Help Me "Lighting Poll"

[cpllongjk]

Please answer this poll in order to help me decide which way to go!

Tank Stats
Waterbox Frag 105.4 (48" x 24" x 16"Tall)
Current Lights (2x XR15 G4 "PRO" Approximately 2 years old each)
Mixed Reef with select SPS at top (by select I mean colorful and expensive, due to only being a few)
The rest of the tank will be torches/hammers/frogspawn, basically things that move and look nice.

 

[MnFish1]

I voted for '3' but my guess is number 1 would work as well. Here would be my comment - with that size tank - I strongly believe you can cover your area with 2 G5's. You can sell the G4's. Yes - its more expensive. But - you're getting 2 lights that are new. If you buy one New G4 - then - if the other ones fail (which should happen before the new one) - it seems like you will be back with the same problem. I'm extremely happy with my G5XR30 Pros. Good luck with whatever decision you make

 

[cpllongjk]

I voted for '3' but my guess is number 1 would work as well. Here would be my comment - with that size tank - I strongly believe you can cover your area with 2 G5's. You can sell the G4's. Yes - its more expensive. But - you're getting 2 lights that are new. If you buy one New G4 - then - if the other ones fail (which should happen before the new one) - it seems like you will be back with the same problem. I'm extremely happy with my G5XR30 Pros. Good luck with whatever decision you make

Thanks, that's an option I didn't consider either.
Do you think 2x G5s would be better spread for my tank than 2 G4s?
Would just 2x G5s be enough or would I need to add a 3rd G5 down the road as well?

 

[MnFish1]

Thanks, that's an option I didn't consider either.
Do you think 2x G5s would be better spread for my tank than 2 G4s?
Would just 2x G5s be enough or would I need to add a 3rd G5 down the road as well?

I have 2 G5 Pros on my 5 foot tank - and its plenty of spread for mine. I definitely like the G5's much better than the G4's - the fan is on the top - not the bottom, saving problems, etc.. Thats my opinion. I do not see you needing to add a third G5

 

[X-37B]

I like option #1.

 

[MONTANTK]

Do the cheapest option. I recently switched from a Reefbreeder to a G5 and I don’t regret it. Better off just sticking with the G4s

 

[cpllongjk]

Do the cheapest option. I recently switched from a Reefbreeder to a G5 and I don’t regret it. Better off just sticking with the G4s

What made you want to switch from Reefbreeder to radions?

 

[MaxTremors]

Are you feeling like you need more light or are you wanting to upgrade just to upgrade?

 

[MONTANTK]

What made you want to switch from Reefbreeder to radions?

I tinkered around with the settings for months and could never find a color I liked. I also didn’t like how the colors blended and my zoas/acans never really seemed to thrive. Obviously I’m just one data point but I put the Radion over my tank using AB+ mode and everything looks fantastic

 

[cpllongjk]

Are you feeling like you need more light or are you wanting to upgrade just to upgrade?

Oh, I definitely have shadows with just 2 xr15s g4s. I know I will need to add a 3rd light soon and currently my PAR map of my tank falls flat in the middle of the tank and on the outer edges. A 3rd light would allow me to ensure 150-250 par throughout most of my tank and reduce shadows.

I definitely don't want to upgrade just to upgrade. But I also know that right now, 2 lights is working, but give it 6 months and I will need to add a 3rd. I am just trying to figure this all out before it is knocking on my doorstep.

 

[cpllongjk]

I tinkered around with the settings for months and could never find a color I liked. I also didn’t like how the colors blended and my zoas/acans never really seemed to thrive. Obviously I’m just one data point but I put the Radion over my tank using AB+ mode and everything looks fantastic

Yeah that is my concern with the Reefbreeders as well. After talking with Adam at BattleCorals he told me he was running his at 100% all channels but they are very high over his frag tanks in order to get the most spread possible. I can only go so high over my tank as to avoid "viewing the tank and blinding myself" syndrome.

 

[MnFish1]

Oh, I definitely have shadows with just 2 xr15s g4s. I know I will need to add a 3rd light soon and currently my PAR map of my tank falls flat in the middle of the tank and on the outer edges. A 3rd light would allow me to ensure 150-250 par throughout most of my tank and reduce shadows.

I definitely don't want to upgrade just to upgrade. But I also know that right now, 2 lights is working, but give it 6 months and I will need to add a 3rd. I am just trying to figure this all out before it is knocking on my doorstep.

Just thought of this - it would be nice to see a picture of your tank. For example in mine - I have lower light requiring corals in the 'middle' between the lights - and others under the lights. I might suggest that I'm not sure you will need to upgrade in 6 months - in the sense that the coral will grow where it wants to grow. you can just trim the coral. But in any case - the G5Pro's are awesome, (to me), worth the money - and I would (sorry to repeat) - definitely do that as compared to adding another G4. Since you have 6 months - you can look for deals, etc. I might suggest that

 

[MnFish1]

For example if you like the blue:

Two Radion XR30 Blue Gen 5

This thread is for the general discussion of the classified ad Two Radion XR30 Blue Gen 5. For more information about this item, please click the link or ask a question in this thread. Please add to the discussion here.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[shandoee]

I may be biased. But I would go with blues. U can get away with 2 XR15 blues if you’re doing mainly mixed and some SPS. I personally love the blending of the colors even without a diffuser.

 

[Jonreefer]

In my past tank I had in 2020 was a Redsea Reefer 350 it was 48x19x20
I had 2 Radion G4 XR15 on it and it needed a 3rd. I didnt want to pay for another one because after testing it with a par meter I wasnt impresed.
I neded up selling them and bought 3 Noopsyche K7II pro lights and it was an even trade selling the 2 radions and getting the 3 Noopsyche. I had previous use with the noopsyche on my old tank and liked them. Not sure if your into that route to take.

 

[cpllongjk]

This is my current setup. I’m slowly adding sps and lps

 

[cpllongjk]

Here’s one without the lights on.

 

[cpllongjk]

Thank you for all your responses and votes. I ended up buying a used xr15 gen 4. Many of you all confirmed what I knew should be the correct course of action but I just needed a "push" and more opinions on the matter.

 

[MnFish1]

Thank you for all your responses and votes. I ended up buying a used xr15 gen 4. Many of you all confirmed what I knew should be the correct course of action but I just needed a "push" and more opinions on the matter.

Hopefully you got a good price!

 

[neotactical]

Thank you for all your responses and votes. I ended up buying a used xr15 gen 4. Many of you all confirmed what I knew should be the correct course of action but I just needed a "push" and more opinions on the matter.

Were you happy with your decision? I'm in the same boat with a frag 105.4 except I have 2 XR15Blue Gen 5's. Max par I see where I continue to fail with easy SPS is about 235 at the highest. I can get it higher if I crank the red and green up, but I don't like the color output.