Cheaper Lighting For SPS Dominant 40B?

[SilverCityReef]

So I am finally starting the tank cycling process so it's time to start planning out lighting. I picked up a Hydra 26HD off another member with plans to buy another one around this time. Unfortunately, I'm not sure another $350 light & a $100 mount are in by budget right now or if 2 Hydra 26HD's are even the best option. Which brings me to my question...

Are there any cheaper LED lighting options that are reliable, good quality, and capable of supporting an SPS dominant aquarium or should I stick with Hydra's? Are 2 Hydra's even capable of supporting my needs?

Tank: 40B 36x18x17 (until 55g is ready)
Goals:
-SPS Dominant
-150-200 PAR on sandbed (3/4"D)
-Minimal "Disco Ball Effect"
-Fairly Even Light Distribution
-BONUS: Can Be Used On 55g Also

 

[Odysi]

I had a Reefbreeders Photon 24 v1 on my 40B and it grew sps with no issues. As for disco ball effect it wasn't bad but after a while I barely noticed it. Only thing I didn't like was that the 24 left shadows so I would opted for the next size up which I think is 32.

 

[Stickboy15]

don't cheap out on lighting just do the hydras or rations, I would maybe even add some t5s

 

[SinCityRee4r]

photon v2 on my 4’ 120G,love the light and the corals do too

Don’t cheap out on the light in the end you will end up spending more money

 

[jda]

Some of the better black boxes can do as well as a Hydra, IMO. Two of them over a 40B is probably also better coverage with less shadowing.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

OP, my Photon v2 easily hits 120 PAR on the sand bed on a 75g with the light mounted 12" above the water line and only running the blues at 55%, Whites at 25-31% (they peak for 2 hours mid-day, and the red/greens are turned off. It's a very powerful light and they offer a full 2 year warranty on it as well. Also there is decent amount of shimmer with very little spotlighting or disco ball effect.

don't cheap out on lighting just do the hydras or rations, I would maybe even add some t5s

The Photon V2 uses the same types of LEDs that AI uses in their Hydras. Also with the LEDs spaced out on the Photon V2 it provides IMO much better and more uniform coverage than the Hydras with their puck design.

 

[Jacked Reefer]

If you already have a hydra I would just do it. Easily contoable and better coral pop than radions imo. Two would be plenty to grow any coral you want. And buying another would be just as expensive as a tree foot reefbreeders.

 

[Montiman]

My cheap option would be a cheep six bulb t5 it would probably work better than 2 hydras

 

[DesertReefT4r]

30" SB Reef light would work well. Photon V2 would also botn on the cheap. I would want 2x 26s or 1x 56 over a 40B. 1 Hydra 26 will not provide coverage.