XR30 G6 for Fluval 13.5

[callen.haines]

Hi there, for the G6 XR30s is it possible to mount it with the RMS so that it is in line with the peninsula not horizontal on the back if that makes any sense? all of them show it attached to the RMS as if it was going over a cube or something not sure how to describe it! Making sure of this before I buy one thank you so much.

-Callen

 

[AKG]

Personally I wouldn't buy a G6 for a nano as the spread is way too large.


Just my opinion, you do you though.

 

[EpisodeMnH]

Personally I wouldn't buy a G6 for a nano as the spread is way too large.


Just my opinion, you do you though.

Ditto. I have the 32.5 Gallon Flex and I have 2 XR15s. One XR15 is more than enough for a 13.5 and you can grow anything under that. An XR30’s spread is mostly pointing outside of the tank at that rate lol.

 

[Tamberav]

+1, wayyy too much light spill. I have xr15's on a 24 inch wide tank. Even the xr15 is going to have light spill on an evo. They made the spread greater but spread isn't a good thing when your tank does not need it.

I would buy a used G4 xr15 if I wanted radion on a evo. Otherwise look at kessils or AI.

 

[callen.haines]

Ditto. I have the 32.5 Gallon Flex and I have 2 XR15s. One XR15 is more than enough for a 13.5 and you can grow anything under that. An XR30’s spread is mostly pointing outside of the tank at that rate lol.

Personally I wouldn't buy a G6 for a nano as the spread is way too large.


Just my opinion, you do you though.

+1, wayyy too much light spill. I have xr15's on a 24 inch wide tank. Even the xr15 is going to have light spill on an evo. They made the spread greater but spread isn't a good thing when your tank does not need it.

I would buy a used G4 xr15 if I wanted radion on a evo. Otherwise look at kessils or AI.

My fluval is under a 3foot 8bulb ati with 2 reefbrites on each side lol I'm used to bleeding light, I just cant find any examples of the XR15 above a fluval 13.5 for reference only an older gen xr30 above one

 

[AKG]

Tbh my nano aio uses a nicrew kessil copycat and it was $60 out the door. If you want a nicer version definitely get a kessil. You'll need to buy the stand too though.

I run nicrew on all my systems and I think they are far from the best spectrum options out there but for the price they grow coral and are solid options.


Tbh I wouldn't blow more than $300 on my lighting as a whole until I got past two years in the hobby anyway. Most people leave the hobby within a year or two due to costs so I generally recommend to cut costs when necessary, buy luxury lights later on when you can afford them.

You're gonna kill a lot of coral and fish, save your money for that lol.

 

[callen.haines]

Tbh my nano aio uses a nicrew kessil copycat and it was $60 out the door. If you want a nicer version definitely get a kessil. You'll need to buy the stand too though.

I run nicrew on all my systems and I think they are far from the best spectrum options out there but for the price they grow coral and are solid options.


Tbh I wouldn't blow more than $300 on my lighting as a whole until I got past two years in the hobby anyway. Most people leave the hobby within a year or two due to costs so I generally recommend to cut costs when necessary, buy luxury lights later on when you can afford them.

You're gonna kill a lot of coral and fish, save your money for that lol.

Oh no ive been in the hobby for 3 years now, Gone through some tanks lost fish corals all of it, Im just planning ahead considering I am in university so in some years when I have a spot and a more long term tank that isn't going to move as easy as a Fluval 13.5 I would want the equipment to translate fairly effectively

 

[dschuffert]

I think that light is too much overkill for a Nano. Not only from light spillage but also from electrical consumption.

 

[Tamberav]

RMS mounts from like 8 years ago... the lights used to turn/spin, so you could face them any way you want.

Pretty sure that is not an option now. I can't be certain as my radions are hanging. Hopefully someone can let you know, I have never seen them oriented the other way on a RMS mount.

 

[callen.haines]

RMS mounts from like 8 years ago... the lights used to turn/spin, so you could face them any way you want.

Pretty sure that is not an option now. I can't be certain as my radions are hanging. Hopefully someone can let you know, I have never seen them oriented the other way on a RMS mount.

dang yeah I cant figure out if they can or not

 

[SauceyReef]

Bumping this post up again. Hoping the OP is still here as he has had posts from this year. If not hopefully this will help others. The AI Prime 16 HD and Kessil A80 are highly recommended for the Fluval Evo 13.5 gallon, but are they really that good for the tank?

IMHO - they are NOT. I love the Kessil A80, but the spread is awful. Having it on the Evo and testing PAR regularly it can barely go over 200 PAR in the upper tank areas without maxing out. The AI Prime 16 HD is definitely better, but the same issue persists! It is really lacking in spread on the Peninsula. If you want higher parts of your tank hitting 300+ PAR prepare to be replacing a lens 2x times a year, and replacing the light every couple years. Even maxed out the light can barely get to 300 PAR in upper portions of the tank. If you want all softies and LPS, and don't mind the sides of your tank being around 50 PAR this light will be okay. But there are definitely BETTER OPTIONS! It almost seems like both of these lights are more so made for 5-10 gallon cube tanks.. Remember this is from long term experience and extensive PAR testing on my end.

4 years into the EVO with an AI Prime 16 HD - I am ready to upgrade. This light has been quite problematic, and really isn't the best option. You have to work around its problems instead of it working around what you want. Personally I think even if slightly overkill the Hydra, Blades, XR15s, larger Nicrew/Hyggers, Meridian 11, etc are much better options. You could do multiple AI Primes, but fitting them in would be difficult, and more expensive.

Would you rather have a light maxing out on settings and still not strong enough? Or a light that is much stronger than what you need and gives you the ability to dial back the settings to find a sweet spot. All of you saying the XR15 is overkill of a light - it is a fantastic light for the Evo and IMO much better option than the ones you are listing.

 

[ahosel10]

Bumping this post up again. Hoping the OP is still here as he has had posts from this year. If not hopefully this will help others. The AI Prime 16 HD and Kessil A80 are highly recommended for the Fluval Evo 13.5 gallon, but are they really that good for the tank?

IMHO - they are NOT. I love the Kessil A80, but the spread is awful. Having it on the Evo and testing PAR regularly it can barely go over 200 PAR in the upper tank areas without maxing out. The AI Prime 16 HD is definitely better, but the same issue persists! It is really lacking in spread on the Peninsula. If you want higher parts of your tank hitting 300+ PAR prepare to be replacing a lens 2x times a year, and replacing the light every couple years. Even maxed out the light can barely get to 300 PAR in upper portions of the tank. If you want all softies and LPS, and don't mind the sides of your tank being around 50 PAR this light will be okay. But there are definitely BETTER OPTIONS! It almost seems like both of these lights are more so made for 5-10 gallon cube tanks.. Remember this is from long term experience and extensive PAR testing on my end.

4 years into the EVO with an AI Prime 16 HD - I am ready to upgrade. This light has been quite problematic, and really isn't the best option. You have to work around its problems instead of it working around what you want. Personally I think even if slightly overkill the Hydra, Blades, XR15s, larger Nicrew/Hyggers, Meridian 11, etc are much better options. You could do multiple AI Primes, but fitting them in would be difficult, and more expensive.

Would you rather have a light maxing out on settings and still not strong enough? Or a light that is much stronger than what you need and gives you the ability to dial back the settings to find a sweet spot. All of you saying the XR15 is overkill of a light - it is a fantastic light for the Evo and IMO much better option than the ones you are listing.

I've noticed that this isn't a common set-up. I too have a Fluval 13.5 with a recently purchased XR15. Would you be willing to share your lighting schedule? I don't have access to a PAR meter, and based on your prior post, it sounds like you've done a fair share of testing. Thanks.

 

[gregrock68]

I think that light is too much overkill for a Nano. Not only from light spillage but also from electrical consumption.

You are correct! I have an xr30 g6 on my innovative marine fusion 40 and it is way overkill. I run it at 35% power max, nothing more or corals will burn in a few days and die!