reefer 200 xl - which light would you use?

[chipchipbro]

hey guys

I started a new red sea reefer 200 xl yesterday. (24"x21"x22.6")
Now, I do have an Orphek Atlantik V4 Gen2 OR a XR15 g5 blue

Which light would you use for SPS?

I know one XR15 might be too less light though..
Maybe sell the Orphek and buy another XR15?

Or sell everthing and go for 2-3 AI Prime 16 HD?

would be cool to have some opinions.

 

[Rick5]

I have the same tank and use a G5 XR30 Blue. All channels are set to 100% with the overall intensity set at 60% based on the PAR measurements shown in a BRS video.

I don’t have the link to the video on hand but you can find it easily. If you’re considering any Radion for that footprint (i.e. XL200), it’s worth watching the video, at least as a starting point. BRS sought to eliminate hotspots while achieving PAR in the 250 to 375-ish range over a 24” cube, if memory serves.

Edit: My guess is a single XR15 is going to result in hotspots and shading long term, but I admittedly have not tried this. It may work temporarily with small frags.

@Charlie’s Frags uses two XR15s over a similarly sized tank. He has the G6s, though.

 

[chipchipbro]

True...
Maybe I sell the Orphek and buy another XR15 OR I just sell both and buy like 3 AI Prime HD (I always liked the light of the AI Primes more than the radion)

 

[Acros]

I used to have a single xr15 blue on an IM25 lagoon (a little smaller than the 200xl). The Radion running at 100% would give 180-210 par all over the tank. I then decided to supplement the main light with two LED bars. Now my tank measures 300-350 par (Radion at 80%). So that is another route to take. I think it is a clean look as well.

You can read more about my mount here:
Post in thread 'IM 25: Third time's a charm'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-25-third-times-a-charm.827797/post-10047140

 

[chipchipbro]

thanks man..
yeah its pretty clean and looks cool.
However, my wife wants something that looks "gucci" you know

something clean which looks like made by a designer. (yeah yeah I know)

She likes the Orphek as the lamp looks pretty you know

 

[kenchilada]

T5

 

[chipchipbro]

T5

might be an option yes.. but always switching the bulbs is kinda meh

 

[Acros]

thanks man..
yeah its pretty clean and looks cool.
However, my wife wants something that looks "gucci" you know

something clean which looks like made by a designer. (yeah yeah I know)

She likes the Orphek as the lamp looks pretty you know

Sounds like the Orphek is your best bet. Or the ATI Straton. 3 AI Primes on a tank that size are not going to look clean/gucci in anyway.

 

[kpoj9]

Radion XR30

 

[chipchipbro]

OK guys..

Right now I am unsure what to do..
I could get 2 AI Prime HD's and work with those for an optimal spread.

Imo the XR15 G5 blue is not enough though..

I could sell the XR15 and the Orphek and buy an XR30 also..

What would be your advice?

 

[kpoj9]

I think you need to figure out what kind of coral you want first.

XR30 is going to give you the best coverage from end to end. I highly recommend for SPS. 2 primes will work as well.

you will definitely have shading if you stick with one XR15. But that might be OK if you plan to have mostly soft/LPS coral.

 

[chipchipbro]

No, the plan is a mixed reef with SPS on the top.
Well, I am still unsure.. I dont want to keep the Orphek I guess as I have to drill holes into my wall.. the mounting arm is garbage and dont fit my reefer 200

 

[chipchipbro]

SOme dude sells an AI Hydra 32 HD which I could get pretty cheap though..

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I would stay away from the current AI’s
My prime 16 hd that was over a 12” cube needed to be maxed out to deliver 250 par…..and 1/3 of the LEDs burned out after 2 years. I’ve never used an orphek but the guys I know that use them get crazy sps growth. If not that get another g5 xr15 blue and go with 2

 

[chipchipbro]

I would stay away from the current AI’s
My prime 16 hd that was over a 12” cube needed to be maxed out to deliver 250 par…..and 1/3 of the LEDs burned out after 2 years. I’ve never used an orphek but the guys I know that use them get crazy sps growth. If not that get another g5 xr15 blue and go with 2

yes I see.. the Orphek is unfortunately only the Atlantik Compact and I really dont know if it has enough PUNCH for the 24" cube.. PLUS I would have to drill holes and use the "ropes"

 

[kpoj9]

In my personal experience, I’ve never had much success growing SPS with AI primes. But there are plenty of people out there who have. I know the XR 30 is expensive but it is worth it. And it’s re-sellable.

 

[MartinM]

I also care very much about aesthetics. I went with the ATI Straton Which is a very svelte looking light, and had a furniture company make a custom stand for it with a single floating arm, because the ceiling above it wouldn’t support the weight for the suspension system).

A 250w HQI pendant was a close second choice, but on this particular system I don’t want to install a chiller and I think that I would need to if I went with halides.

 

[chipchipbro]

OK my problem is...
I would keep the Orphek BUT the mounting arms cannt be connected to my Red Sea Reefer 200 XL as the overflow is right here where the mounting arm should be fixed... Any idea how this would be still possible?

 

[Lavey29]

Buy once cry once. Go with one XR30 or 2 XR15s. Mobius app works well.

 

[Acros]

From what I understand, the only lights that will work for you are:

• XR30
• Neptune Sky
• AI Hydra 64

They all have decent mounting solutions and will not hold you back in case you want to go full blown SPS reef.

It is a rather simple decision here, not sure why you are struggling to make up your mind. Just buy the one that looks the most aesthetically appealing to you. Hopefully this helps.