29 gallon(standard) coverage issues

[fermentedhiker]

So I started a new tank a couple of months ago. It was kind of on the cheap so I was using stuff I already had lying around. I didn't have a suitable light so I ended up with a reef radiance wifi 16" that was on sale for a crazy good price. Light seems nice but I do have a coverage issue at either end of the tank.

I removed the lenses from the center three rows to get broader spread which did help quite a bit. But not enough(although I'm not maxing the fixture out at this point. The problem isn't so much that the ends aren't lit now so much as any coral on either end will only get lit from one side with the outer side being almost entirely shadowed.

A friend recommended a T5 retrofit. which I think would work but would rather not go that route if I could. Just playing around I hooked up a finnex planted+ that I had on the 29 when it was a freshwater setup. It definitely lights up the tank. Completely washes out the blues from the reef radiance though I was thinking about using it for a couple of ours a day(noon peak) while I wasn't around so it wouldn't spoil the look when I'm there.

Thoughts on the best way to remedy the problem?

 

[fermentedhiker]

a pic for reference;

 

[AdamNC]

Only thing you could do is T5 retro route or get a longer light to spread more light. Other then that just use the sides to place Lps.

 

[superbluetang]

I agree with AdamNC. Or get new lights.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Thanks for the replies. After further measuring a t5 retrofit won't actually fit as the existing fixture is too wide and most of the light from the T5's would be outside the tank.

So solutions at this point are down to a couple goosenecks with par38 bulbs, gooseneck mounted kessil a150, or replace the 16 with a 24 inch fixture.

 

[fermentedhiker]

I suppose an additional solution would be a couple 12" finnex fugeray marine run front to back on the tank on either side of the existing fixture would also work.