Radions worth it for mixed reef?

[teethdoctor23]

I’m upgrading my tank and I’m stuck on lighting. New tank is 5ft, 2 feet deep (width). Current plan is 4 XR15s for good spread. Planning on doing a mixed reef, acros and euphyllia mostly. Setup of the rock will be 2 separate islands, with lots of room for my fish to swim. Picture below for an example of how I want my scape to look. I also prefer lights that have mounting arms, as my wife won’t allow me to hang any lights.

I’ve heard so many mixed opinions on lighting, and I know that water parameters and stability are much more important but I want good, quality lighting so that I know my lights won’t be the issue. My current AI Hydra 32 is growing my acros in my current tank just fine, so I’m confident in my ability to control parameters.

Current options are radions, reefi uno, Reefbreeders. I’d prefer not to supplement with T5s, LED strips etc. Thank y’all in advance!

 

[etcee]

I would say you can't really go wrong with radion's or reef breeders. Worth it? I think so. I think ecotech makes great products, but they are a bit pricy.

 

[teethdoctor23]

I would say you can't really go wrong with radion's or reef breeders. Worth it? I think so. I think ecotech makes great products, but they are a bit pricy.

Yeah I agree, I’m not too worried about the price, but do you think 4 XR15s is enough for the 5ft mixed reef?

 

[FoolishWizard]

Yeah I agree, I’m not too worried about the price, but do you think 4 XR15s is enough for the 5ft mixed reef?

You could probably get away with 3 across 5ft... The G6 are spec'd have pretty even PAR over 24" - 30".... Throw one in the center of tank... and the other 2 about 8" off the ends. SHOULD have plenty of coverage.

 

[etcee]

Yeah I agree, I’m not too worried about the price, but do you think 4 XR15s is enough for the 5ft mixed reef?

Looking at your current tank if you plan on truly going mixed and not acro from wall to wall, I think it would be fine. If price isn't a worry, why not just go with xr30's?

 

[teethdoctor23]

You could probably get away with 3 across 5ft... The G6 are spec'd have pretty even PAR over 24" - 30".... Throw one in the center of tank... and the other 2 about 8" off the ends. SHOULD have plenty of coverage.

Do you think I’ll have enough par with the XR15s? I’m looking to have about 350 across the top and around 100-150 on the sandbed l. I’ve got a Walt Disney and homewrecker that like some higher PAR so I’m going to put them pretty much directly underneath the lights lol

 

[teethdoctor23]

Looking at your current tank if you plan on truly going mixed and not acro from wall to wall, I think it would be fine. If price isn't a worry, why not just go with xr30's?

I mean if I don’t HAVE to spend the money, I’d prefer to go with XR15s. It’s also a better idea to go with more XR15s to get a better spread with less shading as well, rather than just 2-3 XR30s in my opinion. Any thoughts?

 

[radfly]

One tank has an XR15 G6 Blue, one has Smatfarm 95w at a third price of XR15. Both at same surface par of 375, both growing acros. Can you tell the difference?

 

[teethdoctor23]

One tank has an XR15 G6 Blue, one has Smatfarm 95w at a third price of XR15. Both at same surface par of 375, both growing acros. Can you tell the difference?

Again, not worried about price lol

 

[FoolishWizard]

Do you think I’ll have enough par with the XR15s? I’m looking to have about 350 across the top and around 100-150 on the sandbed l. I’ve got a Walt Disney and homewrecker that like some higher PAR so I’m going to put them pretty much directly underneath the lights lol

I dont have any first hand experience with the G6s but from what Ive read / seen is that their PAR is very even across their rated spread so I dont think it would be an issue... Or do 1 XR30 in the middle and 2 XR15 on the sides

 

[maroun.c]

Rafions won't disappoint , I have 2 30s on a 5 ft 4 inch frag tank 2 ft wide and 16 inch high as well as 2 15s on 4.6 ft same height and depth and I get good coverage and par.
4 Xr 15s would of course be more light and spread than what I'm running they would give more spread than 2 30s
2x30s might be a bit better ethnically as it's lets clutter above the tank, easier when u want to reach and worm.in the tank as u flip them.90degrees and u inly have 2 lights in the way when working in the tank.... cost wise believe 1 30 is less costly than 2 15s as well as the added cost of 4 rsm.instead of 2.
Still whatever u decide to go with I'm.sure it'll work out .

 

[teethdoctor23]

Rafions won't disappoint , I have 2 30s on a 5 ft 4 inch frag tank 2 ft wide and 16 inch high as well as 2 15s on 4.6 ft same height and depth and I get good coverage and par.
4 Xr 15s would of course be more light and spread than what I'm running they would give more spread than 2 30s
2x30s might be a bit better ethnically as it's lets clutter above the tank, easier when u want to reach and worm.in the tank as u flip them.90degrees and u inly have 2 lights in the way when working in the tank.... cost wise believe 1 30 is less costly than 2 15s as well as the added cost of 4 rsm.instead of 2.
Still whatever u decide to go with I'm.sure it'll work out .

Do you think the 2x XR30s are enough spread for 5 feet? Should I just bite the bullet and go with 3x XR30s? I’m nervous about not getting 300+ par with the 4x XR15s for my acros.

 

[trmiv]

I run 4 xr15 g5 pros on Red Sea reefer 350. At 80% I get around 300 par in the middle of my rockwork. I could probably just do 3 on this tank and be fine so 4 G6 should be ok for your tank

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[teethdoctor23]

I run 4 xr15 g5 pros on Red Sea reefer 350. At 80% I get around 300 par in the middle of my rockwork. I could probably just do 3 on this tank and be fine so 4 G6 should be ok for your tank

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Alright awesome thank you so much. Are you at 100% intensity?

Edit: I see you said 80%! Sorry but I’m glad to see you can get up to 300 PAR at 80%, some of the BrS videos are scaring me saying I won’t be able to get up to 350 PAR with the XR15s, which I’m nervous about tbh. I want to be able to have some acros that love light, like my Walt Disney and Homewrecker.

 

[etcee]

I mean if I don’t HAVE to spend the money, I’d prefer to go with XR15s. It’s also a better idea to go with more XR15s to get a better spread with less shading as well, rather than just 2-3 XR30s in my opinion. Any thoughts?

Fair enough, go with the 4 xr15's then. It will be fine. Now you just need to decide on blue vs pro . The XR30's are 215W instead of 125w so I think you will get more PAR from them then the xr15's. You said mixed reef though, so I assume most your acropora's will be at the top of your rock or middle and as someone posted a photo above with them, you should get sufficient PAR.

 

[Raptor777]

I would go with 2 orphek atlantics

 

[etcee]

I would go with 2 orphek atlantics

I do want to try these lights, maybe next build. They look really nice.

 

[jmoneyyy703]

On a 5’ you will be fine with 2 xr30 g6 pro or blue. You can buy off forums in 7-800 range new or cheaper used. You could also do reefi uno 2.0 pro if you want something more boutique. Some people hyping them as well. Price is really cost effective for what it is.

Another option is hybrid reefbrites xho with 2 xr30 g6s. That would be the best option if money not an issue. There some hype on AI blades, but its still new and hybrid xho and g6s proven to be successful for most major reefers.

 

[leepink23]

Personally I would do 3 reefi unos and use the 120 reflectors. If you want no light spill use 4 with 90 reflectors (May can get by with 3). I have 4 on a 6 foot tank and get 350-450 par middle of the tank and 150-250 sand bed at 50%. The light spill on radions is dramatic compared to reefi.

 

[ClownSchool]

Do you think I’ll have enough par with the XR15s? I’m looking to have about 350 across the top and around 100-150 on the sandbed l. I’ve got a Walt Disney and homewrecker that like some higher PAR so I’m going to put them pretty much directly underneath the lights lol

Par and spread aside, when talking about SPS like WD and Home Wrecker, Radion’s blue spectrum is known for bringing out the best color in your sticks.