2 XR15’s + 2 AI Blades or 2 XR30’s? Pics of your setup?

[jayteerq]

Hey guys! I have a 4’ tank and am currently running 2 AI Primes at 100%. I want to upgrade my lights but am having trouble deciding.

I’m debating between getting 2 XR15 blues with 1 AI Blade Grow in the back and then 1 AI Blade Glow in the front. Or just keep it clean and simple and go with 2 XR30’s.

What do you guys think? Does anyone have either setup that can share some pics? The aesthetic is an important factor for me. Any recommendations is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Thunderstruck34]

I just have 2 G6 XR15 Pros. Are you planning on a SPS dominant tank?

 

[apb03]

I have a 48" and run two xr30 and two AI blade glows. I do run mostly sps though.

I think you will be ok with the xr15 setup for LPS.

 

[jayteerq]

I just have 2 G6 XR15 Pros. Are you planning on a SPS dominant tank?

I like the hoods you have! And I would love to eventually dabble into SPS but I’d say I’d only go as far as half sps half lps

 

[GARRIGA]

I like the hoods you have! And I would love to eventually dabble into SPS but I’d say I’d only go as far as half sps half lps

I'm no SPS expert but don't think there's such a thing as half SPS with lighting. If I were to have any SPS then I'd light for SPS. Why I'd go XR30 per 24x24 surface space although the blades are intriguing and might just line several as if old school VHO. What I have no plans of doing is mixing both up. The XR platform does bring less cords and better adjust-ability including swapping boards if Blue no longer preferred along with changing the lens angle if the G6 better spread lacking the punch needed at depth. Overall, I'm one that prefers the option to amend my equipment vs swapping entire systems because my views or wants changed.

 

[jayteerq]

I have a 48" and run two xr30 and two AI blade glows. I do run mostly sps though.

I think you will be ok with the xr15 setup for LPS.

That’s my dream set up! Maybe overkill for LPS but I just love how it looks. Could you share a pic with me on how yours looks?

 

[jayteerq]

I'm no SPS expert but don't think there's such a thing as half SPS with lighting. If I were to have any SPS then I'd light for SPS. Why I'd go XR30 per 24x24 surface space although the blades are intriguing and might just line several as if old school VHO. What I have no plans of doing is mixing both up. The XR platform does bring less cords and better adjust-ability including swapping boards if Blue no longer preferred along with changing the lens angle if the G6 better spread lacking the punch needed at depth. Overall, I'm one that prefers the option to amend my equipment vs swapping entire systems because my views or wants changed.

Wow, that’s neat. I didn’t know you can change the lens and boards on the radions. When I said half-and-half, I really meant middle point to top would be SPS and middle point to bottom would be LPS.

 

[GARRIGA]

Wow, that’s neat. I didn’t know you can change the lens and boards on the radions. When I said half-and-half, I really meant middle point to top would be SPS and middle point to bottom would be LPS.

I got what you were saying and my point being once any SPS added seems best just buy lights suited for that. That's going to be my approach. Assuming I finally confirm I've figured out how to fix my pH.

Need to scroll down but you'll see their narrow beam lens adapter for the G6 as well as swapping boards between Pro and Blue. This also means you could buy G5s used cheap and upgrade to G6 of a different spectrum or if wanting more spread. Depending how cheap they are found because board swaps are costly and quite frankly, might be best just finding used G5 Blues as they already have the narrower lens and many get into this hobby to later fail and dump their equipment for pennies on the dollar. New is nice but not necessary and LED last longer than most in the hobby.

Consider used G4 as I had. Seen those next to G5 and both Blues and the G4 just seemed nicer and employee told me many preferred the G4. Ended up with G6 just because I wanted better spread to better mimic T5 or those VHO from back in my day. Also wanted Pro to better mimic metal-halides but now leaning Blue and main likely all Blues.

Radion G6 - EcoTech Marine

RADION G4 LED LIGHTING - The best aquarium LED light in the world just got better.

ecotechmarine.com

 

[rtparty]

I’d go with 2 XR30s for the ease and cleanliness of the setup. I ran 15s with a single Blade but it was a lot of cords and clutter

 

[Doctor Derp]

For the amount of money you're gonna spend for that gear... I'd grab 4 reefi uno. 2.0. you'll spend half what you would on xr30 per light and have far more photons to work with.

 

[apb03]

That’s my dream set up! Maybe overkill for LPS but I just love how it looks. Could you share a pic with me on how yours looks?

Hard to see in this photo as I have shades on but here you go.

 

[jayteerq]

I’d go with 2 XR30s for the ease and cleanliness of the setup. I ran 15s with a single Blade but it was a lot of cords and clutter

Super clean though! For 7+ cords hanging, you’ve seemed to manage it pretty well! I love the setup

 

[jayteerq]

Hard to see in this photo as I have shades on but here you go.

Nice! Love those 80/20 mounts!

 

[beatboyrx1]

I just have 2 G6 XR15 Pros. Are you planning on a SPS dominant are

I have a 48" and run two xr30 and two AI blade glows. I do run mostly sps though.

I think you will be ok with the xr15 setup for LPS.

Hard to see in this photo as I have shades on but here you go.

These xr30 are pro or glow?

 

[apb03]

These xr30 are pro or glow?

They are pros, and the blades are glows.

 

[darrick001]

I would do 2 XR30 and add 4 blades down the road when shadowing becomes an issue. You can always turn your lights down. The blades pushed all the way to the outside angled slightly. It would help keep the lower growth alive and reduce the chances of die off from shadowing. This is assuming money is no object. That is my plan.

 

[baktabiznis]

They are pros, and the blades are glows.

How is the color pop? I have a 48" tank and 2 xr15 pro's. I'm thinking about just adding a grow blade or upgrading to gen 6 blue's and adding a glow? what do you think. It will be a mixed reef but heavily SPS towards the top.

 

[apb03]

How is the color pop? I have a 48" tank and 2 xr15 pro's. I'm thinking about just adding a grow blade or upgrading to gen 6 blue's and adding a glow? what do you think. It will be a mixed reef but heavily SPS towards the top.

I think that's a good idea. I like the pop of colour I get from the Glows. I bought them instead of the Grows because I felt I got plenty of white light from the Radion Pros. I never really liked the colour I got from the Pros, so that's why I chose the glows, and it definitely helped a ton.

Comes down to personal preference, though.