Unexpected PAR results with XR15 Gen 6 Blue

[The_Reef_Doctor]

These are my PAR readings using a Radion XR15 G6 Blue, running AB+ at 100% intensity. Tank is a Red Sea Max Nano G2 XL.

Readings taken with ITC Parwise.

I expected much stronger readings, especially closer to the light.

Numbers in green are readings from the substrate.

I presume I’d need to add reefbrites or similar in order to successfully keep Acros and other SPS in the future? Any advice?

Thank you very much .

 

[UtahReefer]

I have 3 XR15 G6 Blue's on a 48" x 24" x 20" and have experienced similar results with the lights 8" above the water. They just don't punch through very well. I added two 48" AI Blades (one grow, one glow) and now have great PAR everywhere in the tank.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I had a similar surprise on my XR30s. I had 2 above a 27x52ish. Par was ehhhh (MQ510). I’ve gone Uber radical on my new build. So far in testing, in addition to increasing fixture count (8 for a 96x36) I switched the lenses out for the high intensity lenses. That woke them up. Then when I turn the T5s and the Halides on, I tend to find myself looking for the sun tan lotion dispenser. Pretty much spot on for me. One end of the spectrum or the other, never dead center… lol

 

[CJWilliams]

I have 3X XR-15 G6 Pro’s and had similar results. I was a bit surprised too. I only plan to keep softies and LPS so no big deal.

 

[Rothric]

Yep, I was very underwhelmed with the PAR of my G6 XR15's.

I sold them for Reefi Uno 2.0's and have been very pleased. I won't be going back to the Radions.

 

[exnisstech]

My sub $200 noopsyche k7s make my xr15s look pathetic and I have gen 4 which are supposed to put out more par than gen 5 and 6 lights. I don't understand why people keep buying these lights when there are so many better options. Kudos to ecotechs marketing dept.

 

[Dburr1014]

These are my PAR readings using a Radion XR15 G6 Blue, running AB+ at 100% intensity. Tank is a Red Sea Max Nano G2 XL.

Readings taken with ITC Parwise.

I expected much stronger readings, especially closer to the light.

Numbers in green are readings from the substrate.

I presume I’d need to add reefbrites or similar in order to successfully keep Acros and other SPS in the future? Any advice?

Thank you very much .

Multiply your results by 1.17 for the ParWise.

 

[jlitz]

These are my PAR readings using a Radion XR15 G6 Blue, running AB+ at 100% intensity. Tank is a Red Sea Max Nano G2 XL.

Readings taken with ITC Parwise.

I expected much stronger readings, especially closer to the light.

Numbers in green are readings from the substrate.

I presume I’d need to add reefbrites or similar in order to successfully keep Acros and other SPS in the future? Any advice?

Thank you very much .

Switching to the high intensity lenses on the xr30s helped raise my par quite a bit. Might try that first before you spend for another light. It’s a quick swap. Just a couple screws. Don’t drop one of the lights in the tank by accident though….

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

Multiply your results by 1.17 for the ParWise.

why? are you saying the ParWise reads lower than actual? So a 100 reading would be 117?

 

[Dburr1014]

why? are you saying the ParWise reads lower than actual? So a 100 reading would be 117?

Telegraham compared it to the cheap Amazon par meter and the mq510.
That was about the average it was low compared to both of those. There's a whole thread on it at humblefish.com

Here's the thread if you care to take a look.

LED - PARwise vs Hopocolor vs Apogee

I like the PARwise. Didn't think I was going to, but it's easy and it shifts the power of light testing, in an affordable way, towards the hobbyists. That's a good thing. With that out of the way, dig this. Under an open-air Gen 5 XR30 Blue, I get 200 umol/m²/s with an SQ-500 (no immersion...

humble.fish

 

[dr_vinnie_boombatz]

Telegraham compared it to the cheap Amazon par meter and the mq510.
That was about the average it was low compared to both of those. There's a whole thread on it at humblefish.com

Here's the thread if you care to take a look.

LED - PARwise vs Hopocolor vs Apogee

I like the PARwise. Didn't think I was going to, but it's easy and it shifts the power of light testing, in an affordable way, towards the hobbyists. That's a good thing. With that out of the way, dig this. Under an open-air Gen 5 XR30 Blue, I get 200 umol/m²/s with an SQ-500 (no immersion...

humble.fish

how do you know its not just his own particular ParWise unit that reads lower?

 

[hanas]

I’m surprised to see your numbers so low. Are all your channels at 100%? I have 3 - XR15 Gen6 Blues running at 80% over my 48L x 28W x 24H and get 200 par on the sand bed, 480 a couple inches under the water and then around 200-300 near my rocks where my SPS are. It does taper off on the sides (100-150 about 6” from the side glass) but front to back despite the width the coverage is even. I was extremely skeptical but am overly happy with how the spread has been. The PAR was measured using and Apogee 200

 

[Dburr1014]

how do you know its not just his own particular ParWise unit that reads lower?

I understand your question but, most* manufacturers have tolerances on their products they have to meet.

How would I know the mq510 is correct? Or the lights he actually tested?

It's pretty safe to say they are all close enough. I trust his findings.

 

[Lavey29]

Yep XR15 lights are weak

 

[danlechem]

I've got xr15 on 2ftx2ft. Look at adding an orphek led bar to it. Under $100 and made a hige difference to mine.

 

[Jaybeastin]

i just got a par meter for my XR15 G5 Pros and I’m getting similar results. SMH I’m highly disappointed and I’ve lost so many corals thinking my lights might be too strong. I definitely lose color because of the low pars

 

[Bob Weigant]

Ive had XR15's in the past and once i added the reef brites it made a huge difference. My acro's did much better

 

[Jaybeastin]

Ive had XR15's in the past and once i added the reef brites it made a huge difference. My acro's did much better

Didn’t think a $500 light needed additional lighting at the time I bought it . I’m going to looking into that now or similar

 

[spsick]

Does AB+ have the white, red, and green at very low intensity on these lights?

 

[hanas]

AB+ on the Blue is 100% on all channels