USCGReefer
Community Member
Is 3 XR15 gen3s enough for a 180?
Any other recommended options maybe cheaper?
Any other recommended options maybe cheaper?
180 lighting
- Thread starter USCGReefer
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I have a 180. I’ve never had radions but don’t think 3 XR15’s would work on my mixed reef. I would probably start with 4-6 depending on your bracing. I don’t know what your system is, but I would consider an aquatic life t5 hybrid. I use that plus kessils. You can just use T5’s now and add LED’s later if you want. If you don’t like that option but want low cost look at black boxes.
Black box led lights
whats everyones take on these? and what brand? seems to be a few different ones online also successful on sps? please share stories amd photos
www.reef2reef.com
I was actually just talking with a gentleman from Orphek today about lighting for my 180. Originally I was thinking 3 kessil A360x but was also thinking I may need 4-6 due to my particular dimensions. 72"x18"x30"
The gentleman from Orphek said he would recommend 4-6 of the orphek OR3 36" bars. At $170 each, even with 6 bars they come in cheaper than 3 XR15's or kessil A360x's but will have better light spread and more even par across the tank. That would be for a full mixed reef tank. I also love the fact that I could easily add two more bars if I wanted to go more heavily on SPS which means only an extra $340 vs another $450 fixture. But in short he did say that 4 bars would be enough for most corals with SPS towards the top of the tank. If you think about $ per watt of light, to match the wattage of 6 of the OR3 bars, you'd need 4.3 100W fixtures like the XR15's or 4.8 of the 90W fixtures like a Kessil A360X. So basically 5 fixtures to come to the same wattage. Price wise thought thats $2250 for 5 fixtures vs $1020 for 6 OR3 bars. I know which route my wallet wants me to go with.
As far as controllablility goes, he said Orphek is currently working on a wifi module for the bars (also mentioned that its fully backwards compatible) that will offer progressive dimming, sunrise/sunset, and more. He said that the wifi module is expected to hit the market before the end of the year even.
The gentleman from Orphek said he would recommend 4-6 of the orphek OR3 36" bars. At $170 each, even with 6 bars they come in cheaper than 3 XR15's or kessil A360x's but will have better light spread and more even par across the tank. That would be for a full mixed reef tank. I also love the fact that I could easily add two more bars if I wanted to go more heavily on SPS which means only an extra $340 vs another $450 fixture. But in short he did say that 4 bars would be enough for most corals with SPS towards the top of the tank. If you think about $ per watt of light, to match the wattage of 6 of the OR3 bars, you'd need 4.3 100W fixtures like the XR15's or 4.8 of the 90W fixtures like a Kessil A360X. So basically 5 fixtures to come to the same wattage. Price wise thought thats $2250 for 5 fixtures vs $1020 for 6 OR3 bars. I know which route my wallet wants me to go with.
As far as controllablility goes, he said Orphek is currently working on a wifi module for the bars (also mentioned that its fully backwards compatible) that will offer progressive dimming, sunrise/sunset, and more. He said that the wifi module is expected to hit the market before the end of the year even.
