How many Radions?

[Gagonzalez]

I am looking at getting a CadLights 165g Artisan tank and was wondering how to budget the lighting. The tank dimensions are 72x24x22 and I was looking at either getting 3-Radion XR30w Pro Gen4's or 4-Radion XR15w Pro Gen4's.

Being that the tank is only 22" deep and I am looking at having a mixed reef with SPS at the mid-high level only and LPS at low-mid level, I thought the XR15w Pro's might provide more even coverage with drop off around the perimeter for LPS and such.

Any suggestions?

PS - Also looking at having 2 main towers in the tank for landscaping with a possible bridge across the 2. Again, plan on having lots of SPS around the top area of the towers and possibly across the bridge but LPS is going around the bottom of the scape and in the sand along with clams.

Thanks for all your help!

[gus6464]

You going to need more like 5 xr30 and like a zillion xr15.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[grigsy]

You are going to want 6 - XR30s for proper, full coverage for that size tank especially if you are going to do SPS.

My suggestion - go 3 x 250 watt Radium with M80 ballasts and T5.

Better SPS growth, amazing color and cost a lot less.

[gus6464]

Lol over $4000 to light that tank with radions when 2-3 Kessil AP700 would let you grow anything everywhere and with much better coverage.

[Mark9]

Ecotech recommends 1 XR30W for 24" x 24" of tank, so doing the math looks like 3.
My 65G would do fine with 2 XR15's.
You may be able to get away with 5.
Some of the answers you got seems to be out to lunch. " and like a zillion xr15."

[LQT]

Ecotech recommends 1 XR30W for 24" x 24" of tank, so doing the math...

Lighting manufacturers often tend to exaggerate their coverage claims. In looking at the puck layout on the XR30 and "doing the math" it's clear that the coverage claims of 24"x24" don't add up. Hence the recommendations for more XR30 fixtures with the pucks of each fixture running front to back for proper coverage and shadow reduction on 72"x24" SPS tank.

[Wazzel]

You would need 3 as a minimum and 5 is probably a realistic expectation. If you plan for expansion you can start with 3 and add the other 2 as the need arise.

[fisher4d]

I have 2 on a 72x18x22 mixed reef. You don't need perfect coverage on every square inch. Keep SPS under them, softies on the sides.

[johnike]

My suggestion - go 3 x 250 watt Radium with M80 ballasts and T5.
Better SPS growth, amazing color and cost a lot less.

:thumbsup:

You would need 3 as a minimum and 5 is probably a realistic expectation. If you plan for expansion you can start with 3 and add the other 2 as the need arise.

Yep, great advice.

[power boat jim]

Three for the LPS is ok but as stated above you will need 5-6 for sps.

[Logzor]

I can't speak from experience but the only LED SPS tanks that look good have exceptional coverage that meet or exceed manufacturer recommendations.

Another option would be a 60" ATI LED Hybrid Powermodule.

[LJLKRL]

My suggestion - go 3 x 250 watt Radium with M80 ballasts and T5.

Better SPS growth, amazing color and cost a lot less.

Not to hijack the thread, but where would you get the type of fixture you describe?
I am in the process of setting up a 6 foot 210 and am also looking at lighting options. Radions are not in the budget.
Would you happen to have a link?

[gus6464]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/spectra-t5-metal-halide-4x80w-72-giesemann.html

[gus6464]

Not to hijack the thread, but where would you get the type of fixture you describe?
I am in the process of setting up a 6 foot 210 and am also looking at lighting options. Radions are not in the budget.
Would you happen to have a link?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/spectra-t5-metal-halide-4x80w-72-giesemann.html

[Potatohead]

You'd be crazy to do anything other than T5 / LED supplement IMO

[slief]

Might I also suggest looking at the GHL Mitra's. They are like Radions on steroids. About the same power consumption but much better spread and par and even better control over the LED channels. Unlike the Radion's, the Mitra's don't get the disco ball effect where you can see the individual color of the LED's on the sand bed. I absolutely love the Radion's but after playing with the Mitra's and seeing some very healthy tanks with them, if I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the Mitra's. They cost the same and offer better spread, intensity and control. 3 Mitra's would light your tank up just fine and their 6 ouch arrangement would go a long way in eliminating shadowing. .

[gus6464]

I digged the new mitras at macna. I just wish they had wifi control on phone or whatever.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Shanet]

I just bought a XR30 pro G4 to go with my 2 G3 XR15 pro on a 60x30x24 tank. This is PLENTY for LPS and I would go out on a limb and say it will support SPS if it was cranked right up.

[power boat jim]

I just bought a XR30 pro G4 to go with my 2 G3 XR15 pro on a 60x30x24 tank. This is PLENTY for LPS and I would go out on a limb and say it will support SPS if it was cranked right up.

its not really a question of intensity. There is more then you will ever need. It comes to coverage, you need more leds over the tank to prevent the shadowing that they cause.

[hart24601]

The G4's with the new lens are recently released, I think it's tough to say how many you will need with any certainty as I have not seen many large tanks with G4s and PAR value and shading issues. My guess would be 3 is probably ok, but maybe 5. I can't imagine you would need more than that. From what I have seen the g4 lens is pretty sweet for giving a larger lighting area w/o hotspots.

Oh I noticed for a mixed reef, I really can't imagine you would need more than 3, I am not sure how well the 15's would cover the 24" deep, but 4-5 15's would be nice. Either way that should be a really nice setup.

[trueperc]

Well here is a good little video that Bulkreef did on the G4. It might help answer some of the question or at least give a good idea. Even they stated though (near the middle of the video ) Even they state though, that if you are going sps, you will want a unit min every 18 to 12 inches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9vLlFAQvxY

[slief]

I digged the new mitras at macna. I just wish they had wifi control on phone or whatever.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

The new Mitra's which are being released later this year do have Wifi control. You can set them up via Wifi, USB or a Profilux.. I have one of the Mitra 6200's over one of my tanks and I was floored by the control, power and spread of that light. Definitely a big improvement over the Radion.

[hart24601]

Wow, the OP is a mixed reef - but dang, every 12 inches if all SPS. I would sure go to something like the orphick or mitra with spread out LEDs in that case...

[Gagonzalez]

Every 12 inches would be ridiculous for a mixed reef. If I was going all SPS I would understand but SPS is only going up high so were talking an area of about 16"x60 that would be the grow-in area for SPS. Depth would also be limited to no deeper that 10-12" below the water level. Everything else would be LPS and softies.

My only concern would be my Crocea and Maxima Clams. Currently they are mounted at about 6-8" below water level in my 28g Nano under an AI Hydra26. I would prefer them in the sand.

Based on a lot of your opinions, I think I may look at the new Mitras instead. Maybe 3 to start and add more if necessary as I get grow in.

Thank You to everyone for your help!

[slief]

Every 12 inches would be ridiculous for a mixed reef. If I was going all SPS I would understand but SPS is only going up high so were talking an area of about 16"x60 that would be the grow-in area for SPS. Depth would also be limited to no deeper that 10-12" below the water level. Everything else would be LPS and softies.

My only concern would be my Crocea and Maxima Clams. Currently they are mounted at about 6-8" below water level in my 28g Nano under an AI Hydra26. I would prefer them in the sand.

Based on a lot of your opinions, I think I may look at the new Mitras instead. Maybe 3 to start and add more if necessary as I get grow in.

Thank You to everyone for your help!

You will love the Mitra's. Their light composer makes choosing a spectrum and setting the light up for it simple. Then it's just a matter of adjusting the intensity. As I said, these lights pack a SERIOUS punch! They are stupidly powerful. As such, be careful with the intensity when you start off. That said, the output of these lights makes it so you can hang them higher than a light like the Radion while not sacrificing PAR or PUR. The end result is better spread. I think you will find that 3 Mitra's will be plenty for any SPS corals you have in mind.