How many XR15s for a 180 tank?

[Scottiemac]

Tank is 72x24x25. I currently have four XR15 Pro lights on the rail. Is this enough for mild SPS or should I get more?
OR, should I get something like Kessil to enhance what I already have?

 

[TX_REEF]

Should you get more? How much money do you have?

Just kidding I think4 should be plenty across a 6 foot tank for SPS, especially in the upper half. Adding a few kessils will enhance shimmer and coloration, but shouldn't be necessary for growth.

 

[Lavey29]

Tank is 72x24x25. I currently have four XR15 Pro lights on the rail. Is this enough for mild SPS or should I get more?
OR, should I get something like Kessil to enhance what I already have?

Not enough par in my opinion. XR15 lights are weak par lights. XR30s much better for your size tank.

 

[Hot2na]

six

 

[Troylee]

I’d say 8-10 to get proper coverage.. lol. Them lights are horrible honestly.. you could get away with 4 xr30’s but the 15’s are no bueno I sold all of mine.

 

[Lavey29]

I’d say 8-10 to get proper coverage.. lol. Them lights are horrible honestly.. you could get away with 4 xr30’s but the 15’s are no bueno I sold all of mine.

He could probably combine 4 XR15 with T5s for a suitable combo right?

 

[Troylee]

He could probably combine 4 XR15 with T5s for a suitable combo right?

Yes t5 are amazing at blanket coverage… I wouldn’t use 15’s as a stand alone at all! Hybrids like you mentioned sure!

 

[Lavey29]

Yes t5 are amazing at blanket coverage… I wouldn’t use 15’s as a stand alone at all! Hybrids like you mentioned sure!

Much cheaper then replacing everything with 4 XR30s.

 

[Troylee]

Much cheaper then replacing everything with 4 XR30s.

Agreed! If I ever went back to led id go with reefi uno pros they are an amazing led light and par beasts! Once I saw my buddies tank and the numbers I decided that’s what I was gonna use lol.. I started selling my 15’s and decided nah I’m a halide guy! Hahahahahaha

 

[exnisstech]

Depends on coral placement. Three would be fine if you place the coral under them. If you want coral end to end probably six. I have a tank the same size and run six Noopsyche K7 pros. I had three xr15 gen4 but wanted to keep clams and didn't want to spend the money to add more radions.

 

[X-37B]

I would run 6. I ran 4 on my 4' 80 with good results.
I am running RB's on my new 150 and will use the 15's on my frag system.
They work well if you have enough of them, imo.

 

[nereefpat]

Any center braces in the way?
What do you mean by "mild SPS"?

Branching SPS will shade themselves eventually. The more of those style of LEDs, the less shadows. There are probably better options than adding more XR15s, if you want to run those 4 and add something else.

 

[Scottiemac]

Not enough par in my opinion. XR15 lights are weak par lights. XR30s much better for your size tank.

Let's assume for a moment that I already have the XR15s and don't want to replace them all.

 

[TehBrainz]

Have you tested par under them in your tank yet?

 

[Troylee]

Let's assume for a moment that I already have the XR15s and don't want to replace them all.

Couple 6ft bars or t5’s would work with ya got.

 

[TehBrainz]

Couple 6ft bars or t5’s would work with ya got.

What would be your recommendation for the 6ft bars? I've got a similar setup to OP and have enough lighting for my tank but it's just softies and some LPS atm.

 

[rtparty]

Don’t listen to anyone telling you the 15s won’t work. That’s nonsense.

Assuming you don’t have braces, you’re asking each XR15 to cover an 18*24 area. They are easily capable of this. How do I know? That’s exactly what mine are doing. I get super even coverage and can hit over 400 PAR at my top SPS. I’m between 2-250 PAR on the sand. That’s more than enough light for anything out there. If you’re really worried, grab a 57 or 66” Blade and you’re set

 

[VintageReefer]

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[Troylee]

What would be your recommendation for the 6ft bars? I've got a similar setup to OP and have enough lighting for my tank but it's just softies and some LPS atm.

Quanta of reefbrites would be my choice personally. I run reefbrite xho on my tank to supplement my halides.

 

[Troylee]

Don’t listen to anyone telling you the 15s won’t work. That’s nonsense.

Assuming you don’t have braces, you’re asking each XR15 to cover an 18*24 area. They are easily capable of this. How do I know? That’s exactly what mine are doing. I get super even coverage and can hit over 400 PAR at my top SPS. I’m between 2-250 PAR on the sand. That’s more than enough light for anything out there. If you’re really worried, grab a 57 or 66” Blade and you’re set

There’s a difference between things surviving and thriving. You got a blade or something between your 15’s on your tank to get them numbers.. maybe gen 4 radions could hit that in the sand but the newer 5 and 6 is really horrible about par! Lucky to get 50-75 in the sand.. on a over lap you might see 100.. look at Charlie’s frags little cube.. he had to run 3 - xr15’s over a 60gal cube to get the par numbers and results he wanted. That’s a 24x24 area sps dominated. It’s been documented and I’ve fallen into the 15 trap myself.

Par reading XR15G6 g6

Par readings 6in below water with mounting height 9in is only 250 with ab+ 100% schedule Intensity?

www.reef2reef.com