XR30 or 2 x XR15

[BST310]

Ahh the age old question … I know this has been answered before but want some opinions. Since I made a couple mistakes lost a ton of coral and have been in reef tank purgatory I figured I’m going to get my lighting straight. My original Kessil plan didn’t pan out so, I am going to be trading one of my Kessils for either a couple XR15s or an XR30. The radions just seem like such a simple path to follow.

My tank is 36” X 14” x 13” deep. I know from a spread stand point two XR15s make more sense but I really like the clean look of a single light.

I plan to keep a mostly mixed reef with a few SPS but nothing fancy just old school stuff. And realistically the top of the rock work where they will be is only 24” across. I think one XR30 would be plenty and offer exactly what I need, if I decide I need more PAR down the road I was thinking I could add a supplemental 24” bar to the mix.

Thoughts on this set-up? I feel like I need to go back to the days when I first started and less was more.

 

[Letsgotothezoo]

2 XR15

 

[Tangwich]

Either 2 xr 15 or 1 xr 30 with aquaticlife t5 hybrid

 

[Smite]

I'd agree you'd be covered for sure with the two xr15s. Specially keeping some sps that may cause shadowing eventually.
If you did have to add something to the xr30 down the road like supp bars or t5 then the 2 xr15's might end up being the cleaner looking option in the long run.

The only perk I see to 1 xr30 over 2 x xr15s is no calibration issues to get the fixtures looking the same.

 

[Tommy Ngo]

Ahh the age old question … I know this has been answered before but want some opinions. Since I made a couple mistakes lost a ton of coral and have been in reef tank purgatory I figured I’m going to get my lighting straight. My original Kessil plan didn’t pan out so, I am going to be trading one of my Kessils for either a couple XR15s or an XR30. The radions just seem like such a simple path to follow.

My tank is 36” X 14” x 13” deep. I know from a spread stand point two XR15s make more sense but I really like the clean look of a single light.

I plan to keep a mostly mixed reef with a few SPS but nothing fancy just old school stuff. And realistically the top of the rock work where they will be is only 24” across. I think one XR30 would be plenty and offer exactly what I need, if I decide I need more PAR down the road I was thinking I could add a supplemental 24” bar to the mix.

Thoughts on this set-up? I feel like I need to go back to the days when I first started and less was more.

It depending on what Gen you are planning to get. I personally had ran 1 xr30 gen 5 with the RMS on my 36x24x20 tank before and it did a good job. The sides were not lit as much. If you were to hang the fixture higher you might be able to get better spread. I ended up going with 2 xr30 just to over kill it. I think 2 xr15 on your tank would be perfect.

 

[Poochaku]

Going to go against the crowd and say 1 xr30 will work fine for your situation. 2 xr 15 will definitely be better if you want to pack in sps edge to edge in the aquarium but the cleaner look and cable management is definitely something to consider.

 

[BST310]

Sounds like two XR15s are the way to go. I kinda figured that would be the verdict.

I’m still a bit on edge cause I feel I’ve had more success under-lighting tanks than “over” or “adequately” lighting them.

 

[Poochaku]

Sounds like two XR15s are the way to go. I kinda figured that would be the verdict.

I’m still a bit on edge cause I feel I’ve had more success under-lighting tanks than “over” or “adequately” lighting them.

You're absolutely only going to waste most of the light and run at a low percentage. I would recommend getting a cheaper light but ball out if you want. I'm definitely guilty as well.

For other overpriced options, have you considered kessils ap9x or ap700? The ap9x has a nice rectangular distribution of light.

 

[BST310]

You're absolutely only going to waste most of the light and run at a low percentage. I would recommend getting a cheaper light but ball out if you want. I'm definitely guilty as well.

For other overpriced options, have you considered kessils ap9x or ap700? The ap9x has a nice rectangular distribution of light.

LOL this is what I am tired of doing running a "bigger" "better" light to find I only run it at 25-30%. No monetary loss here as I am trading someone for my Kessil A500X that I already balled out on.

I really liked the idea of the AP9X and wish I bought that originally but since I am looking to trade not to many people looking to trade kessil for kessil.

 

[The Camaro Show]

I’d say 2 xr15 but I’d highly recommend adding a reef brite add on or a strip.

 

[R33FERnatic]

For your tank I’d go with the 2 XR15. It’s a better option.

 

[drexel]

Sorry I missed your post, but I have a couple 360x’s that I’m probably going to sell in order to buy a 500x for my nano build. Btw, I like multiple single fixtures instead of a single fixture with fixed pucks, etc. It gives you more mounting options, especially with sps.


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[125mph]

2 xr15. 30s will be overkill.

 

[R33FERnatic]

Since your tank depth is 13” and you like the clean look go with the xr30 and hang it a little higher so the sides are not too dark.