Led bar vs xr15 best coverage

[davsreef]

At the moment I have 3x xr15 g5 pros over a Red Sea reefer 525 and looking to add more coverage thinking about adding two 120 reef flare bars, but would another xr15 be better and also the cheaper option

 

[RGoltz]

@Flux Capacitor may have some insight here. We both run multiple XR15 on our tanks, he is running a slightly larger array than I am over his 525XL.

I’m curious: are you concerned with intensity or coverage (colonies are starting to shade areas or PAR)?

 

[davsreef]

Tank started lps dominant but has very much turned sps over the 10months it’s been running just feel their isn’t enough light to the sides

 

[davsreef]

Xr15 are running 81% on ab+

 

[SeaworthyAquatics]

Certainly easier to add another xr15 vs putting a whole new light bar on the set up. I'd probably got with a T5 hybrid if you're going to add a bar to the tank. What are you trying to grow?

 

[X-37B]

Tank started lps dominant but has very much turned sps over the 10months it’s been running just feel their isn’t enough light to the sides

Another xr15 would help but
if it was my system I would look at Orphek OR3 blue sky light bars.
2 would work and they provide great coverage. I use them to supplement my Halides.

 

[davsreef]

My only problem is I can’t suspend from the ceiling so trying to find something that can be tank mounted would be better! I have a 3D printed file to mount two reef flares to a rms rail hence the idea of bars

 

[davsreef]

Another xr15 would help but
if it was my system I would look at Orphek OR3 blue sky light bars.
2 would work and they provide great coverage. I use them to supplement my Halides.

Was thinking of orphex too just the bar idea I thought would help more

 

[Acros]

Checkout the reefbrite x series bars. I believe you will need something without optics to hang them as low as the xr15.

 

[X-37B]

Was thinking of orphex too just the bar idea I thought would help more

I just zoomed in on your system.
Honestly I would just add another xr15. Your system looks great and loves your current led setting so I think that would be ideal. The bars would work but I like the streamlined look of your current led system.

 

[RGoltz]

I agree with @90's reefer your system looks great and I would just add another XR15. Since you do not have a lid, it’s just plug and play.

On my 425XL, I have 3 XR15. The center of the outer lights are 10” from the outside edge. Mainly due to the aquascape, I have some shaded areas on the outsides at 140 PAR but again this is the aquascape at play rather than the lights. Any place that I want to place SPS is 250-300 PAR. I don’t feel like I have too much spill, and the coverage is quite good. See my PAR measurements below.

I think someday I will have larger colonies that will prompt a desire for more fill. But by then it will be time for a new tank and an LED panel or some hybrid with the Radions

 

[Flux Capacitor]

I agree I’d add one more xr15. I think that would give you the coverage you’re looking for. The 4 I have over my tank give plenty of light, and I have very little shading issues. When my tank grows out I’ll reevaluate, but I don’t see any need to add led bars or T5s.

 

[magikfly]

My only problem is I can’t suspend from the ceiling so trying to find something that can be tank mounted would be better! I have a 3D printed file to mount two reef flares to a rms rail hence the idea of bars

This may not be read anytime soon, but it's still worth a shot: can you share the STL?