New lights for my DT

[Slodoc07]

I'm looking at going a different direction with the lights on my Display tank. I have a 60x24x24 take with 3 Radion XR15 pro/s and i am noticing a lot more shadowing than id like. I only have then at 45% as the corals are still acclimating but i'm sure the shadows would remain at higher percentages. Nonetheless i'm considering the Maxspect Razor x and possibly trading my Radions for a Geissman Aurora 48''. My main question is for the Geismann. Being that it is 48'' and i need 60'', do T5's light spread fan out like LED's or will i need a 60'' fixture for full coverage. I just need the edges of the tank to be illuminated for corals that don't need high par. Second question is, would the Maxspect Razor X be better than 3 XR 15's?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

If it were me, I’d get this hybrid fixture (59” long, which is odd but they should be standard bulbs still) and keep my XR15’s to use in conjunction with the t5 fixture.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/59-stellar-t5-4x80w-hybrid-retro-light-fixture-giesemann.html

 

[BestMomEver]

I don’t know about the Maxspect lights but I have the xr15’s over my 90 tall (36x24x24). My lights ramp up and, at the highest in the middle of the day, are at 100%. It didn’t take long for my corals to adjust and they grow well. The xr15’s have a 24” spread so three lights over 60” should suffice. Possibly you should spread them out a bit. I don’t have any dark spots really.... except the back corners of the overflow. Also, mine are mounted on top of a canopy with holes cut to allow light to go through.

I have considered adding some t5’s but they would sit too close to the water. Anyway, why don’t you wait till you have yours at a higher intensity, then look at it for a bit. Certainly, it’s a matter of personal preference but lights are expensive!

 

[Jay Norris]

Hi, why not get 3 more XR 15 pro's, or 2 new Mitra LX 7206 lights, and with the lighting you currently have on your tank you are way under powered for that size tank.

 

[BestMomEver]

Hi, why not get 3 more XR 15 pro's, or 2 new Mitra LX 7206 lights, and with the lighting you currently have on your tank you are way under powered for that size tank.

I politely disagree. The xr15’s have a spread of 24x24. In my experience, they are plenty for a tank of those dimensions.

 

[Jay Norris]

I politely disagree. The xr15’s have a spread of 24x24. In my experience, they are plenty for a tank of those dimensions.

The XR 30 pros have a 24 x 24 coverage area, and I believe the XR 15’s are only 90 watts each, not nearly enough light for a tank that size if you want to keep SPS corals. If this were my system, I would use 2 Mitra LX 7206 lights and be done with it.

 

[jda]

Expecting even a xr30 to cover 24x24 with actual colonies is a joke - there is no way around the shadowing. This is why most end up with T5s or new panels once stuff starts to grow. I would get a 60" light. I had a 7 foot tank lit with a 6 foot light and I hated it... I added lights onto the end eventually to make sure that everything was lit up. However, I was wall-to-wall rock and corals that were underlit, so if you have open areas on the end, then the 48 might be OK.

 

[Slodoc07]

Expecting even a xr30 to cover 24x24 with actual colonies is a joke - there is no way around the shadowing. This is why most end up with T5s or new panels once stuff starts to grow. I would get a 60" light. I had a 7 foot tank lit with a 6 foot light and I hated it... I added lights onto the end eventually to make sure that everything was lit up. However, I was wall-to-wall rock and corals that were underlit, so if you have open areas on the end, then the 48 might be OK.

I only anticipate having a few SPS towards the top of the tank for now, that’s why I went with xr15’s instead of 30’s. I like SPS’s but I like the look of movement and I’m really into torches right now. I know this hobby is every changing and my interest may as well. Maybe I should wait until I see what the xr15’s can do at their full potential.

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I only anticipate having a few SPS towards the top of the tank for now, that’s why I went with xr15’s instead of 30’s. I like SPS’s but I like the look of movement and I’m really into torches right now. I know this hobby is every changing and my interest may as well. Maybe I should wait until I see what the xr15’s can do at their full potential.

That sounds like a solid plan.