We use ReefBrite Halide hybrids on our SPS system with 6ft long XHO LED's.

It's not the best looking but the results we get from 400W Radiums is incredible.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...sets/shop1.jpg

my building skills are... functional only...
I will have to buy something turn key for sure!

That Reefbrite MH/LED hybrid is interesting... that's the first one I've seen.
though I would want it to have more LEDs, but that particular one is a little more industrial looking than I would want.

Yes, i'm thinking if I go MH ,it would have to be DE simply for the size of the fixture required.

but... I just realized, if I do not put a hood on the tank, would the light spill be too bothersome considering we would be sitting down at the dining table next to it???

i'd like to keep things as sleek and simple as possible, but we shall see I guess, I don't want people to be blinded while eating lol.

If you ran 6 kessils a360w you would be able to grow anything. You could also hanging them 8" off the water without any light spillage at all. My tank is in our great room and our couch in two feet away from my tank they light up your tank not the room. I think you could get away with five. I run three my tank is 56"L 24"w 26"h. Oh yeah no chiller :biggrin: just saying

400w halide radiums best option for color and growth

always tank dependent. I've needed my chiller with all three lighting systems. More likely to need a chiller with MH, but not in all setups.

Check out some of Brett's (lastlight) builds, he had a few nice sleek designs for his MH. I used his ideas and built a nice almost sleek light box suspended with a flat screen mounting arm. Overall happy with the aesthetics of the build.

If you choose to go MH I do have some used MH T5 combo fixtures as well as MH DE from Giesemann or Aqua Medic. Willing to give "Smokin" deals. Even have some new Vertex 250watt Electronic Ballasts as well as new BlueWaves.

So far , I'm really happy with my setup - 3x 360w Kessils & 2x 4' t5's . But they're in a easy home built canopy . Nice easy access to work on tank & no light spill.
So far SPS look good , really good.
Not too outrageously priced - think I'm into mine for canopy , lights & controller - $1500

I have 2 of the 4' ATI Hybrid units and I am not happy with them.
I have had 4 ballasts burn out and 5 of the LED reflectors melt.
ATI told me that part of the problem was that I hung the 2 fixtures side by side and caused the 2 units to overheat.
They still provided me with replacement components under warranty, but I didn't appreciate ATI trying to partially blame me for component failure.

WTF am I supposed to do for an 8' tank 30" deep lighting?

MH, LED and T5 are great options, but educate yourself about the limitations of whatever drawbacks the fixtures may have.

Don't mean to hijack this tread but I might be interested in some of your fixtures if you could PM me the prices for each units you have for sale.
Thanks