help ! 2 xr15's or 1 xr30pro

[Madimod]

Hello,
My mind is set on the new gen 5 Radions but I cant decide 2 xr15's or 1xr30 . My new build will be a mixed reef RSR 250 and I like the look of one fixture over the tank but it seems most people run two 15 over similar tanks (at minimum) . Being that the 15's are half of a 30 is there a true advantage in a 36 inch tank ?

 

[PANONHAS]

I would say there is definitely and advantage on having 2 X15s vs 1 XR30. You would be stretching the spread of the XR30 to it max and will possibly have shaded spots. If you use the 2 XR15s spaces properly they will be covering a max of 18 each and the coverage of one should extend to the other so that you should have minimum shading

 

[Madimod]

thank you

 

[Jlyons]

I run two 15s on a 36" tank and couldn't agree more. They are gen 4s but the light spread is so much better.

 

[Rick Krejci]

How would you mount it/them? If you use their tank mount arm, then having one in the back middle of the RSR250 could be problematic with the overflow box there. I had 2 XR15's on my RSR 250 with 2 arms on either side of the overflow and it worked out better. Haveing 2 could also allow you to adjust either side if you want less light needing corals on one side or the other.

 

[shadow1013]

I'm currently looking at the XL 300 which is just a deeper 250 and I'm going for 2 XR15.

 

[WillH]

I’ve ran 2 xr15’s on 36 tank...strongly suggest. Or better yet, t5 hybrid with xr15’s!

 

[Madimod]

I’ve ran 2 xr15’s on 36 tank...strongly suggest. Or better yet, t5 hybrid with xr15’s!

that is the plan eventually

 

[Madimod]

seems like two 15's is the way to go

 

[siggy]

I went with 15's and am glad I did

 

[Madimod]

I ordered two xr15's . More gadgets to add to the pile for this build . Thanks for the input

 

[Keithb22]

I would say there is definitely and advantage on having 2 X15s vs 1 XR30. You would be stretching the spread of the XR30 to it max and will possibly have shaded spots. If you use the 2 XR15s spaces properly they will be covering a max of 18 each and the coverage of one should extend to the other so that you should have minimum shading

Purely for educational purposes, where are you finding the 18 max at? I want to make sure I’m not under lighting my tank. I talk to ecotec prior to buying my xr15p gen 5 and they were very confident that it would be quite effective up to 24x24x30. Again not being confrontational just want to see if I missed something. Thank you!

 

[shadow1013]

I know you already ordered, but I forgot another input. Two XR15s cost the same as a single XR30, only costs a little more overall because of the second arm, but the added control of spacing them further apart to get better spread is nice.

I ordered two xr15's . More gadgets to add to the pile for this build . Thanks for the input

 

[ca1ore]

If you can stomach double the cords, power bricks and hanging apparatus, using two 15s over a single 30 has long been my preference. More flexible positioning and better fan control.