Considering running 3 or 4 lights widthwise instead of 1 lengthwise?

[Matt Carden]

I have a 5'x2'x2' tank build which will be stocked with 150# of rock. I was thinking of going with the SB reeflights Ultra 45 light to span the length of the tank. Then I realized the lighting surface is only 8" wide which leaves 8" along the front and back that would be under shade given the rock towers that will be spread out to maybe 4" from the glass. So now I'm thinking I would have better coverage for the faces of the cliffs if I used 4-16"x8" lights with the 16" dimension going widthwise. I will not be using a canopy so aesthetics will matter in the appearance of my lights. This will be a reef tank with fish. I was thinking of going with the Roleandro wifi lights for $125 but really want the SB wifi for $260. The Ultra is $700 so I would rather go that route and the Ultra would look better than 4 CBB's hanging over my tank.

 

[ourcoralreef]

150 pounds isint that much rock for a 5x2x2 tank so im guessing you are going to go open concept and short
The higher you place the leds the wider the spread you will be loosing some par though
So just raise the % of light

 

[Matt Carden]

I will be making some pillars and if needed I will use more rock to get the desired effect.

150 pounds isint that much rock for a 5x2x2 tank so im guessing you are going to go open concept and short
The higher you place the leds the wider the spread you will be loosing some par though
So just raise the % of light

 

[Matt Carden]

I have revised what I am thinking of doing for lights. 6 - 16" SB basics for ~$800 which would give me justification to buy the APEX controller. I've attached the layout of the 6 lights.