Light options?
 

Trying to decide on lights, help me out.

30x40 footprint, 22" deep, coral will be SPS

Torn between 2 x AI Hydra 52 or ATI 36" 8 bulb dimmable.

dimmable is lame

id go hydra

Not all it's sold to be?

apparently you have to like break in your bulbs and stuff before you can dim them, most people i know that have dimmable dont dim them

Lights...
 

Have you looked at a 3rd option, Radion xr30's or xr 15's Gen 4 Pro's. The sky's the limit with what you can do with them. I have several and have absolutely no complaints with them.
A bit pricey but when you buy it once...your done...IMHO

Just looked, a bit outside what I want to spend. I also have to think of light spill, so the ATI might be the winner there. LED might have to go too high to spread well.

T5 best only thing u need 1 light bar of the royal blue LEDs for pop

I was looking at the reefbrite add on strip, that should do it.

Tried and true. ATI 8 bulbs with one or 2 reef brite strips. Grow a better SPS show tank than straight LED anyday.