Hydra 32HD or Reefbreeders Photon V2+ 16?????

[Retired Reefer]

Im setting up a 24x18x18 reef octo t60 tank. Will keep a mixed reef in this little guy. BRS recommended the Hydras but my gut is telling me the Photon. PLease help!! Also, would the Photon V2+ 24 be too much light?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[reef lover]

Hydra....;Woot

 

[ecamden]

I would consider the V2. They can produce a lot of light with a better spread. I have the hydra and use t5 to get enough par

 

[Retired Reefer]

Yea, I ended going with the V2+. Came in today and just installed them.

 

[RCS82]

Yea, I ended going with the V2+. Came in today and just installed them.

Let us know what you think of it.

 

[Retired Reefer]

Let us know what you think of it.

Will do. I can tell you that the programming was super easy with the remote. Customer service is also top notch at Reef Breeders. They answer all my questions, sent me spreadsheets of lighting cycles by channel by hour in terms of intensity and color. That’s why I bought their ATO and Wavemaker as well. Great products so far. Onlay had water for 24 hours but once I’m cycled and running I’ll rent a par meter and test

 

[ELL23]

Following a long. Do you mind sharing the lighting schedule and cycles?

Any feedback on the par?

 

[Retired Reefer]

This is my lighting schedule. The Photon is a par machine. I added a Reefbreeders lumen bar to mine as well. At the settings below I’m hitting 350-400 par on the top of the rocks, 250-350 mid level and 150-250 on the sand bed.

 

[Retired Reefer]

Actually that’s an old schedule..I changed the 70% to 65% and lowered the white channel to 25%

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

How far off the tank are you mounted? Looks pretty high up.

 

[Retired Reefer]

That’s an old pic but it’s still high. I changed to the back of tank mount they sell instead of the legs it comes with. It’s 10.5” above the water

 

[Retired Reefer]

I’ll measure tomorrow but believe it’s 10.5

 

[ELL23]

I’ll measure tomorrow but believe it’s 10.5

What mount are you using?

 

[ELL23]

Yea, I ended going with the V2+. Came in today and just installed them.

Does the fixture fit well within your 24”?
What is your acclimation schedule?

 

[Retired Reefer]

What mount are you using?

The mount they sell on the Reefbreeders site. It comes with hanging brackets and legs but they sell a rear mount and I bought that.

Does the fixture fit well within your 24”?
What is your acclimation schedule?

It does well with spread. I added a Lumenbar Led Strip they sell to the back to increase par on my back wall to add montis to the glass. I can grow sps on the sand bed with this light

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I’ll measure tomorrow but believe it’s 10.5

Tank looks great, thanks for sharing

 

[Retired Reefer]

Just measured again and it’s 10.5. Here it is with the lumenbar attached

 

[lancesmith1]

Which Lumenbar layout did you get?