Lighting a 180 standard

[dan_k]

I know AI claims that the light spread is 24"-24" which is great but do they really?
I'm thinking of buying a 180 I have 2 AI Vega's not hooked up so I'm not sure if that claim is true. I know I need another but I don't want to buy 2-3 more to light the tank. Is there any AI owners out there that have 3 on a 180 6ft or 2 on a 120 4ft I'm thinking of doing a mixed reef in this tank but I will have SPS in it so I can't have a dark tank
Any help with this would be great thank you

 

[phantomg23]

I have one over my 40 breeder. It's mounted like 16-17 inches above at 60-100-100 percent and it covers pretty well. I only have shadows in the corners, the rest is good.

 

[dougc]

I have six SOLs over my 180. 3 would leave too many dark spots.

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[Rwc]

I've got 2 ai vegas on a 90 gallon 48" length it covers the area well

 

[dan_k]

I've got 2 ai vegas on a 90 gallon 48" length it covers the area well

Do you have any Problems with SPS? Does the light do all the way to the corners and how fair do you have them above the water level

 

[Rwc]

About 5" above water level. Mixed reef sps grows well lps also no real complaints other than some initial controller problems warrantee replaced 3 times. My plating montipora grows like wildfire

 

[MatteZ]

If you have some soft spots at the end you can put LPS or some zoas

 

[trivan]

I picked up 2 Kessil A360WE for my upgrade. When asked Kessil, they said 2 would cover a 48" long with no problem.

 

[lefkonj]

I have a standard 180 with 4 AI Sol Blues. I could of done it with 3. I will be upgrading to the Hydras and from what I have seen, read and been told this is more than enough for my setup.

 

[greybolt03]

I think it all depends on the hight of the light and the depth of the tank.
I have 2 on my 4 foot tank but the edges at a little dark could use another one but my canopy is so small I can only get the lights 4 inches off the water...