How would you light up a sps dominant system?

[Aquattro]

As you're well aware, there are so many other factors affecting SPS. "IF" you got all that dialed in perfectly, running LED will showcase your work well. While I still give 400w radiums the win on color, I only say that from hundreds of hours of staring in my tank under both systems. Nobody ever looked at my tank under LED and thought color sucked. Just me And that was from maybe a 5% difference in color. I did have a couple pieces completely change color, but the other 100 pieces did well with only a slight drop in that pop we strive for with SPS.
I think a hybrid system will give you enough of all the desired features that you'll be happy with the purchase.

[smokinreefer]

I hear ya on the MH.

I still remember rocking the single ended 400s with huge reflectors. only took 2 to light my 180 and you could put sps everywhere! add 2 VHOs and Boom youre done!

if it weren't for the size of fixture/canopy/hood needed for it, i'd consider them for sure. if only I was doing an in-wall with a fishroom.

having said that, the DE MH fixtures I've used just didn't cut it on spread. i'm sure if you raise lights high enough the spread would be better, but I don't think I've ever had a fixture more than 8" above the tank.

[Aquattro]

You'd need more than 2 DE for sure. Jamie ran 2 x DE on his 120 with pretty good results!