RB or AI?

[Waffen06]

Im going to purchase new lights for my reefer 250 this morning. Was set on two hydra 26s but now Im torn between them and a Reef Breeders 24 v2+ Tank will mostly be LPS and softies but want the ability to add SPS later on, can you all help me decide?

Hydra 26 HD
Pros: familiar with set up as I have a prime on another tank, very customizable lighting schedule, uses app on my phone, high quality, nice mount set up that goes with my tank/screen too
Cons: will cost about $150+ more, no warranty, could still have some shadowing

Reef Breeders 24 v2+
Pros: great light spread over entire tank, plenty of power for any coral, cheaper, full 2 year warranty
Cons: ugly leg mount system (dont plan on hanging it), harder to use remote programming (supposed to be coming out with an app soon) and not as precise.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Go for the Protons V2+.

You hardly ever use the remote to change the schedule once you get it set. The legs are better than hanging. But I had 2 aluminum mounts made that I can hang off the back of the tank or attach to the wall. I'm in the process of installing them now. I even have a spare pair.

If you want to see more, let me know.

 

[Waffen06]

Go for the Protons V2+.

You hardly ever use the remote to change the schedule once you get it set. The legs are better than hanging. But I had 2 aluminum mounts made that I can hang off the back of the tank or attach to the wall. I'm in the process of installing them now. I even have a spare pair.

If you want to see more, let me know.

Yeah would love to see your setup

 

[Ron Reefman]

Yeah would love to see your setup

I'll take some pics and post them here.

 

[Ron Reefman]

So on my DT I have 2 Photon V2+ fixtures. That's because the tank is 30" front to back and I wanted better coverage. Currently they are still supported by the legs. But I have attached the 2 aluminum mounts as you can see in this shot from above. The screws are long enough to go through the aluminum bracket and into the upper end of the leg.

I intend to mount them to the wall, but I have to drill holes big enough for spreaders to go through. I intended to hang them off the back of the tank using Current USA mounts, but I don't have enough room to fit them between the tank and the wall! The thumb screws that hold the Photon legs in place can go through the aluminum bracket. I intend to cut the last mounting hole off the top of the legs and use as the 'nuts' that the screws will go into.

I had to have a 2nd set of mounts made because I forgot that I was adding the 2nd fixture and I had the mounts made so the single fixture was over the middle of the tank. But that put the 2nd fixture too far back. So I had bigger (longer) brackets made. These are 18" from the back and the ones I'm using are 25" from the back! This is the set I'm not using.

I bought these mounting brackets from Current USA. It's the mount they use with their light bracket. They will fit over 1" glass or plastic rims. The short screws go through the bracket and the long screws hold the bracket to the glass. The mount and screws are all plastic.

 

[Waffen06]

Ordered a 24 reef breeders, should be here friday

 

[Rusticman]

Go for the Protons V2+.

You hardly ever use the remote to change the schedule once you get it set. The legs are better than hanging. But I had 2 aluminum mounts made that I can hang off the back of the tank or attach to the wall. I'm in the process of installing them now. I even have a spare pair.

If you want to see more, let me know.

I will take the bracket and spare pair if you still have them. LMK

 

[Ron Reefman]

I will take the bracket and spare pair if you still have them. LMK

I sent you a PM this morning.