Need some opinions and thoughts on lighting for my new tank

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I'll need to start a build thread. But I am consolidating 3 tanks down to 1. I ordered a 96x36x25 from Glass Cages. I currently have 6 XR30s - 1 G6 Blue, 2 G5 Blue and 3 G5 Pros. I am debating about buying the LED panel and convert them all to G6Blues. But, that's later... So for now - Here is what I need your opinions on:

Here is the tank from the top down. There are 3 glass supports that attach the front euro to the rea euro. Now, Joe is probably going to kill me, as I think I am going to convert this to a peninsula, but that won't impact what I am asking insight on.

Here are the 3 options. The tank will be very heavy SPS (acro, millie, etc) with some LPS/Softie. Probably 80% SPS. The right side you are looking at would be 100% SPS and the mixed would be far left. I will have T5s in play as well. I am not against buying 2 more XR30s, but wanted to see if I could get it to work with the 6 I currently have. I am worried the glass struts will restrict the light where they would be above it. I like the 3rd row, could be used for "high noon" for like 60-90 minutes a day to really bump the par up. The double line is 24 inches north/south for max spread, but east/west has overlap.

Thoughts?

Option 1

Option 2:

Option 3:

 

[JGT]

I have a 8’ x 2’ x 2’ 240 and have 7 xr15s g5. I have 4 blue and 3 pro. Tank is LPS dom with some softies and sps.
Oh, and my top is completely enclosed with acrylic.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I have a 8’ x 2’ x 2’ 240 and have 7 xr15s g5. I have 4 blue and 3 pro. Tank is LPS dom with some softies and sps.

Yeah, your mention in another post has had me thinking it might not be a big deal. I am just not sure on configuration and the impact of the glass struts.

 

[JGT]

Yeah, your mention in another post has had me thinking it might not be a big deal. I am just not sure on configuration and the impact of the glass struts.

Yeah. You might be overthinking it. But either way, any of those 3 options gives you a lot of flexibility.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Yeah. You might be overthinking it. But either way, any of those 3 options gives you a lot of flexibility.

LOL, that's how I roll...

 

[X-37B]

I would go with option #3. Plenty of even coverage. I have ran the 15"s with great results.

 

[oreo54]

I am just not sure on configuration and the impact of the glass struts.

Even dirty glass cuts out less light than one thinks.
10-15% maybe.

Effects of various aquarium covers on light transmission

I got a private message from GaryE and thought my reply might be of interest to others. Here’s the message: I know you have done innumerable studies on the various different lighting packages available. Have you ever studied the effects of different coverings on PAR levels? Specifically, I'm...

www.reef2reef.com

200 par or 170...not much difference.

 

[Spare time]

I think you don't need to buy more radions. I really think people overestimate how much light the corals need when a light fixture is outputting a very strong spectrum for photosynthesis.