SB Reef Light or (two) Hydra 26?

679x · Apr 27, 2017

I've been making a bunch of threads on this forum even though I'm not getting my first saltwater tank for a few months probably, and I've gotten lots of help! So I thought I'd make another regarding my lighting.

Although my family is accepting the current cost of $3000 (that's $4000 Canadian... I'm in Canada so I work in that) we know that it's pretty expensive. So I'm on the hunt for a setup that is cheaper for the best quality tank and equipment. I love the Red Sea tanks and whenever I veer away from them for a bit, I come right back to them eventually. So I think I might stick with that plan.

I'm currently trying to decide between the Red Sea Reefer 250 and the Red Sea Max E260. Note: I looked around for other tanks, but in the end it's not much cheaper, and would involve more hassle and things like building a DIY sump, which I'd be afraid to do because of noise, but most of all, the potential for leaks.

I made a setup plan with prices, and my Reefer 250 plan comes out like $1000 (Canadian currency) more than the Max e260. So I took out one of the MP40QD pumps from my plan to help reduce the price, and see whether I will need it once the tank is actually running.

Still more expensive than the Max e260, so then I looked at the controller, which I don't think I'll need immediately. I think once everyone's away from the house for a longer period of time, e.g. vacation, I'll get it so that I can make sure everything is how it should be while we're gone. But by taking that off the list that also decreases the price of the Max E260, which helps if I went that direction instead, too.

Finally I've arrived at lighting. I know I want LED, which is why I'm posting it in the LED lighting forum.

Note that I want hard corals only in this system. Probably an even mix between SPS and LPS.

Now, if I went with the Reefer 250, I was going to get two Hydra 26 lights, which adds like $1000 CDN to my total. Which is a lot. Now I'm looking at the SB reef lights (specifically the sBox elite 30" ramping), which someone recommended to me, but I can't remember who

I read lots of good reviews about them but I don't know whether they are better than Hydra 26, about the same, or worse when it comes to growing hard coral and providing good colour on them. The SB reef light could save me $500-$600 as opposed to getting two Hydra 26s.

So what should I do? sBox elite 30" ramping light, or two Hydra 26s? I know price-wise it's cheaper with the sb light, but when it comes to coral, I want the best light, considering I'll be getting SPS and some LPS, but as I said before I don't know which of these two lights is better.

Thanks in advance.

679x · Apr 27, 2017

I just read about some people who have multiple SB reef lights on a system of similar size to mine... is that necessary? Would a single sBox 30" light up the tank well enough?

Velcro · Apr 27, 2017

I would check out the reefbreeder V2. Adam at @Battlecorals says they are rivaling growth and color of his t5 and halide systems and they have a much nicer form factor than the sbreeflights.

ReefQueen · Apr 27, 2017

I have both on seperate tanks. I prefer the SB honestly. Although the hydra is a nice light, I just can't get it programmed the way I want it, it's too fancy lol. I think one 30" SB would be perfect.

679x · Apr 27, 2017

Velcro said:
I would check out the reefbreeder V2. Adam at @Battlecorals says they are rivaling growth and color of his t5 and halide systems and they have a much nicer form factor than the sbreeflights.

Thanks for the reply. That's intriguing! That light does get good reviews. Of course, you just made my decision on lighting much harder... lol. It is more expensive though, so I'll have to think. It'll still be cheaper than the Hydra 26 x2 route.

ReefQueen said:
I have both on seperate tanks. I prefer the SB honestly. Although the hydra is a nice light, I just can't get it programmed the way I want it, it's too fancy lol. I think one 30" SB would be perfect.

Thanks for the reply, yea, I figured a single 30" would be fine.

The last issue is if I don't get the Hydra 26, how do I mount the lights? Since the tank is probably going to be the RS Reefer 250, which is rimless, I'll need to figure out some way to rig up the lights. If I just got the Hydra 26 it'd be easy because the Deluxe comes with the lights already and they can be mounted from the back, hanging over the tank like that. I do NOT want to hang anything from the ceiling, though. So how can I do it?

ReefQueen · Apr 27, 2017

This thread may give you some ideas.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/show-us-how-your-sbreeflights-are-mounted.289023/#post-3697358
I used conduit that I bent and attached to the back corner of the stand with brackets when it was on my cube. Now they are hanging in a canopy though.

ReeferMaddness843 · Apr 27, 2017

I run an SB 32" pro timer on my 48x24x16. Great light so far. I'm a week in and sps is coloring up nicely and shows visible growth. I'm very impressed.

happyhourhero · Apr 28, 2017

Depending on how long you want to wait (I dont know the concrete release date but ill ask at the store after work), SB is coming out with an "Ultra" light that is supposedly sexier looking. As far as spectrum and coral growth and coloration goes, I am extremely happy with my SB Reef lights but the housing is for sure clunky.

679x · Apr 28, 2017

happyhourhero said:
Depending on how long you want to wait (I dont know the concrete release date but ill ask at the store after work), SB is coming out with an "Ultra" light that is supposedly sexier looking. As far as spectrum and coral growth and coloration goes, I am extremely happy with my SB Reef lights but the housing is for sure clunky.

Interesting. I won't be getting this tank for a few months still. I wonder if that will be enough time for that light to come out.

I'm really not sure which light to get. From my understanding, SB lights, AI Hydra 26s, and Photon v2s are all good at growing coral. SB and Photon v2 might be better for coverage, but I'm not sure. The Hydra 26 is very easy to mount, and the physical appearance of the light unit itself looks the best imo. However, it's also the most expensive option. The SB light is the cheapest. After getting stuff for mounting the light, the Photon v2 would be nearly the same price as two Hydra 26s, but the SB still comes out the cheapest by a few hundred dollars. I'd just have to figure out how to mount it.

It's tough for me to say which light I want. Luckily I've got some time to think

Michael Montgomery · Apr 28, 2017

From what I've been told by the Owner of SB... The Ultras are 2-4 weeks away from being released.

Pivitol · May 6, 2017

679x said:
So what should I do? sBox elite 30" ramping light, or two Hydra 26s? I know price-wise it's cheaper with the sb light, but when it comes to coral, I want the best light, considering I'll be getting SPS and some LPS, but as I said before I don't know which of these two lights is better.

I just contacted SB on Friday about the 30" ramping model. They are discontinued

679x · May 6, 2017

Pivitol said:
I just contacted SB on Friday about the 30" ramping model. They are discontinued

Did they tell you why? It doesn't seem to say on their website.

Pivitol · May 7, 2017

679x said:
Did they tell you why? It doesn't seem to say on their website.

No they just said it was discontinued and the only models that had the ramping capability were the wifi models "for now"

Gbrum · May 12, 2017

I had the same question, about 2 months ago we had a lightning storm in the area. A friend of mine had radions on his tank. the storm blew them out. He Called Aquaillumination. they replaced his lights at no charge. he had new lights in the mail within 3 days. That kinda sealed it for me. I chose the Hydra's for that reason alone. we put a lot of money into our systems. its nice to have the warranties.