PAR Map - XR-15s with and without diffusers

[Serpentman2024]

Some PAR readings I recently took of my (2) XR-15 Blues with and without diffusers. Tank (IM 75INT) display area is 35”x20”x19”. I also included a picture of my surface agitation as a reference.

EDIT: These are both G6’s mounted on Ecotech RMS mounts 6.5” apart. They are ~8.25” off the water’s surface.

 

[officialreefbros]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this. It's interesting to see the difference in some areas

 

[Borat]

So basically you can save money by not buying diffusor and save par as well?

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

Some PAR readings I recently took of my (2) XR-15 Blues with and without diffusers. Tank (IM 75INT) display area is 35”x20”x19”. I also included a picture of my surface agitation as a reference.

What height to you have the XR15's at?

 

[Serpentman2024]

So basically you can save money by not buying diffusor and save par as well?

Not trying to knock the diffusers but that was my take on it.

 

[Serpentman2024]

What height to you have the XR15's at?

They’re mounted 6.5” apart on the RMS mounts so distance between the LED and water surface is about 8.25”

 

[Kzang]

I have 2 g5 blues, 1 g6 blue, and 2 g6 pros over a 5 ft all with diffusers. Taking them off, I can’t tell the difference so I’m just leaving them off for the normal par versus decreased with them on

 

[Serpentman2024]

Little update. Not quite an apples to apples comparison as I changed my aquascape and added a Kessil A360X. The Kessil won't connect to a controller so is manually tuned to blue end of the spectrum at 100% output. I also installed high intensity lenses (less spread) on the Radions.

Just playing around, anecdotally speaking, the intensity lenses do seem to make a difference. Will take more measurements at 100% output and also without the Kessil.

 

[KC2020]

Your bubble tips will love that much light. Keep it up and soon they'll start splitting.

Both the lenses and the diffusers protect the LEDs from salt. I checked with my PAR meter and the loss from the diffuser was well worth the negligible loss of light.