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I have a 30g that's about 18.5" deep. I'm running a reefbreeders photon 16 that originally came with 90° optics. My light is mounted about 9" above the water. I get a lot of color distortion on the rocks and sand so... tonight I took off the optics which should put me close to 120°. I'll run it this way for a while and see how things go.
Really depends on situation that's why there are varying opinions. If lights have to be somewhat close to the water, then no optics. If you have space to put the lights 12 inches or more above water, then I would say optics will do well. My LEDs are close to the water and it looks like spot lights if I run optics, with a 1000 par in the middle and none on the sides. No optics gives me about 350 at the rocks and 120 on the sand bed about 24 inches down with a very nice even spread.