Ecotech XR 15 Gen 4

[VolcomStned]

Hey guys.. My end goal is to have a mixed reef which is SPS heavy.. I have a 170 gallon seamless bow front and the dimensions are 62" long 22" wide and 29" tall. Looking for lighting recommendations. As of right now I have 3 XR 15 gen 4 lights and was told that it probably won't be enough for keeping SPS. Do I need to get XR 30's or can I add a couple t5's to what I currently have?? Thanks in advance!

 

[reefeqmover]

Are they the pro version?

 

[VolcomStned]

Are they the pro version?

Yea.. They are pro version. I think all the gen 4 xr15 are pro version though.

 

[Hentz]

All XR15's are the pro versions.

Your tank is 62" long while 29" deep.
I would say MINIMUM you should run 4 XR15's with 4 T5 (2 on each side of the LED's.

However, your best bet for SPS heavy would be 3-5 XR30's with T5's.

 

[VolcomStned]

All XR15's are the pro versions.

Your tank is 62" long while 29" deep.
I would say MINIMUM you should run 4 XR15's with 4 T5 (2 on each side of the LED's.

However, your best bet for SPS heavy would be 3-5 XR30's with T5's.

Do you think I could add 2 XR 30's to what I have now along with t5??

 

[reefwiser]

I would just buy a T5 fixture and call it a day.


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[Hentz]

Do you think I could add 2 XR 30's to what I have now along with t5??

Meaning, having 5 XR15's total + T5?

Sure.

It will definitely work. However, you may have issues once across are grown out and become colonies. That's why I recommended the XR30's so you can place the XR30's vertically on top of the tank, having the pucks over the tank from front to back. This IMO will allow the best light coverage for colony sized acropora. Otherwise they have a chance of being shadowed, eventually killing off parts of the acropora, unless the T5's are low/powerful enough to take care of it

 

[Rakie]

My single XR15 wasn't enough for my biocube. Sahin ran 3 XR30pro's over a 30" tank and didn't like them, too much shadow he said.

IMHO, add 4 T5's and you're set. Otherwise I would say you ideally need an XR30 per 12-16" (Faced front to back) if you really want dense SPS.

I had to add T5 to my Biocube even.

 

[Hentz]

I agree with Rakie. I ran the XR15 over my Fusion 40. While it worked, my bigger colonies had troubles with lighting and the smaller corals underneath had issues with shadowing.

I through on a T5 fixture to supplement and immediately saw better results. A few weeks later I purchased the Ati 6x24 Dimmable and loved it.

However, running my Hydra 26 HD / T5 combo was amazing!

 

[Rakie]

I agree with Rakie. I ran the XR15 over my Fusion 40. While it worked, my bigger colonies had troubles with lighting and the smaller corals underneath had issues with shadowing.

I through on a T5 fixture to supplement and immediately saw better results. A few weeks later I purchased the Ati 6x24 Dimmable and loved it.

However, running my Hydra 26 HD / T5 combo was amazing!

I did the exact same thing.. I added a cheapy AquaticLife 2x24w T5 and saw immediate improvement. Although I didn't get a new Dimmable 6x24, I went with a used non dimmable 6x24

Oh yeah (not trying to derail OP), I went ahead and ordered more coral+, I'll be running a 50/50 split of Blue+/Coral+ in my new fixture for my new build. Sadly I'm selling my Radion right now. Love the thing but the XR15 will only get in the way on my 50g cube unless I add another XR30 minimum..