How many Lights over tank?

[Rijodan]

Hey I'm setting up a 100ish gallon tank for LPS/SPS and wanting to figure out how much lighting I should put over it.

The tank dimensions are 24"x40"x26" DxWxH

The lights in putting over it are ai 16s I got a decent deal on 6 of em so tryna see how many I should put over it. 3 in line or 2 pairs of 2 or what.

Please advise

 

[AutumnReefs]

2 or 3 should be fine. I would do 3 if you are wanting a decent amount of SPS

 

[nereefpat]

Why not run all 6?

 

[lpsouth1978]

Why not run all 6?

Agreed, I would use all 6. I used 3 over a 40B and struggle to see that 3 would be sufficient for a 100g system.

 

[Rijodan]

Cause I also have a 30g and 180g to light and don't want 1000 par

 

[AutumnReefs]

Cause I also have a 30g and 180g to light and don't want 1000 par

A single prime in a 24 inch deep tank covers roughly 24x24 but ideally 18x18. at proper mounting height. A heavy sps tank would benefit from 4 providing lighting from many angles and help with the depth of the tank. But, 2-3 is all that is needed for the length (3 lights = 1 light per 13ish inchess). 4 (2 rows of 2 would be the ideal given no price limit as the intersection should cover the entire tank perfectly). 6 would only be necessary if you are wanting extreme colors for acropora and such.

 

[Rijodan]

A single prime in a 24 inch deep tank covers roughly 24x24 but ideally 18x18. at proper mounting height. A heavy sps tank would benefit from 4 providing lighting from many angles and help with the depth of the tank. But, 2-3 is all that is needed for the length (3 lights = 1 light per 13ish inchess). 4 (2 rows of 2 would be the ideal given no price limit as the intersection should cover the entire tank perfectly). 6 would only be necessary if you are wanting extreme colors for acropora and such.

I just finished building the canopy and went with the 2x2 like you mentioned. Ima play with height and par, but I've got them set 11 inches from the edge of the tank width wise and then 8 inches depth wise which should give me plenty of coverage with little shadowing. At the worse I've got some 24" led bars stashed somewhere I could pop colors with but doubtful I'll need it unless like you said I go full blown acro sps

 

[Shirak]

I have 3 AI hydra 32 and it's enough for acros on a 55g but only adequate IMO

 

[Rijodan]

I have 3 AI hydra 32 and it's enough for acros on a 55g but only adequate IMO

Do you not have them on? I have one 16 8" off the water on my 28g and I'm growing sps with 600-700 par.
I mean I do run my leds at full blow, but I don't see how you're not getting enough with 3.