36x24x24 lighting choice opinions

[adtravels]

I currently run 3x radion xr15's (2 g3 and 1 G4) on my tank. Colour has been great with the corals but shadowing is now an issue. To get the desired effect with radions I would have to get 3x XR30's ( not happening).
I live in a hot country so heat management is important. I don't really want it any hotter than with the 3 xr15's. I keep mostly sps and a magnifica anemone, I would like to be able to grow sps in the lower half of the tank. The top 6 inches is clear for swimming.

I would like to go with one of the following options..

1. Replace the radions with an ati hybrid pm 4x39 watt 2x75watt led
2. Replace the middle radion with an ati hybrid 4x24 watt 1x75 watt and keep two radions at either end.
3. Replace the radions with a 6x39 watt standard power module.

Thanks for any solid advice.

 

[jda]

I would go with a 6 or 8 bulb Power Module. You can sell your 15s to more than fund this and it is a better light, IMO.

If you are going to miss the stuff that you can do on the computer, like thunderstorms and all of that other stuff that the coral does not care about, then I guess that #1, but it is more watts for an inferior light (the 2x74W is inferior, IMO, to 2x39W T5).

#2 would concern me that it would only cover the area in the center without shadows.

 

[solitude127]

Would adding a 4th XR15 be an option?

 

[adtravels]

Would adding a 4th XR15 be an option?

Yes, this would give me 2 g4 and 2 g3.

I am concerned that the hybrid pm will run too hot.

I could also get a new ghl mitras 7206 in the middle with 2 radions either side.

The thing I like about the 15's is that the have one fan per puck and so switch off when not needed.

One more 15 wold also be the cheapest upgrade but the shadowing is a concern.

 

[solitude127]

any pics of the tank by chance? I would like to see what areas you're having shadowing issues with.

 

[RCS82]

t5 retro fit,
2 t5 bulbs across the back, then your 3 radions down the middle and 2 t5s across the front

 

[abhishek@1985]

If you can put 2 radiums on m80 ballasts, you can grow acros anywhere in the tank .
Sad but hardly people consider them nowadays when you can get them for fraction of a cost of what they are worth of.

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[adtravels]

If you can put 2 radiums on m80 ballasts, you can grow acros anywhere in the tank .
Sad but hardly people consider them nowadays when you can get them for fraction of a cost of what they are worth of.

Regards,
Abhishek

Great lights but too hot and power hungry, also not available where I am.

I thought about the t5 retrofit but it would be messy and bump the heat and power significantly.

I don't have any up to date shots of my tank ATM. There are some on my albums here though.

 

[FullBoreReefer]

I have the same tank with a mixed reef. I run 2 of the original hydras. But, I have thought about switching to a 6 or 8 bulb ATI fixture. I hate to fork out the money when I know my setup works, but I also know I can get way better coverage and bulbs that are proven

 

[adtravels]

I am concerned about how hot the ATI hybrid will run after doing the research. I may possibly get a radion xr30 or a mitras to put in the centre.

 

[Wazzel]

I currently run 3x radion xr15's (2 g3 and 1 G4) on my tank. Colour has been great with the corals but shadowing is now an issue. To get the desired effect with radions I would have to get 3x XR30's ( not happening).
I live in a hot country so heat management is important. I don't really want it any hotter than with the 3 xr15's. I keep mostly sps and a magnifica anemone, I would like to be able to grow sps in the lower half of the tank. The top 6 inches is clear for swimming.

I would like to go with one of the following options..

1. Replace the radions with an ati hybrid pm 4x39 watt 2x75watt led
2. Replace the middle radion with an ati hybrid 4x24 watt 1x75 watt and keep two radions at either end.
3. Replace the radions with a 6x39 watt standard power module.

Thanks for any solid advice.

How high over the water do you have them? To get good spread on the cluster puck LED units you need to be at least 12" above the water, from what I have seen.

You could add a single T-5 front and back to help out. Might look rigged if you do not have a canopy.

 

[adtravels]

How high over the water do you have them? To get good spread on the cluster puck LED units you need to be at least 12" above the water, from what I have seen.

You could add a single T-5 front and back to help out. Might look rigged if you do not have a canopy.

Thanks wazzel

I have consider the retrofit t5 and it would look a mess really as I have a pelmet on the tank but it is open.

For now I think I will go for an led combo of a ghl mitras lx7 with a radion xr15 on each side, this with a view to going for another mitras somewhere down the line.
It would have been easy for me to get an xr30 but I having read the mitras thread I think they will give a more even spread than the radions.

 

[MK3_LUV]

What about selling all the radions and buying a pair of Hydra 52 HDs?

 

[adtravels]

I have actually cancelled the mitras order and decided to sell the radions. I just ordered an ATI hybrid powermodule 4x39watt t5 and 2x75 watt LEDs. It's the new white version direct from Germany.

 

[bwhit1406]

Going with the same size tank, moving over a hybrid setup that I really like. 250w phoenix 14k halide. 2 kessil 360w tuna blues ( turned down low) 2 ATI Blue Plus T5's

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