Adding Radions

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

I just bought a Radion XR15w Pro to go on the 40B with the XR30w Pro just to cover the entire tank. The 3+ inches on the ends is killing me. Just waiting on a new RMS from Ecotech, so I can mount it. Considering adding another XR15w to the other end, so the layout would be ... XR15w-XR30w-XR15w. I'm currently running my XR30w at 100%, turn it down (maybe 80-85%) when i add the XR15 ?? Also considering trading my XR30w for 2 XR15w Pros ... Over kill ?? Opinions ??

Pic is single XR30w Pro ...

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

I asked a coverage question in my topic and the consensus seemed to be that the xr30 pro is intended for 24-30 inch square coverage. Couldn't you just raise the fixture higher?

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

coker98 said:
I asked a coverage question in my topic and the consensus seemed to be that the xr30 pro is intended for 24-30 inch square coverage. Couldn't you just raise the fixture higher?

i COULD, but the corals love being blasted with light.

Antics · Aug 23, 2016

I don't mean to tell anyone how to spend their money, but $1,500 of Radion's on a 40 breeder HAS to be ridiculous. I think adding an additional XR15 would be overkill. One 30 and one 15 should be more than enough.

Just my opinion!

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

Antics said:
I don't mean to tell anyone how to spend their money, but $1,500 of Radion's on a 40 breeder HAS to be ridiculous. I think adding an additional XR15 would be overkill. One 30 and one 15 should be more than enough.

Just my opinion!

well, i value all opinions and we all know about that ever present future upgrade, lol

and this is more of LOOK (how the tank looks)thing than a needed upgrade

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

I think if blasting with light is what you're looking for you'll get it with one 30 and one 15.

I remember I had reefbreeders when they came out and I attempted to use the more intense range of the lights and my corals didn't respond well.

Tankd · Aug 23, 2016

Have 2 XR-30w's on a 90 mounted at 9" above water line. Coverage is perfect. No spillage of light outside of the tank. End to end coverage.

Antics · Aug 23, 2016

lReef lKeeper said:
well, i value all opinions and we all know about that ever present future upgrade, lol

Very true! Are you buying Gen 3 Radions or Gen 4? I've been looking into the Gen 4's and I was thinking about getting two of the new XR30s, but that's the same price as 4 XR15s and I feel like the flexibility and modular nature of the light means it makes no sense to buy 30s when there isn't even a price difference.

For example, Gen3 it was 399 vs 749, so buying two 15's was more expensive and didn't really make sense. This time Ecotech is pricing 399 or 799. It's cheaper to just buy two 15's and get more control and flexibility. Maybe I'm missing something, or perhaps Ecotech is banking on people wanting to buy fewer RMS.

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

What would be the useable spread for the xr15w pro on an sps tank? Sorry for the high jack.

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

Antics said:
Very true! Are you buying Gen 3 Radions or Gen 4? I've been looking into the Gen 4's and I was thinking about getting two of the new XR30s, but that's the same price as 4 XR15s and I feel like the flexibility and modular nature of the light means it makes no sense to buy 30s when there isn't even a price difference.

For example, Gen3 it was 399 vs 749, so buying two 15's was more expensive and didn't really make sense. This time Ecotech is pricing 399 or 799. It's cheaper to just buy two 15's and get more control and flexibility. Maybe I'm missing something, or perhaps Ecotech is banking on people wanting to buy fewer RMS.

i have a gen 3 xr30 pro and a gen 3 xr15 pro ... just debating on adding a second xr15 pro

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

coker98 said:
What would be the useable spread for the xr15w pro on an sps tank? Sorry for the high jack.

24"x24"

Antics · Aug 23, 2016

coker98 said:
What would be the useable spread for the xr15w pro on an sps tank? Sorry for the high jack.

Ecotech advertises "24-30 inches wide and deep" but I'd really think 16-20 would be closer to the mark.

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

lReef lKeeper said:
24"x24"

Well darn. At that spec, for my tank I might as well roll with 8 15s instead of 4 30s. Thanks.

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

coker98 said:
Well darn. At that spec, for my tank I might as well roll with 8 15s instead of 4 30s. Thanks.

probably be cheaper too, lol

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

lReef lKeeper said:
probably be cheaper too, lol

I think they are priced the same aren't they? I'll have to look up out out for the 15s now but I'm looking to go all radions on the new build.

lReef lKeeper · Aug 23, 2016

coker98 said:
I think they are priced the same aren't they? I'll have to look up out out for the 15s now but I'm looking to go all radions on the new build.

The prices are dropping like crazy due to the gen 4 release ...especially on used

coker98 · Aug 23, 2016

lReef lKeeper said:
The prices are dropping like crazy due to the gen 4 release ...especially on used

I'm going gen4 so price is same. I'm just looking at output now.

Greg Miller · Aug 23, 2016

I've been looking hard at the XR15s for my 75 gallon tank. I already have a XR30 Gen 3 and it covers very well on my 30 gallon tank. I just think two XR30s is probably overkill on a 75 gallon. I couldn't find the specs for the XR15 Gen 3 so I could compare them to the XR15 Gen 4 until I e-mailed Ecotech. These are very helpful stats to compare.
XR15 Gen3: http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/XR15wPro_Datasheet_NoBleed.pdf
XR15 G4: http://radion.ecotechmarine.com/

Kungpaoshizi · Aug 24, 2016

I've got 2-XR30W Pro's on my 36"x15" tank. Just the right amount of light imo with the wide angle lenses.

fredro · Aug 25, 2016

Not for nothing, but I'd say ANY Generatiin Radion at 100% over that 40B will COOK whatever you've got under it in due time. I'd say that light should be pumping out SPS level PAR at around 40%, with or without the XR15(s). Especially if they're on RMS mounts at around 8-9" above the water. I'm just offering a suggestion and I'm sure you know your tank better than I do, but 100% over a 40B seems way too much in my experience.