Which set up would you guys pick

[Bolt_Action]

I have a Radion xr30 G3 and I getting a 5ft by 2ft by 2ft. Would it be better to get two xr15 and put the xr30 in the middle and have the xr15 on the end pick ? My other opinion is 2 xr30 and a t5 hybrid fixture? But is that worth the extra money

 

[ndrwater]

If those were the only 2 options, I would out the 30 in the middle and add two 15's on either side.
If it were me, I would add two more 30's on either side.
A T5 addition can be added at any time. I run nothing but 39's on my SPS system and grow corals like crazy.

 

[Captain Quint]

An Xr30 will do pretty good at ~36 inches, but most applications are based on 24-inch increments for coverage.

You listed a couple of options that would do well IMHO.

I do like the combo you mention of 2 xr30's and a t5 hybrid though. JMHO...but I also agree with @ndrwater so...

 

[Bolt_Action]

If those were the only 2 options, I would out the 30 in the middle and add two 15's on either side.
If it were me, I would add two more 30's on either side.
A T5 addition can be added at any time. I run nothing but 39's on my SPS system and grow corals like crazy.

Do you have any pictures of your set up ?

 

[Bolt_Action]

An Xr30 will do pretty good at ~36 inches, but most applications are based on 24-inch increments for coverage.

You listed a couple of options that would do well IMHO.

I do like the combo you mention of 2 xr30's and a t5 hybrid though. JMHO.

I just like the full coverage of the t5 and I could always add them on later down the line too

 

[Captain Quint]

I just like the full coverage of the t5 and I could always add them on later down the line too

Yes...I had to edit after considering a bit more.

The downside of the T5 is bulb replacement cost to me.

 

[ndrwater]

My tank is an 8' 240 gallon tank

 

[Bolt_Action]

Yes...I had to edit after considering a bit more.

The downside of the T5 is bulb replacement cost to me.

The replacement bulbs are a huge downside being it’s a 100 plus dollars every time

 

[Bolt_Action]

My tank is an 8' 240 gallon tank

That’s a nice setup !!

 

[Captain Quint]

The replacement bulbs are a huge downside being it’s a 100 plus dollars every time

Yes sir...exactly.

 

[ndrwater]

That’s a nice setup !!

Grows corals pretty well

 

[Bolt_Action]

Grows corals pretty well

Wow!!! So nice how else are you running your tank ?

 

[ndrwater]

Protein skimmer, Calcium Reactor, a TON of flow.. pretty much it......

 

[Bolt_Action]

Protein skimmer, Calcium Reactor, a TON of flow.. pretty much it......

Have you alway use ca reactor or did you switch from 2 part ?

 

[tankstudy]

The replacement bulbs are a huge downside being it’s a 100 plus dollars every time

I'd do two XR30's combined with T5's.

You get a large spectrum coverage. Not to mention, massive reduction in shadowing. You can also increase T5 bulb life by just running them a lot less. The Radion's themselves can grow a lot of things. I run my T5's for just 4-6 hours while the radions sit on for 10-12 hours.

 

[Bolt_Action]

I'd do two XR30's combined with T5's.

You get a large spectrum coverage. Not to mention, massive reduction in shadowing. You can also increase T5 bulb life by just running them a lot less. The Radion's themselves can grow a lot of things. I run my T5's for just 4-6 hours while the radions sit on for 10-12 hours.

I would probably only run them for 4 hours when I’m home haha just so I can see the amazing color they give

 

[ndrwater]

Have you alway use ca reactor or did you switch from 2 part ?

I switched to a reactor when dosing 2 part got out of hand.. there was a point I was dosing over 400ml per day of each.. in a new system, I would say dosing is just fine. A reactor is fine as well, but likely overkill. My corals/tank had gotten to the point where it just wasn't financially reasonable to keep going with the dosing. The initial outlay for the reactor was more, but... In the almost 2 years since switching, I haven't spent a penny.

 

[Bolt_Action]

M

I switched to a reactor when dosing 2 part got out of hand.. there was a point I was dosing over 400ml per day of each.. in a new system, I would say dosing is just fine. A reactor is fine as well, but likely overkill. My corals/tank had gotten to the point where it just wasn't financially reasonable to keep going with the dosing. The initial outlay for the reactor was more, but... In the almost 2 years since switching, I haven't spent a penny.

Maybe one day I’ll need a ca reactor hahah

 

[T-5unsystem]

The replacement bulbs are a huge downside being it’s a 100 plus dollars every time

You can easily make this up by reducing the time the T5s run and selling the corals you grow due to the big boost in growth you will see.

 

[Bolt_Action]

You can easily make this up by reducing the time the T5s run and selling the corals you grow due to the big boost in growth you will see.

You’re too persuading hahaha