How to properly determine light strength before purchasing?

[jayteerq]

Hi all. I’m looking to upgrade my lighting from 2 AI Primes. I have a 48” tank and these lights are barely making it sustainable for my tank lol. I want to upgrade my lights but want to make sure I have plenty of room for par to grow acros in the future. My question is.. how do I find out which is the stronger light? I’ve been researching on both but it all seems like anecdotal evidence. My two setup goals are this…

2 XR15’s + 2 AI Blades (Grow & Glow)
OR
1 Proton 48-V2 Pro

I’ve searched around and seen people’s intensities maxed out and only reaching 250 par for both lights. But I’ve also seen people reach 400+ par for both lights. So I’m confused with the information and want to learn where I can find more concrete answers. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jay Cesar]

Hey so I have 48” tank with the support bracket in the middle. I currently have 4 primes and 2 21”grows and 2 21”glows. I just rented the par meter from brs and to my surprise I was getting immense par 4 inches below the surface and was getting over 600par with the cool whites at 50% during peak times. I just lowered them to 38% and I’m getting low 400 par 6inches below the surface. My lights are also mounted 10inches above the surface and no lid!

 

[MoshJosh]

Yeah it’s tough when people are posting different results. I guess for me I would try to find as many posts about par for the specific light keeping in mind the light settings being used in combination with manufacturer par readings and tank size recommendations.

Also, how deep is your tank and at what depth are you planning to grow acropora.

I have no experience with the lights you are looking at but all things being equal I would prefer to run one fixture instead of foot just as a matter of convenience, but just my opinion.

 

[jayteerq]

Hey so I have 48” tank with the support bracket in the middle. I currently have 4 primes and 2 21”grows and 2 21”glows. I just rented the par meter from brs and to my surprise I was getting immense par 4 inches below the surface and was getting over 600par with the cool whites at 50% during peak times. I just lowered them to 38% and I’m getting low 400 par 6inches below the surface. My lights are also mounted 10inches above the surface and no lid!

Wow nice! You got alot of fixtures though so im not surprised with your output!

 

[jayteerq]

Yeah it’s tough when people are posting different results. I guess for me I would try to find as many posts about par for the specific light keeping in mind the light settings being used in combination with manufacturer par readings and tank size recommendations.

Also, how deep is your tank and at what depth are you planning to grow acropora.

I have no experience with the lights you are looking at but all things being equal I would prefer to run one fixture instead of foot just as a matter of convenience, but just my opinion.

Yeah that makes sense! Im going to attempt to gather up all the information I can and make an educated guess haha. My tank is 22" deep and I'd be planting the acros as high as my rockwork allows. Highest point is roughly 14"

 

[Jay Cesar]

Wow nice! You got alot of fixtures though so im not surprised with your output!

Personally I think u can get great par for acros just with the blades, that’s just my opinion.

 

[jayteerq]

Personally I think u can get great par for acros just with the blades, that’s just my opinion.

That's very reassuring I think im going to go with the XR15's & Blades. I like the look of the combo hung from the ceiling lol

 

[KrisReef]

That's very reassuring I think im going to go with the XR15's & Blades. I like the look of the combo hung from the ceiling lol

That's probably the best way to measure the PAR, if you like the look then it's good to go!

I have a Blade over my fish tank, I have never measured the PAR but I have been growing anemone's that seem happy. I am too lazy to break out the meter but maybe next week I will. I ordered a teloscoping arm to replace the flimsy fiberglass fishing pole arm that I bought when I got the meter. I lent it out and it came back in two pieces, taped together in the box.

Very happy with how my blade looks over our 5" tank

 

[jayteerq]

That's probably the best way to measure the PAR, if you like the look then it's good to go!

I have a Blade over my fish tank, I have never measured the PAR but I have been growing anemone's that seem happy. I am too lazy to break out the meter but maybe next week I will. I ordered a teloscoping arm to replace the flimsy fiberglass fishing pole arm that I bought when I got the meter. I lent it out and it came back in two pieces, taped together in the box.

Very happy with how my blade looks over our 5" tank

Yeah unfortunately Im big when it comes to aesthetics haha. But I think things will go well with Par Output, I'll definitely buy a Par meter as well

 

[KrisReef]

Yeah unfortunately Im big when it comes to aesthetics haha. But I think things will go well with Par Output, I'll definitely buy a Par meter as well

I just noticed while I was looking at BRS that they will sell you a new meter and you can use it then return it for only $100. I have used mine so little. I am excited to get the telescopic arm so I can store it in a smaller box.

 

[exnisstech]

I think im going to go with the XR15's

Don't be surprised if you wake up in the middle of night and the radions are on because mobius decided to change date and time. My gen4 xr15s are sitting on the shelf for that reason and I'm running photons over two tanks and noopsyche k7s over the 3rd.

 

[Jay Cesar]

I just noticed while I was looking at BRS that they will sell you a new meter and you can use it then return it for only $100. I have used mine so little. I am excited to get the telescopic arm so I can store it in a smaller box.

This is what I’m currently doing! Not a bad deal for something you’ll won’t really use that much!

 

[exnisstech]

ecotech mobius date time issue site:www.reef2reef.com - Google Search

 

[KrisReef]

This is what I’m currently doing! Not a bad deal for something you’ll won’t really use that much!

I probably should add I didn't read the fine print on the "deal" so I don't want to give the impression that they actually take it back and refund, without any fine print exceptions ?

I think they are an ok vendor but I did not return my meter, or know anyone else who has. And remember,

Smoking is Dangerous!

 

[DrkNMighty]

Don't be surprised if you wake up in the middle of night and the radions are on because mobius decided to change date and time. My gen4 xr15s are sitting on the shelf for that reason and I'm running photons over two tanks and noopsyche k7s over the 3rd.

I second this. I only have MP40s and an AI gyre that I run through mobius, but I have had this happen a few times. The date and time get thrown off and will cause the schedule to get out of sync. I can't imagine how annoying this issue would be with lights.

 

[exnisstech]

I second this. I only have MP40s and an AI gyre that I run through mobius, but I have had this happen a few times. The date and time get thrown off and will cause the schedule to get out of sync. I can't imagine how annoying this issue would be with lights.

Same. 7 vortechs so I'm committed for flow but have moved on for lighting.

 

[DanyL]

I think the differences you see on PAR measurements with the XR15s are due to the change in spread between the 5th and 6th gen.

IMO they aren’t a great deal, and very weak for the price they ask for.

If you do like the spectrum and form factor of the XR15, look at the ReeFi Uno 2.1 - it’s approx the same size and price, but packing more power than the XR30, have a wider spectrum and comes with 2 spreading options (90 and 120 degrees).

Just another option to consider.

 

[mrpontiac80]

I have a 4’ tank with a reefbreeders photon v2 48” and love it. I started with 2 ai primes then added a 3rd. Finally invested in a par meter and a 48” photon and never looked back.

I eventually added a 180 gallon and use reefbreeders photons over that tank also. Great lights. Although the app is not as nice as AI.

As for par, I think it depends on what par meter said person is using, and how high the lights are above the tank and also if they are using mostly blues or lots of whites also

 

[oreo54]

That's very reassuring I think im going to go with the XR15's & Blades. I like the look of the combo hung from the ceiling lol

Well that brings up a point.
Many par differences can probably be attributed to different hanging heights and distance from light to water surface.
So I second mrpontiac80..
If I remember correctly xr15s gen 6 ( height will depend on gen and lens angle ) are a wider angle than the blades. Well blades are listed as 95 degrees.

Radion G6 increases output from an impressive 110.5 degrees in the G5 to a staggering 126.3 degrees.

And I'm pretty sure what is considered normal height for stand alone G6s is generally wrong.
Due to popular demand (i.e criticism) they did come up with a narrower angle lens replacement.

Doing a 48" photon simplifies things.

Now you said your tank is 48" and 21" deep.
How wide?
In some instances this measurement needs to be taken into consideration.
Like if real wide you may want the puck/ bar thing to spread the light out a bit.

Next it depends on ones " color" preference and the lights color design.

Like if one prefers the blue look you don't get the " pro" version if the Radion and shut off 1/2 of the color.
Same w/ your blades.

Compared to your ai prime on full about 100w total to your upgrade to 400 plus watts for the Radion,/ blade
250 listed for the Photon.

As to your orig. question "properly" determine isn't the same as guesstimating.
Properly would be in tank under water .. but of course you need somewhere to start. As unpopular as it is watts per gallon on normal tanks has "some" validity. Unfortunately it is more likely you will buy larger than needed lights. Fortunately most leds are easily dimmed.

I'll guess you have about a 100gal tank. 300 watts of good leds should do it..
As you have been doing, checking around is the addendum to this guess.
The reefbreeder is "only" 250w rated (honestly not sure that is real world) but generally punches above its class via lensing and concurrent less waste. But again, you start shutting channels of... well you get the idea.

What would t5 or mh users use?
54 x 8 tubes,, 2 250 ( or 2 150w) mh bulbs?
Both have about the same overall inherent efficiency ( in reg bulbs approx 100 lumens/watt. Note though current leds are 50% more efficient at like 150 L/W and 100l/w Also lumens are not a good measurement for reef centric bulbs but used as a proxy of efficiency) where leds have better focus (less waste).
but again.. at full.

 

[gongshow1988]

Hi all. I’m looking to upgrade my lighting from 2 AI Primes. I have a 48” tank and these lights are barely making it sustainable for my tank lol. I want to upgrade my lights but want to make sure I have plenty of room for par to grow acros in the future. My question is.. how do I find out which is the stronger light? I’ve been researching on both but it all seems like anecdotal evidence. My two setup goals are this…

2 XR15’s + 2 AI Blades (Grow & Glow)
OR
1 Proton 48-V2 Pro

I’ve searched around and seen people’s intensities maxed out and only reaching 250 par for both lights. But I’ve also seen people reach 400+ par for both lights. So I’m confused with the information and want to learn where I can find more concrete answers. Thanks in advance!

I love my reefbreeders photon V2 pro. Not sure if you are in a big rush or not but they are releasing their new meridian lights by this fall, and I’ve gotten to see them in person at my local reef club and they are incredible.