Lighting upgrade help please

[sandman450f]

I'm currently running 3x175 14k hamilton se over a 6' x 18" deep aga, along with 2x96 and 4 x65pc mixed 10k and actinic. All lighting is only abt 4"(with no lens/shield)off the water. The tank has a 10 inch glass center brace which of course sits directly under the middle mh and is virtually impossible to keep free of salt . I get decent coloration on my sps which currently are bunched at each end directly under the MH. Lowest position of sps is currently 8" deep or 12"from light. Because of the center brace the middle mh is virtually useless; so I see the only avenue to improve this situation is to run either 4x175 or 250s, or as per my lfs 2x400hqi pendants. I already have 1 reefstar 400w, however it appears that to get adequate dispersal of the light they will need to be at least 12" off the water and will still shadow my sps at the farthest ends of the tank.

Suggestions please; of real interest is does anyone run 2x400 hqi's on a 6' tank with excellent results on their sps?

I know i can mix and utilize 2x400 with what im using, but ouch the power consumption makes that prohibitive.

 

[jeffgp]

if you get a kit and make your own hood you can use 3-250 hqi or SE
the HQI will have a better light disperserment than the SE .

 

[sandman450f]

3x250 would probably be optimal, however unless i remove the center brace (and replace with two braces in between the mh's) I am still in the same situation with wasted par on the center of the tank. I am not comfortable with replacing the braces, sort of afeared of catostrophe. Im using all retros right now in my canopy.

 

[sandman450f]

anyone with a similar setup?