Will a single XR30 G6 provide true blanket coverage on a 36" tank?

[rennjidk]

I want to upgrade the lighting on my Nuvo 30l. Everything I've seen on the XR30 G6 looks promising. I can't install multiple lights due to how I'm using the sump, as the mounts would interfere with my media baskets and equipment at the required spacing. This is an LPS dominated tank, and I know a lot of lights "work well for LPS and Softies," but I'm not interested in lights that just "work well." I own them and they suck. Their focus is very narrow and you end up with a 300 par hotspot with 50 par at the edges. What I want is a single light that can provide even par and spectrum across the 3ft tank. I mean, 125-150 par directly under the light which tapers to no less than 100 at the side walls. Is this something the G6 can do? If anyone has any first hand experience I'd greatly appreciate it before I spend $1k on another new light.

 

[rwreef]

I would use two xr15 on a 3 foot tank.

 

[Lavey29]

I have a 3 ft tank and need 2 XR 15s however, if you position your rockscape to account for a single XR30 and just leave open swimming space on the sides you might get by. You will be happier with 2 lights though.

 

[rennjidk]

I have a 3 ft tank and need 2 XR 15s however, if you position your rockscape to account for a single XR30 and just leave open swimming space on the sides you might get by. You will be happier with 2 lights though.

How much spacing do you need to eliminate the center hotspot between the lights, as that's my main issue with a dual light setup?

 

[Lavey29]

How much spacing do you need to eliminate the center hotspot between the lights, as that's my main issue with a dual light setup?

You can add a diffuser which is cheap but there will always be a hot spot under any light. Most of my rocks are half way up the tank and my highest point under one light is about 7 inches below the water line.

 

[mtraylor]

I personally don't own a g6. I have the g5. I thank either would do the job as long as you hang it high enough above aquarium and not use a mount behind aquarium. Hang from ceiling or make some other form of mount

 

[mtraylor]

For g6 since it has better spread hopefully someone will chime in on there par meter readings. Maybe check brs to see if they have anything

 

[rennjidk]

For g6 since it has better spread hopefully someone will chime in on there par meter readings. Maybe check brs to see if they have anything

That's what I was hoping for. BRS has only done their standard 24x24 and 48x24 (with 2 lights).

 

[mtraylor]

Oh ok. Well I know the g5 will work for your LPS if it's set high enough. I know people and stores hanging them over prop tanks. You are not looking for allot par.

Will be interesting to see how high you have to hang a g6 since the spread is better. Would be nice if you could use the tank hanger arms

 

[NickHolmes]

A single XR30 Radion G4 Pro and newer will do just fine over a 36 inch LPS tank.

 

[slythy]

I use 2 Xr15's with 4 36" t5 bulbs over my 75 48"*18". coverage is really even and hotspots are pretty minimal, Just measure and adjust

 

[Jon's Reef]

If you want to only use 1 light a sky may work better. This is how it looks on a 36x24x22:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/its-here-sky.849993/