Photon V2 too XR15 Gen 5?

[Chris Spaulding]

I currently have the Photon V2 36” over my RedSea Reefer 250 , 36x21x21. The tank is SPS dominate with few softies at the bottom. The tank is doing great but I have been thinking about moving to 2 XR15 pros. Would 2 XR15 be enough to support The SPS ? I watched the BRS videos on them and if the tank was 4 foot I would need 4, but this tank is 3 foot so will 2 be enough ,or should I just stay with what I have?

 

[WvAquatics]

Why not just get the t5 hybrid for the photon. Photon can grow the sps you already have it. If you want more just add some t5?

 

[ca1ore]

I replaced my photons with radion G4 about three years ago. The change was nothing short of .... well, actually it really made no difference to growth or appearance. I’m sure the Gen5 improvement is massive though ...... I’m a pretty self aware guy and simply accept that these upgrades are more about me just wanting something new and different rather than some unrealistic or fanciful expecation that a new light will make much difference. I’m also increasingly cynical these days and threads where folks extol the virtues of their new-for-a-week lighting that has made <insert favored hyperbole here>. Makes me laugh, which is something I suppose.

 

[cvrle1]

Why change something that works? You say your tank is doing great, so absolutely no reason to change lights at all, and run a risk of things going wrong.

 

[Tariq]

folks extol the virtues of their new-for-a-week lighting that has made <insert favored hyperbole here>. Makes me laugh, which is something I suppose.
[/QUOTE]

Like when someone says “ I installed new lights yesterday and my corals are loving it”
Or, “my fish have never looked happier”

 

[adrianr514]

I have two G5 Blues over a 40 breeder and get 300 par mid tank, 200 bottom and more higher up.

 

[jda]

I do not think that would be an upgrade, just a change. Probably a step back for performance, so you better love the apps, or thunderstorms or whatever has you wanting to move to Radion.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I think is was just wanting the next best thing but some of the comments here made me realize this . If anything maybe add another V2 and mount it next to the other so is blankets the whole tank

 

[User1]

I’m also increasingly cynical these days and threads where folks extol the virtues of their new-for-a-week lighting that has made <insert favored hyperbole here>. Makes me laugh, which is something I suppose.

You have a way with words

 

[jda]

I have gotten pretty cynical too, but maybe not yet to the Simon level, and have learned that upgrades are just like every other form of excitement... where almost nothing lives up to the hype outside of good Kansas City BBQ, a few wonderful vacation destinations and maybe a kid leaving your home to go to college (and then later getting off of the payroll)... probably a few others that I am forgetting...

In any case, the apps fo the G5 have been a disaster, so wait a year for EcoTech to let all their customers test and figure out the bugs in their apps. By the, people will have an idea if the light truly is better, or not, since some time will have passed. Also have to figure out if the new diffusers are good to have or not - the lights were not supposed to need them, but they are for sale anyway... need some time to get that sorted.

 

[Dr. Jim]

Funny....I was thinking of going from G5XR15's to PhotonV2!!

And, BTW....I have no problem with Mobius app, once I learned it (which required about 6 phone calls to Echotech support).

 

[ca1ore]

Like when someone says “ I installed new lights yesterday and my corals are loving it” Or, “my fish have never looked happier”

Yes, good examples. I have been keeping salt water fish since 1987 and I have no idea how to tell when my fish are happy versus not happy …. although I suppose cowering in the corner could be construed as 'not happy'. Either way, I try not to anthropomorphize my fish.

 

[ca1ore]

You have a way with words

A significant part of my job is writing, so I certainly hope so . I also am a supply chain guy, so the last few months have been interesting with lots to write about.

 

[levi83]

I have two G5 Blues over a 40 breeder and get 300 par mid tank, 200 bottom and more higher up.Xr

I have two G5 Blues over a 40 breeder and get 300 par mid tank, 200 bottom and more higher up.

these are XR 15’s correct? I’m trying to figure out if I need two or 3.

 

[adrianr514]

Yes XR15s

 

[Bpb]

where almost nothing lives up to the hype outside of ... and maybe a kid leaving your home to go to college

Mine are so young the thought of that terrifies me!

On topic though. With led use...mechanics of delivery are king to sps colonies. I’d sooner take royal blue and warm white covering the entire footprint of the tank just on and off on a timer, over a couple super expensive dense matrices with cool software and every wavelength in the visual spectrum.

To that end, a photon v2 the length of the tank is preferable to me than a pair of more expensive puck type lights (I know the g5 aren’t as pucky as the g1-4 were, but they still are as compared to a reef breeders panel). Your proposed change might be an improvement in software and quality of housing materials, but when it comes to actual light delivery, I would consider it a downgrade

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I just started a new build and this thread comes into play. I am going to stick with what I have had success with. New tank is 60x24x24 and I am thinking 2 50"photon V2+ mounted side by side making it in a sense a whole large panel one the tank.

 

[Bpb]

I just started a new build and this thread comes into play. I am going to stick with what I have had success with. New tank is 60x24x24 and I am thinking 2 50"photon V2+ mounted side by side making it in a sense a whole large panel one the tank.

My same plan with the same dimensions of tank. 15” off the top of the tank. Going to try out running a similar photoperiod and color layout as Adam @Battlecorals