Radion XR15w or XR30w?

ibryson · 10/29/2018, 07:58 PM

I have a 6ft long 180 gallon reef tank that I am setting up. THis is my first reef tank so I am quite new to this. I'm confused on lighting, should I buy 2 XR30w's or 3 XR15w's? The XR30's are clearly the superior light but 2 of them wouldnt quite cover the spread of the tank. I can get 3 XR15's for the same price and it will cover the entire tank. The 3 XR15's makes sense to me, does it make sense to you?

ca1ore · 10/29/2018, 10:50 PM

XR30 is not better, or worse, than the XR15 (assuming both are the pro model). The XR15 is essentially half of the XR30, and is priced at half. In fact, there are good reasons to prefer the 15. More flexible positioning for 4 15s versus 2 30s, and the fans on the 15s only run as needed.

alton · 10/30/2018, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

XR30 is not better, or worse, than the XR15 (assuming both are the pro model). The XR15 is essentially half of the XR30, and is priced at half. In fact, there are good reasons to prefer the 15. More flexible positioning for 4 15s versus 2 30s, and the fans on the 15s only run as needed.

I see more and more reefers using Radions this way for a more even spread.

mlb75 · 10/31/2018, 06:40 AM

depending on what you're trying to keep from my research 3 xr30's is the better choice with one over each 2x2 area for that tank. Unless you're going to have other lighting as well my understanding is it'll be difficult to get enough light with just the 3x15's without a lot of shadows and hot spots.

gcarroll · 10/31/2018, 09:49 AM

If it were me, I'd go with 4 - XR15s. Might be better price than 2 - XR30s. In fact, I'd wait to order them.

mlb75 · 10/31/2018, 09:53 AM

Does your 180 have the traditional two cross members on the top? If so that's where it gets tough to get the right coverage with 2 30's or even 4 15's. That's just from my understanding...

MJNTWise · 10/31/2018, 10:19 AM

I'm going through the same debate....I have the standard 180 with braces 2ft and 2ft. I'm going with radions but dont know what I'm going with....plus the cost of the hanging kit....x15 vs x30... brain is hurting..lol. ooo by the way I have 2 72 inch 50/50 reefbrites to go with the radions...

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ros_sco · 10/31/2018, 09:39 PM

What types of corals are you planning on keeping?

ibryson · 11/01/2018, 10:59 AM

It’s the standard 180. My thoughts were one xr15 over each opening. According to the specs, it should provide enough spread and depth but I’m not sure how accurate that is in reality. I will most likely focus on LPS at first and maybe slowly change over time. So do you think the 3 xr15’s will be sufficient for LPS?

mlb75 · 11/01/2018, 11:30 AM

I think it'll grow LPS just fine but from everything I've heard you'll end up with a lot of shading unless you have something like T5 to supplement and with just the 3x15's you'll end up with hot spots. Bottom like I think it'll work just fine but isn't optimal and you'll likely be looking to change it up sooner than later.

ibryson · 11/01/2018, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlb75

depending on what you're trying to keep from my research 3 xr30's is the better choice with one over each 2x2 area for that tank. Unless you're going to have other lighting as well my understanding is it'll be difficult to get enough light with just the 3x15's without a lot of shadows and hot spots.

That would be ideal, I just dont have the money to spend $2,000 on lighting. I'm hoping 3 xr15's will be good enough to start, then buy bigger lights over time.

ibryson · 11/01/2018, 04:25 PM

What do you all think about this...since my tank has two cross braces it has 3 equal sections at the top. Each are 2 ft wide. I'm thinking I'll start with 3 xr15's, one over each section. Over time, I can either buy 3 addition xr15's so there are two over each opening, or I can replace the xr15's with xr30's. I would think (6) xr15's would be better than (3) xr30's though...

Joe0813 · 11/01/2018, 08:52 PM

I have the same tank... I went with 3 gen4 pro xr30s and it covered the tank nicely. I do wonder if it would be better with 4 xr15s though

Chad_P · 11/01/2018, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibryson

That would be ideal, I just dont have the money to spend $2,000 on lighting. I'm hoping 3 xr15's will be good enough to start, then buy bigger lights over time.

I’m selling 3 XR30s for $700 + shipping. 2 are Gen 2s and 1 is a Gen 3.

I’ve got a 180 and that’s what I’m using.

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rffanat1c · 11/08/2018, 09:57 AM

Three XR15’s will be enough for LPS and softies. They are also half the XR30 pro which is better than the XR30. I had two XR15’s over my 90 which was plenty. I am probably gonna go with three 15’s over my 180. They technically cover 24”x24” so unless you are SPS heavy they will work. Just put SPS under the light directly if you have some.

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emoore · 11/08/2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rffanat1c

Three XR15’s will be enough for LPS and softies. They are also half the XR30 pro which is better than the XR30. I had two XR15’s over my 90 which was plenty. I am probably gonna go with three 15’s over my 180. They technically cover 24”x24” so unless you are SPS heavy they will work. Just put SPS under the light directly if you have some.

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Do you have any SPS under the XR15s? I have the same tank and am debating XR30 or XR15. I have a few SPS but mostly LPS and Softies. They would be replacing 2 250W MH. Thanks.

rffanat1c · 11/08/2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emoore

Do you have any SPS under the XR15s? I have the same tank and am debating XR30 or XR15. I have a few SPS but mostly LPS and Softies. They would be replacing 2 250W MH. Thanks.

I had some under them and they grew fine. My bigger issue is water quality.

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JMetaxas · 11/09/2018, 01:18 PM

I'm setting up a 180 gal, 6' tank.

It will be mixed Reef, but more leaning toward SPS.

I plan on 4 5' T5's and 3 Ecotech Xr30W. They are mounted together on an Aquatic Life bracket.

Personally, I don't think 4 xr15's are enough.

rffanat1c · 11/11/2018, 12:21 PM

Lots of things will work for sure. However, if you really look at the lights, the XR30 has two pucks very close together vs the ability to spread out the XR15's. To each their own.

10/29/2018, 07:58 PM	#1
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	Radion XR15w or XR30w? I have a 6ft long 180 gallon reef tank that I am setting up. THis is my first reef tank so I am quite new to this. I'm confused on lighting, should I buy 2 XR30w's or 3 XR15w's? The XR30's are clearly the superior light but 2 of them wouldnt quite cover the spread of the tank. I can get 3 XR15's for the same price and it will cover the entire tank. The 3 XR15's makes sense to me, does it make sense to you?

10/29/2018, 10:50 PM	#2
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	XR30 is not better, or worse, than the XR15 (assuming both are the pro model). The XR15 is essentially half of the XR30, and is priced at half. In fact, there are good reasons to prefer the 15. More flexible positioning for 4 15s versus 2 30s, and the fans on the 15s only run as needed. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs Last edited by ca1ore; 10/29/2018 at 10:56 PM.

10/31/2018, 06:40 AM	#4
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	depending on what you're trying to keep from my research 3 xr30's is the better choice with one over each 2x2 area for that tank. Unless you're going to have other lighting as well my understanding is it'll be difficult to get enough light with just the 3x15's without a lot of shadows and hot spots. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

10/31/2018, 09:49 AM	#5
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	If it were me, I'd go with 4 - XR15s. Might be better price than 2 - XR30s. In fact, I'd wait to order them. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

10/31/2018, 09:53 AM	#6
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	Does your 180 have the traditional two cross members on the top? If so that's where it gets tough to get the right coverage with 2 30's or even 4 15's. That's just from my understanding... __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

10/31/2018, 10:19 AM	#7
MJNTWise 7 Year Newbie Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Weeki Wachee, Fl. Posts: 1,761 Blog Entries: 1	I'm going through the same debate....I have the standard 180 with braces 2ft and 2ft. I'm going with radions but dont know what I'm going with....plus the cost of the hanging kit....x15 vs x30... brain is hurting..lol. ooo by the way I have 2 72 inch 50/50 reefbrites to go with the radions... Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk __________________ https://www.*********.com/threads/new-dream-tank-300-gallon.674598/ Current Tank Info: 180 gal. 40B gal. sump. 100 lbs live rock, Duel Cor 20 return pump,30"lifereef skimmer,4 MP 40, 4 XR15w Pro 4 with 2 50/50 reefbrites, Apex Control

10/31/2018, 09:39 PM	#8
ros_sco Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Redding, CA Posts: 761	What types of corals are you planning on keeping? __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 210 gallon 72"L x 25"H x 27"W custom 3/4" acrylic reef tank with custom sump, 3 x Radion XR30 Pro with 2 80 watt T5, Aqua C EV180 skimmer, Geo 818 CA reactor, 4 x Vortech mp40 & 2 MP60, Apex controller

11/01/2018, 10:59 AM	#9
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	It’s the standard 180. My thoughts were one xr15 over each opening. According to the specs, it should provide enough spread and depth but I’m not sure how accurate that is in reality. I will most likely focus on LPS at first and maybe slowly change over time. So do you think the 3 xr15’s will be sufficient for LPS?

11/01/2018, 11:30 AM	#10
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	I think it'll grow LPS just fine but from everything I've heard you'll end up with a lot of shading unless you have something like T5 to supplement and with just the 3x15's you'll end up with hot spots. Bottom like I think it'll work just fine but isn't optimal and you'll likely be looking to change it up sooner than later. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/01/2018, 04:25 PM	#12
ibryson Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Missouri Posts: 73	What do you all think about this...since my tank has two cross braces it has 3 equal sections at the top. Each are 2 ft wide. I'm thinking I'll start with 3 xr15's, one over each section. Over time, I can either buy 3 addition xr15's so there are two over each opening, or I can replace the xr15's with xr30's. I would think (6) xr15's would be better than (3) xr30's though...

11/01/2018, 08:52 PM	#13
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	I have the same tank... I went with 3 gen4 pro xr30s and it covered the tank nicely. I do wonder if it would be better with 4 xr15s though __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

11/08/2018, 09:57 AM	#15
rffanat1c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 693	Three XR15’s will be enough for LPS and softies. They are also half the XR30 pro which is better than the XR30. I had two XR15’s over my 90 which was plenty. I am probably gonna go with three 15’s over my 180. They technically cover 24”x24” so unless you are SPS heavy they will work. Just put SPS under the light directly if you have some. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/09/2018, 01:18 PM	#18
JMetaxas Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Old Saybrook, CT Posts: 113	I'm setting up a 180 gal, 6' tank. It will be mixed Reef, but more leaning toward SPS. I plan on 4 5' T5's and 3 Ecotech Xr30W. They are mounted together on an Aquatic Life bracket. Personally, I don't think 4 xr15's are enough.

11/11/2018, 12:21 PM	#19
rffanat1c Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 693	Lots of things will work for sure. However, if you really look at the lights, the XR30 has two pucks very close together vs the ability to spread out the XR15's. To each their own.