Question??

[teresaq]

I am switching out my light on my 54 gal corner tank.
The light I have is too strong, 250 wtt mh on a 20 inch tank. Things are bleaching and shriveling up. I cant keep the temps down and can not add a chiller.
My main question is will a 70 watt hqi do anything for this tank. I already bought a 96 watt PC retro, but do like the effect of mh.
Do you think 96 watts of pc and 70 watts of mh will be enough light - the corals in this tank will be shrooms, zoos, leathers. It will also house seahorses.
TeresaQ

 

[natclanwy]

I don't know that it is your light causing the bleaching could be the high temps though. I have 2-250w MH and 4-65w PC's over the top of my 55g tank which is also only 20" deep. I have been able to maintain the temp on my tank with two small 80mm computer fans.
As far as your question on the light soft corals would be fine under the PC's alone you wouldn't have to have the MH so 70w would be more than enough.