G5’s for 60” Sps tank?

[Caseyoidae]

Hey R2r,
Planning a new tank and was looking to get some opinions from fellow Sps enthusiasts. I currently have an xr30 g5 blue and am looking to light a 60x24x24. Would I be good picking up a pair of xr15 g5 blues to add to either side. Scape will be pretty typical bomme rock mounds. Few montis toward the bottom and lots of stags and tables in the top half of the tank. Would like decent coverage as I’m coming from ati t5. Also considering the photon 50”? Which rail to buy for multiple radion? The 50” rms with hanging kit? Thanks!

 

[MIKE NY]

I have a 170 which measures 60” x 24” x 27”. I’m running three XR30 G5 blues on a 60” rail with a pair of Orphek blue bars for more pop….I’m using the Ab+ setting at 60%. I don’t think the XR15s will give you coverage or the punch at the deeper depth than the 30s.

 

[Mrtakeoff53]

I went with 3 XR-15 gen 5 blues for my 60” tank. It’s 60”x24”x22” tall. I like an SPS heavy tank. I run my lights at about 85% on a modified AB+ (less white/red/green). All my SPS are doing well so far. I’ve thought about supplemental lighting to get more pop but what I have is working so I leave it alone. I think 2 XR-15s should be enough light. I had the ReefBreeders on my last tank. I like the lights, but the spread is poor compared to the Ecotech lights.

 

[Caseyoidae]

I went with 3 XR-15 gen 5 blues for my 60” tank. It’s 60”x24”x22” tall. I like an SPS heavy tank. I run my lights at about 85% on a modified AB+ (less white/red/green). All my SPS are doing well so far. I’ve thought about supplemental lighting to get more pop but what I have is working so I leave it alone. I think 2 XR-15s should be enough light. I had the ReefBreeders on my last tank. I like the lights, but the spread is poor compared to the Ecotech lights. View attachment 2941366

That looks awesome! I’m trying to avoid adding extra bars or t5 supplements and just keep it simple. I like the idea of one plug on the photon but from the sound of it led bars would be necessary. How is growth with the blues? I’ve only ever grown Sps with t5 and vipar spectra black boxes. You have decent par throughout the tank with the blues? I may just grab 2 more xr 15’s and do what you did.

 

[Mrtakeoff53]

I don’t have any issues with the SPS that are in there now. I haven’t rented a PAR a meter to determine my exact PAR. I’m just going off BRS numbers from their video on the XR-15. If I find I need more PAR, I can always buy another XR-15 Gen 5 at some point. Also, with your 30 already on there, you’ll be set with 2 15’s. I don’t typically shoot for 500+ par for my corals. 300-400 is good with me for where I want my SPS. My numbers will be close enough to these in this chart. Eventually the corals will adapt to the light anyways.

 

[Biddence]

I don’t think par is as big of an issue as coverage would be(especially when colonies grow out)i have 4 on my waterbox 6025 tank and think i could use one more.. par is 300 on top of my rock work and 175-200 on sand with G5s running around 78%…sps grow fine in my tank

 

[blaxsun]

I have a pair of XR30 G5 Blues and a pair of XR15 G5 Blues on my 71" tank, so I think you'll be fine with three XR30/XR15 G5s. I run mine @75% with a modified "radiance" setting.

 

[arafas]

I have 5 on my 72", didnt need the 5th one just added for extra umph. Should be fine with one xr30 in the middle and 2 xr15 on the sides.

 

[Caseyoidae]

Thanks for the replies! I am going to order 2 xr15's. I have a par meter so I can tinker with placement.

 

[Caseyoidae]

I don’t think par is as big of an issue as coverage would be(especially when colonies grow out)i have 4 on my waterbox 6025 tank and think i could use one more.. par is 300 on top of my rock work and 175-200 on sand with G5s running around 78%…sps grow fine in my tankView attachment 2941801

The tank looks great! Is that a piece of uni-strut you mounted the lights to or the rms rail?

 

[Biddence]

The tank looks great! Is that a piece of uni-strut you mounted the lights to or the rms rail?

It is a couple pieces of extruded aluminum with a hole drilled in the rms bracket to hold the light fixture.

 

[Caseyoidae]

For hanging should I go with the 40.5 inch rail?