowadays they get a lot of hate because the price and power

 

[exnisstech]

Well thanks for saving me money I was about to buy 2 xr30pro for my IM 100ext I was debating between radion or the reefbreeders meridian 35 with 2 meridian edge

I would pick reefbreeders. I have Gen 4 radions but Also have 3 photons and a meridian. I have no complaints on the RBs.

 

[rtparty]

I was measuring underwater so approximately 18" from lightsource is where I was getting 120 par. It is a 48" x 24" tank with 2 xr15's. I think I'll try the narrow lense kit as my sps are pretty centered on the top level of the rocks.

So you’re trying to light a 48*24 area with a spread out XR30. Wrong tool for the job. 1 XR30 will never cover a 48*24 area with SPS levels of PAR.

Radions absolutely produce enough light and many, many tanks under them flourish. Not directed at you OP but the unjustified bashing and hate Radions get is laughable.

Radions work just fine

 

[exnisstech]

Ohhh your running xr15 I got roughly same size tank and was thinking 2 gen6 xr30pro but not sure if meridian is bette. I saw a post that the guy at battle corals put meridians or his. Wish I could find somone that’s ran both or has friend running. I own radions when I was last in the hobby and loved them but nowadays they get a lot of hate because the price and power

Adam @Battlecorals replaced his photons with meridians IIRC. I have photons over my SPS tank and love them. I have a meridian 11 over an IM20 mixed reef and am happy but the tank has only been running a year with a lot of changes during that time so I can't really comment on growth just appearance.

 

[exnisstech]

So you’re trying to light a 48*24 area with a spread out XR30. Wrong tool for the job. 1 XR30 will never cover a 48*24 area with SPS levels of PAR.

Radions absolutely produce enough light and many, many tanks under them flourish. Not directed at you OP but the unjustified bashing and hate Radions get is laughable.

Radions work just fine

Love the look. I get so tired of neon tanks.

 

[rtparty]

Love the look. I get so tired of neon tanks.

Thanks! When I had Radions I ran the Pros so I could get run them more white as I love the true, reflective colors of SPS instead of the neon fluorescent colors

 

[RoanokeReef]

Old technology. Much better options available now.

I've seen you say this multiple times, just curious what is the old tech in Radions ?

 

[Reefing addict Clay]

I was measuring underwater so approximately 18" from lightsource is where I was getting 120 par. It is a 48" x 24" tank with 2 xr15's. I think I'll try the narrow lense kit as my sps are pretty centered on the top level of the rocks.

So you’re trying to light a 48*24 area with a spread out XR30. Wrong tool for the job. 1 XR30 will never cover a 48*24 area with SPS levels of PAR.

Radions absolutely produce enough light and many, many tanks under them flourish. Not directed at you OP but the unjustified bashing and hate Radions get is laughable.

Radions work just fine

I loved my gen 4 pros I had to back in the day no complaints I was also gonna run 2 xr30 for a 48x24x20 tank. I don’t hate the radions or mind paying for gear the meridians are actually more expensive with the 2 bars. I have a sound theory and it’s that whatever light you own and coral grow under it just fine then it’s the best light and people spending more money for lights are wasting money. Like the reefis uno 2.1 pro ppl who own those say your wasting money by buying radions there overpriced and underpowered. I saw 2 each is own.

 

[slingfox]

I was measuring underwater so approximately 18" from lightsource is where I was getting 120 par. It is a 48" x 24" tank with 2 xr15's. I think I'll try the narrow lense kit as my sps are pretty centered on the top level of the rocks.

2 XR15s are not well suited to growing SPS in a 4ft tank. If you want to focus on SPS and use Radions the better bet is 2 XR30s