XR15 worth it?

[Ds04384]

Hello everyone,

I have the opportunity to get a gently used XR15 for 250. This would replace the China box I am currently using over my 24 nano. Or I also have to chance to grab a new gen 3 XR30 for 550... What are your thoughts

 

[McMullen]

Not worth it to me. Black box it!

 

[dakoop]

I have 2 xr15 on my tank and love them

 

[FlyinBryan]

I have 3 of them and they work great! Don't pass the opportunity!

 

[McMullen]

Why are you wanting to replace?
I've seen all the major brands on tanks in person from people in my reef club. I've even seen side by sides of Chinese black box next to kessil, radions, and maxspect. I'll just say from a visual perspective black box are just as good or better. They don't have as many features, but as far as light that grows coral with PAR to spare, keep what you've got.

 

[mcarroll]

Hello everyone,

I have the opportunity to get a gently used XR15 for 250. This would replace the China box I am currently using over my 24 nano. Or I also have to chance to grab a new gen 3 XR30 for 550... What are your thoughts

Wouldn't that be replacing 160 watts with 50 watts? That's a big difference, but if that'll work for your tank (and presuming you must have a good reason to change), then go for it.

But be mindful of that transition for any established corals you have! Get and use a [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] [HASHTAG]#meter[/HASHTAG] before and after so you have results to compare. You want the new and old fixtures to match as close as you can in that case - don't go by your eyeballs!!!

(I have to think the XR30 would be a waste of overkill for your tank size.)

 

[mfinn]

IMO it would be a nice upgrade.
For me the added software the Radions have is worth the price.

 

[aabjones888]

I'd go with one of the radions, the xr15 would work fine, if u have the funds go with the xr30, I'd rather have a lot of light and turn it down, and your lights not working so hard, Also when your corals grow in you will has a less shadowing effect. Just my opinion tho.

 

[McMullen]

What light are you currently using?
The assumption is radions are better because of software, it IS cool, and you'll have less shadowing (IDK about that).

If you forget the cool software, controlling with your phone, and program stuff, and compared the light side by side, not knowing which was which I really suspect you could not tell the difference ( assuming the black box is "full spectrum")!

 

[aabjones888]

I was saying u will have less shadowing on that size tank because you will have two clusters of LEDs over your tank with the xr30 rather than one with the Xr15.
I have had the xr15 and a Chinese box led and the xr15 wins everytime no questions asked.
This is all opinion though. If u got the money go for it.

 

[McMullen]

@aabjones888, Radions are supreme overall, no argument!

However, depending on the black box the OP is using it may not be worth price. The black box I just got in December is better than the 400 watt MH I was using as far as color and growth.

 

[Ds04384]

I saw someone selling the light and thought it was a great deal, but I'm not having any real problems with my box. I'm getting relatively slow but consistent SPS growth and better color than I'd expect. Just looking for an excuse to buy a new toy I guess lol

 

[McMullen]

I doubt you'd get better growth! Spend that money coral.

 

[helldiver]

Worth it I have one on a cube and love it plus eventually one day your black box will stop working

 

[McMullen]

Black box LEDs most likely will not last as long, thankfully @trido has solved this problem for us. I know he will post soon how to replace LEDs and how to customize the colors! Still hundreds cheaper!

 

[helldiver]

Ty

Black box LEDs most likely will not last as long, thankfully @trido has solved this problem for us. I know he will post soon how to replace LEDs and how to customize the colors! Still hundreds cheaper!

 

[tvu]

Depending on Black box the Radions should have more controllability in terms of channels to adjust. Also the UV on the Radions I've found beneficial compared to my wifi controllable Evergrows on my other tank.

BTW I have G3 Radion xr30 and 2 wifi controllable Evergrows. I prefer the Radion hands down.

 

[svogun]

I have a gen 3 pro and am running the AB sps program at 50% intensity. Everything is thriving. Would not think twice about a radion.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Until others can come up with software like the radions, they'll get my vote every time. And that's aside from the fact the hardware is awesome.

 

[SlowMN]

Overall they are a good unit. If you have the budget to do it and are looking for a reasonable ugrade, then I would def go for it!