48x18x24 90gallon lights dilema

[Rmorales247]

Ok turning to experts on lights here. My LFS let me borrow a par meter. I went and measured my lights first time and lets just say original lighting had to go! I asked for their advice and they said that 2 AI prime 16hd would better my situation. I didn’t want to drop 2k on lights at that moment. After re doing my par measurements they did improve by a whole lot but not where I want to be. Goal for tank to be mixed lps and sps.

I would like the 3rd row from top to be in the higher 100s. 2nd row from top be in the 200s and top row closer to 300+

My thinking is if I add 2 more prime 16hd (LFS advice) im just spreading the wattage more horizontally and my par values would stay pretty much the same. In order for me to go deeper into the tank at higher par values I would need higher wattage. Like 2 AI edge 68 lights. My 90 does have a center brace so shadow in the middle would be a concern on the 2 AI edge 68s. My knowledge on this subject is limited so that is why I ask.

Is my thinking totally wrong? I have been researching but have not found an answer to my logic. Thanks in advance!

 

[TX_REEF]

is that the PAR with the lights at 100%? If so, you'd almost certainly want more fixtures to accomplish your goal of mixed LPS and SPS, the PAR at the top of the water in the center 4 reading is what you want for SPS. Without going down the path of replacing your existing fixtures, you could consider adding an orphek bar to the front half of the tank, angled slightly backwards. That is what I did with my mixed reef to reduce shadowing, but it also adds significant PAR. AI Primes are not know for their depth penetration ability, from what I have seen.

https://amzn.to/4aRCbnx

 

[Rmorales247]

is that the PAR with the lights at 100%? If so, you'd almost certainly want more fixtures to accomplish your goal of mixed LPS and SPS, the PAR at the top of the water in the center 4 reading is what you want for SPS. Without going down the path of replacing your existing fixtures, you could consider adding an orphek bar to the front half of the tank, angled slightly backwards. That is what I did with my mixed reef to reduce shadowing, but it also adds significant PAR. AI Primes are not know for their depth penetration ability, from what I have seen.

https://amzn.to/4aRCbnx

So the LFS would take these back and give me full credit towards another set. Have had the primes for than a week and the owner is super cool.

Your option is a good one. But im thinking if I can exchange these primes, now is the time to do it.

 

[TX_REEF]

Got it. With a tank that shape, I'd want either more powerful spotlights, such as kessil or reefi, or a powerful bar-type fixture, such a reefbreeders. I'm partial to kessil due to the fixture aesthetics, coral color development and the amazing shimmer, but everyone has different priorities:

Kessil: https://amzn.to/3N30ffd

Reefi: https://www.reefi-lab.com/product/reefi-uno-2-1-pro/

Reefbreeders: https://reefbreeders.com/products/photon-24-v2-pro

 

[Rmorales247]

So I went back to the LFS. They will take back the two prime 16HD and I ordered two the Hydra edge 68s