lighting question
 

I used to have a 120G w/ halides and VHOs and tore the tank down about 11 years ago, a year later i got a JBJ 28nano w/ HQI hood, tank cracked and i got a warranty replacement but never did anything with it for years. I then set it up about 2 years ago but removed the hood and put an AI PrimeHD on it.

I ran it as a FOWLR mostly because I wasn't super convinced of the AI for growing LPS and zoanthids. I got the Aquamaxx HOB skimmer for it, but never really felt convinced the water was "ok". I finally got it to take off and was getting decent coralline and polyps to grow, and i was excited it was finally progressing, then Hurricane Irma hit and everything died,:sad2: including my son's 3 year old sergeant major. I tore it down and set it up again a few months later, but fish didn't live very long overall neither did anything else i put in there.

I wanted to increase water volume so we ended up getting a RedSea Reefer 170, which I am filling up w/ water as we speak...

I am debating about the lighting. I don't want to spend any money if i don't have to. will the AI cut it, or do I need more light? I was thinking of possibly building a hood and putting the JBJ's 150W HQI and 2x24W PC's I have; is that the old-school me asking for a salvo? I am a little lost when it comes to this newer lighting.

I plan on having a few fish, LPS, polyps and inverts... I don't think i will go the SPS route again because of the amount of work needed and the absence of time available to perform said work.

What do you guys recommend I do?

The single AI prime is stated to cover up to 24" x 24"..
Your tank is 24" x 20"..
That single fixture should be sufficient for most low/medium light corals and you can easily just put "higher" light corals up top/center..

IMO... run it and see how it goes... adapt as needed ;)

fair enough! i'll give it a shot, thanks!