I am wondering if I can remove the optics and the plate that holds them on and run the led's open like that. Without the optics I get much better coverage. This is above a standard 10g 12" deep.
Never-mind. I got a response on another forum from the maker of the lamp and they don't recommend it. They apparently don't actually attach the led's with epoxy but thermal paste instead so it needs the optics and plate to hold the led's to the heatsink. I think I will just toss the lamp in the trash and build my own.