XR15 or XR30

[Casey Gore]

I have a 120 that is 2x4x2 and when i called echo tech they recommended 2 xr15 pros. However my LFS told me i needed 2 XR30s. The price out come is very different. But visually will the tank look that much better? I am mainly a lps clam type of guy. I really dont dabble in sps that much.

 

[BestMomEver]

The xr15’s have a 24” spread, both wide and deep. I have a tank that’s 36” long x 24” tall x 24” deep. I run to xr15 pro gen 4 lights. It’s plenty sufficient. Your LFS wants your money. A xr30 has a 36” spread. Way overkill IMO.

 

[Abhishek]

I would go with 3 xr15 on a 4 feet tank with lps and clams and run them at a height of at least 16-18 inches with diffusers for a better spread .
3 gives you the flexibility to even run them lower at 30-40% each and the higher you go the better the spread will be .

 

[Casey Gore]

I was looking and noticed the xr 15 pros come with warm white and violet channels where the xr30 does not. It would be like me shorting myself xtra color for more money. I think im going with maybe 2 or 3 15s

 

[BestMomEver]

I would go with 3 xr15 on a 4 feet tank with lps and clams and run them at a height of at least 16-18 inches with diffusers for a better spread .
3 gives you the flexibility to even run them lower at 30-40% each and the higher you go the better the spread will be .

It really depends how much money you’re ready to spend. Three lights is great, but as for coverage, not necessary. The diffusers are nice too but reduce intensity by about 20%. I’ve used mine in the past but are not using them now. Also, IMO, 16 to 18 inches is way to high. Ecotech recommends a height of about 9”.

I’m not trying to be contrary. I just know what works for me! Here’s a terrible picture with all channels up.

 

[ca1ore]

I was looking and noticed the xr 15 pros come with warm white and violet channels where the xr30 does not. It would be like me shorting myself xtra color for more money. I think im going with maybe 2 or 3 15s

There are two versions of the XR30 - regular and pro. There is only one version of the XR15 - pro. The XR15 Pro is half of the XR30 Pro. I inherently prefer the XR15 over the XR30 anyhow, so start with two 15s; you can always add a third later on.

 

[Casey Gore]

It really depends how much money you’re ready to spend. Three lights is great, but as for coverage, not necessary. The diffusers are nice too but reduce intensity by about 20%. I’ve used mine in the past but are not using them now. Also, IMO, 16 to 18 inches is way to high. Ecotech recommends a height of about 9”.

I’m not trying to be contrary. I just know what works for me! Here’s a terrible picture with all channels up.

WOW there really isnt any shadowing like i thought there would be. It look beautiful! Im sure you are the best mom!

 

[Casey Gore]

There are two versions of the XR30 - regular and pro. There is only one version of the XR15 - pro. The XR15 Pro is half of the XR30 Pro. I inherently prefer the XR15 over the XR30 anyhow, so start with two 15s; you can always add a third later on.

That is what I was thinking. Do any of you use the reef link?

 

[BestMomEver]

I was looking and noticed the xr 15 pros come with warm white and violet channels where the xr30 does not. It would be like me shorting myself xtra color for more money. I think im going with maybe 2 or 3 15s

WOW there really isnt any shadowing like i thought there would be. It look beautiful! Im sure you are the best mom!

Thanks! Yes, I use reeflink. I also have an Apex. Instead of buying the Apex module for the Radions, I have the Apex switch for the lights “always on” except for temperature control. Then I use reeflink to control the lights.

 

[BestMomEver]

WOW there really isnt any shadowing like i thought there would be. It look beautiful! Im sure you are the best mom!

One thing to notice. You see the rainbow colors on the sandbed? The diffuser will reduce or eliminate that. I really don’t care. I bought a diffuser when I had one light over a smaller tank. I recently upgraded my tank and needed an additional light but I didn’t buy an extra diffuser.

 

[BestMomEver]

Btw....if you decide to go with corals that require more light, I might consider a third xr15 but I really think you’re ok considering what you like to keep. For now, buy two lights and see what you think. If you need more, buy a third.

 

[Casey Gore]

One thing to notice. You see the rainbow colors on the sandbed? The diffuser will reduce or eliminate that. I really don’t care. I bought a diffuser when I had one light over a smaller tank. I recently upgraded my tank and needed an additional light but I didn’t buy an extra diffuser.

This might be odd but I enjoy the colors in the sand bed.

 

[BestMomEver]

This might be odd but I enjoy the colors in the sand bed.

Me too... or at least I don’t mind it.

 

[Abhishek]

It really depends how much money you’re ready to spend. Three lights is great, but as for coverage, not necessary. The diffusers are nice too but reduce intensity by about 20%. I’ve used mine in the past but are not using them now. Also, IMO, 16 to 18 inches is way to high. Ecotech recommends a height of about 9”.

I’m not trying to be contrary. I just know what works for me! Here’s a terrible picture with all channels up.

Well it comes with preference . I would rather run more units and less power in each and get better distribution . Also the g4 pros are extremely powerful and 16 - 18 inches is no big deal . Higher you go better distribution with no hot spots and better mixing of color :)
Example look at WWC and where they run their lights . It’s pretty high up

 

[ca1ore]

Do any of you use the reef link?

Refeflink is fine. If you have an apex, the WXM module (I think that's the correct module) will control them too; though it lacks some of the calibration features of Reeflink. Personally I prefer to hang my radions a bit lower because I HATE light spill into the room. I don't notice LED blending issues personally, but I run a lot of different lights over my 450. One reason to prefer XR15 over XR30 is the fans only run as needed versus all the time. I like a quiet tank, so that's a benefit for me.

 

[BestMomEver]

Well it comes with preference . I would rather run more units and less power in each and get better distribution . Also the g4 pros are extremely powerful and 16 - 18 inches is no big deal . Higher you go better distribution with no hot spots and better mixing of color :)
Example look at WWC and where they run their lights . It’s pretty high up

True.... but.... how close to the surface of the water are their corals? I’ve never paid that much attention. Do they run t5’s too? I’ve never been there so I’m curious.

 

[Fishface1970]

Here's a great video on the XR15 with diffuser tests...