The bottom line is there is pretty much no way for all us armchair quarterbacks to know what the real right answer is. All we can really do is speak from our own experience and what has worked for us in similar situations. And all I can say from my personal experience with the lighting aspect anyway, is that raising the LED lights higher made a noticeable improvement in coral health, growth, and reduced shadowing and "hot spots". Just decide if you think it's worth a try.My only argument with needing to raise the LED's are that the person that I got the rocks from had the maxspect running on the tank and they sit the same height as the OR. The zoas were looking really nice when I got them from him, that's why I think it has to be something else. But I'm willing to try whatever you guys suggest.
By the way, here is how my lighting is now with the hanging kit (12" Above the water line)...
Much nicer look than the wood blocks too