Hydra 26 or reef breeder photon v2 ?

[Currdawg12]

Which would be better for my 45 gallon, 24x24

 

[ndrwater]

@saltyfilmfolks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Either. Both are close to the same power, the photon may be better as it’s longer and covers more of the tank.

 

[Currdawg12]

Either. Both are close to the same power, the photon may be better as it’s longer and covers more of the tank.

Any other ones around that price range you would recommend?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Any other ones around that price range you would recommend?

SBreeflights are similar. Either the B.B. series or the Ultras.

 

[Currdawg12]

SBreeflights are similar. Either the B.B. series or the Ultras.

I looked at those and I have had a lot of people mention them but everyone scares me when they can them Chinese box lights and they say the app sucks and is hard to use. But maybe I’ll end up getting them! Save a little money and from what I hear I’ll get good light

 

[Porpoise Hork]

The photon will provide more uniform coverage over the tank with it's led array being spread out compared to the Hydra's puck design. If you are leaning to the AI lights, then a pair of Prime HD's spaced out will also do the trick very well.

 

[BranchingHammer]

Have a photon V2 24 on my tank. Plenty powerful and amazing color. Grows corals like crazy.

 

[jda]

They are all made in China. The Photon has US support and sale... so does the Hydra. SD does too, I think, but not 100% for sure. I have no idea about the app - sorry.

Nobody should be comparing any of these to the buy-on-amazon or buy-on-ebay black-box lights that ship from China and you have no way to get ahold of them afterward and they change the names all the time. These can be fine too and some people love them, but are a different type of deal that is nothing like SB, RB or AI.

 

[Currdawg12]

The light is the last thing I’m trying to buy and so far it’s the hardest decision yett

 

[BluTang85]

I have both, I love the reefbreeder, in my opinion the controller is much more user friendly and allows more coverage.

 

[reeflife3]

What about 1 AI prime and a aquatic life T5 setup

 

[Currdawg12]

I looked at the hybrid lights and I think that is good but in the long wrong just one led I think would be cheaper to maintain and hopefully last long! I’m also looking at the sb reef light 22inch ultra

 

[Manose]

What about the Noopsyche K7? A few of us have got them for out tanks and soon will be fully supported in the USA.
Here is their R2R page: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/noopsyche.1066/
Here you can see a good study done on them: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-real-black-box-light-study.503052/
At 247$ I think these are going to give the AI26 a run for it's money.

 

[BluTang85]

I just got the aquaticlife t5 hybrid for the reefbreeder photon v2. I will shoot u pics win I have it all attached and running

 

[Currdawg12]

I just got the aquaticlife t5 hybrid for the reefbreeder photon v2. I will shoot u pics win I have it all attached and running

Yes please do!

 

[BluTang85]

Here’s a quick pic, the back bulbs arnt coming on because brs sent me a bad bulb but atinic and purple + look good so far

 

[Currdawg12]

Well looks like I’m picking the reef breeders photon v2 24 thanks guys!

 

[BluTang85]

Excellent choice, u won’t be disappointed

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Good choice. Let me know if you need any help with setting up a light schedule for it.