Xr-15’s not cutting it!

[Mastiffking]

Hey everyone. Looking for some advice/guidance. I currently have 2 Ecotech XR-15 Pro lights on my reef. The tank is 48”x 36” x 24”! I have the output power set at 90% using the AB+ lighting scheme. The lights are about 12” off the water. I finally got a par meter and took readings today. I was hoping to see 100 - 150 on the sand. Instead I was shocked to only see a reading of 32 par. All of my LPS are doing well, but I have lost a few SPS frags. Even at the top of the reef I am only reading 150 par. Going to re-check tomorrow but am planning to get new lights.

Please offer up light suggestions or what changes I can make to see if the XR-15’s can do better.

 

[Jekyl]

Adding light bars or t5 might be your best bet

 

[rtparty]

2 15s are not going to cover that large of an area. You need 4 at a minimum.

Adding a couple AI Blades may do what you’re looking for

 

[Chris L]

That is a fairly large tank for those two lights as rt said. What type of coral are you trying to keep? I would say if you are looking at a mixed reef at least two more XR15 at a minimum however if you want SPS dominate you will need to look at pushing more watts like the XR30 or another platform. I've heard good things about the Reefi but no experience. It looks like you have a mixed reef at the moment.

 

[VintageReefer]

Honestly your best bet is to sell them and buy something else. How much money spent to get 32 par on the sand and have to buy other stuff to rig up and also run

Get a 48” photon v2 with the money and grow whatever you want anywhere in the tank

 

[Solo McReefer]

I would put 6 XR15s on that tank

You have no coverage otherwise

 

[Northern Flicker]

Honestly your best bet is to sell them and buy something else. How much money spent to get 32 par on the sand and have to buy other stuff to rig up and also run

Get a 48” photon v2 with the money and grow whatever you want anywhere in the tank

I agree with this, or possibly T5.

 

[Mastiffking]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am trying to do a mixed reef, but LPS dominate. Look for the XR-15 to be on sale shortly!

 

[Pntbll687]

If you're willing to bite the bullet on a new light. You could get a single light as long as you can mount it high enough.

Selectable power 150/200/240 watts. It's cheaper than a single xr15

Atlas

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www.quanta-lights.com

 

[dakoop]

I would add t5 or start over. I have 3 xr15 sitting idle for the same reason

 

[Tamberav]

Hey everyone. Looking for some advice/guidance. I currently have 2 Ecotech XR-15 Pro lights on my reef. The tank is 48”x 36” x 24”! I have the output power set at 90% using the AB+ lighting scheme. The lights are about 12” off the water. I finally got a par meter and took readings today. I was hoping to see 100 - 150 on the sand. Instead I was shocked to only see a reading of 32 par. All of my LPS are doing well, but I have lost a few SPS frags. Even at the top of the reef I am only reading 150 par. Going to re-check tomorrow but am planning to get new lights.

Please offer up light suggestions or what changes I can make to see if the XR-15’s can do better.

Reefi uno pro lights 2.1

Otherwise a 6 bulb T5 would grow anything as well

 

[twentyleagues]

Couple Reefi 2.1 with the 120 reflector thats included would cover it very well. Sameish price point as the xr15s but with more power, better coverage and imo better spectrum than the xr30.

 

[VintageReefer]

Reefi is great choice
Photons are great choice also

I don’t have reefi pics but since I have a photon over a mixed reef…

 

[exnisstech]

Xr15s are over priced and underpowered IMO. I have 3 gen4 xr15 which are supposed to be stronger than gen 5 and gen 6 and they are still weak compared to my noopsyche K7 pro IIIs and photons. The radions are now sitting on a shelf. I bought into the ecotech hype and marketing when I was new to the hobby.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I agree that you will need more than just 2 x XR15s BUT you should also double check your app - when you go to adjust the power which you say is at 90% - is the SCHEDULE at 100%? The default is 50% - which means you are only pushing 45%. I made this error and went a long time with much less par with my 2 x XR30s.

 

[twentyleagues]

My tank with reefi uno pro 2.0 120 reflector.

This is earlier in the day. If you check my build thread you can see a midday video also.

 

[Lavey29]

I agree with the above posts. XR15 lights are weak par. I run mine at 100% intensity on AB plus setting over 36x22x22 tank. It's SPS dominant mixed reef and barely enough par for basic acros. I get 350 par at the top. 175 to 250 mud tank and 75 to 125 at the bottom.

 

[tautog83]

look into a 3 pack quanta helix light bars

 

[VintageReefer]

I agree with the above posts. XR15 lights are weak par. I run mine at 100% intensity on AB plus setting over 36x22x22 tank. It's SPS dominant mixed reef and barely enough par for basic acros. I get 350 par at the top. 175 to 250 mud tank and 75 to 125 at the bottom.

Those are decent and workable numbers but I hear ya…fixtures are maxed to get them and no room to bump up

My photon hits 700 + par at the top if I have all channels maxed

 

[VintageReefer]

Xr15s are over priced and underpowered IMO. I have 3 gen4 xr15 which are supposed to be stronger than gen 5 and gen 6 and they are still weak compared to my noopsyche K7 pro IIIs and photons. The radions are now sitting on a shelf. I bought into the ecotech hype and marketing when I was new to the hobby.

I’d buy one for my nano. Prob be good for a 15g. Maybe overkill for the footprint though