Aqua Illumination lighting questions

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I currently have a current USA orbit marine ice pro over 45 gallon tank. The tank is about 36”/13”/24”. These lights just don’t seem powerful enough since I would love a clam and several Montipora, and maybe even some acros. I was hoping that when Black Friday comes around, I could find a deal on some AI lights. Would one 26 or 32, one 52 or 64, or two 26s or 32s be best? The tank does have a rim and black strip that goes through the middle across the top. Also, are the 32 and 64 worth the price difference over the old 26 and 52?

 

[Jamestown]

I currently have a current USA orbit marine ice pro over 45 gallon tank. The tank is about 36”/13”/24”. These lights just don’t seem powerful enough since I would love a clam and several Montipora, and maybe even some acros. I was hoping that when Black Friday comes around, I could find a deal on some AI lights. Would one 26 or 32, one 52 or 64, or two 26s or 32s be best? The tank does have a rim and black strip that goes through the middle across the top. Also, are the 32 and 64 worth the price difference over the old 26 and 52?

I run a single Hydra 26HD on my Red Sea Max 24"x22"x22" and I have my hydra channels at about 100 (minus red green and white) and I'm getting around 250-300 par 3/4 up the tank on the top of my aquascape. I did have some issues growing Acros until i rented a par meter and found out that my lights were too low (were at about 50%). I cranked them up near max and I've had great results since. Walt disney, TSA mile high, RR Pink Cadillac, all growing and showing PE. I have LPS in the sand that are also doing well. If I could go back I might have gotten the 52HD for more spread but I'm not having any "issues" with lighting.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

I run a single Hydra 26HD on my Red Sea Max 24"x22"x22" and I have my hydra channels at about 100 (minus red green and white) and I'm getting around 250-300 par 3/4 up the tank on the top of my aquascape. I did have some issues growing Acros until i rented a par meter and found out that my lights were too low (were at about 50%). I cranked them up near max and I've had great results since. Walt disney, TSA mile high, RR Pink Cadillac, all growing and showing PE. I have LPS in the sand that are also doing well. If I could go back I might have gotten the 52HD for more spread but I'm not having any "issues" with lighting.

So it sounds like one 26 or 32 would not be enough for my tank since it’s a foot longer than yours?

 

[Gareth elliott]

I use 3 primes over my similar foot print. Yours is wider. I might actually do 4 primes over a 45” wide system, in a square. This would still leave some light fall over the long edges but would use both sides for lps and softies.