how many Radions for 8 foot tank??

Cassian · May 29, 2019

Im upgrading soon to an 8 foot 24 in wide tank. I already have one radion xr30w G4. how many more would I need for the new tank? it says 24" spacing, so im thinking 3 would be enough, but I wanted to get an expert's opinion before I purchase. I was also considering doing a single strip of T5's, would that be a good idea? I primarily grow LPS and SPS

Hitman · May 29, 2019

For LPS 3 XR30’s with 2 - 60” T5’s will be plenty, for SPS I would go with 4 XR30’s and 4 - 60” T5’s. I know they are not even in the same class today but I’m running 6 AI Sol Blues ( 1st gen Hydra 52’s basically with less leds but more led pucks ) and 4 - 60” T5’s and have awesome growth at all depth levels on my tank.

dhuynh · May 29, 2019

3 would be enough, 4 would be better.

If you do 3, you'll have less par on sides.. but they'll let you put low light corals higher there giving you more aquascaping options.

Of course you can turn down the radions so getting 4 now means you don't have to change too much if you go all sps or decided to put your sps on the side instead.

Money is more the issue. If you can spend the cash, do it. Resell value on radions are good, so you won't lose too much if you decide you don't need it.

Cassian · May 29, 2019

thanks everyone! im buying them used if I can find some that are in good shape, so I will shoot for 4

Hitman · May 29, 2019

Wise choice!

Johnson556 · May 29, 2019

I have one that’s a month old I’m parting with for my downsize, shoot me a PM

TheHarold · May 29, 2019

I have 4 XR30w Pro and two XR15 Pro in my tank that size. In aquatic life hybrid T5 fixtures

. It’s very nice coverage

ca1ore · May 29, 2019

Four 30 pros or eight 15s. Personally I prefer the 15s. About the same price if you DIY the hangers.

ReeferBud · May 29, 2019

I run 5 G2s + 2 G3’s + T5s on my 8 ft tank.

Would really recommend the T5s for coverage.

I get really nice growth with this lighting combo.

Cassian · May 30, 2019

thanks everyone!

Brett S · May 30, 2019

I have 3 XR30w Pro’s over my 6 foot tank. I have mine set to slowly ramp up during the morning, then slowly ramp down in the evening, peaking at 100% for a few minutes in the afternoon. With supplemental light and/or running them at 100% for longer you could probably get away with 3 on an 8 foot tank, but 4 might be better.

The other thing you might want to consider is the placement of the cross braces on your tank, assuming it’s not rimless. My 6 foot tank has two cross braces, which creates three openings, so I have one light over each opening. If your 8 foot tank has 3 cross braces then going with three lights might put the lights directly over the braces, which wouldn’t be ideal.

Finally, one other note. If I had to do it over I would probably go with 6 XR15w Pro’s instead of 3 XR30w Pro’s. The 15’s are half the cost of the 30’s, so there is no extra cost involved and the 15’s will give you a bit more flexibility in placement... allowing you to separate them a little more front to back or maybe even stagger them a little... you might even be able to split the difference and do 7 XR15’s.

Aardvark1134 · May 30, 2019

How wide is the tank? On a lot of tanks people are now running a front and back row.
If the tank is 30+ inches wide consider running 2 rows of lights or taking the 30s and turning them sideways.

Cassian · May 30, 2019

Aardvark1134 said:
How wide is the tank? On a lot of tanks people are now running a front and back row.
If the tank is 30+ inches wide consider running 2 rows of lights or taking the 30s and turning them sideways.

the tank would be 24"