LED Lighting for a 20 gallon long - To much? Bleaching?

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edekgb

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Do you think a Current U.S.A Orbit 48"-60" Marine light is over kill and maybe will bleach some of my "stuff" (basics: Zoas, Kenyan Tree, Mushroom looking softies, hammer coral, and rock anemone)? I took down my 120 gallon tank and have this light I love personally because of the timers and settings and ease of use without having to mount to my ceiling or walls (I know - im a newbie :sad:). Besides it hanging over the 20 gallon long and looking kinda funny do you think this is a bad idea? My thinking was - the bigger light, the more wattage. But I could get the right length one so it doesn't hang over? Current LED specs from website: [TABLE="class: cms_table_wp-table-reloaded cms_table_wp-table-reloaded-id-45"]
[TR="class: cms_table_row-5 cms_table_odd"]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-1"][/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-2"]48" - 60"[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-3"]46.8 x 3.5 x 0.44[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-4"]46 Watts[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-5"]96 Dual Daylight/96 Dual Actinic LEDs, 192 LEDs Total instead of [TABLE="class: cms_table_wp-table-reloaded cms_table_wp-table-reloaded-id-45"]
[TR="class: cms_table_row-3 cms_table_odd"]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-2"] 24" - 36"[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-3"]22.8 x 3.5 x 0.44[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-4"]23 Watts[/TD]
[TD="class: cms_table_column-5"]48 Dual Daylight/48 Dual Actinic LEDs, 96 LEDs Total[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 
I wonder if keeping it low would defeat the purpose cuz if the strong light isn't helping coral and anemone then maybe I should sell it and get the right length one for it. I have read around that these lights aren't great LEDs for strength so I was thinking the 23 watts that the 24-36" offers isn't enough. You have me thinking about selling my big one and using the money to get a small one? Thank you for the advice cuz nothing is more frustrating to a beginner then algae growth. Im a little afraid of starving my anemone and not having good coral growth.
 
I meant low as in power wise I have my led in a 60 cube and I have it like at 40% power and If I go higher I notice I get the common diatom bloom like crazy throughout the day and it's like 15 inches off the tank rim experiment with it if you don't have money to spend on good lights just yet keep a just fish only tank for now untill you get proper lights suitable for your tank and your needs be patient and do things right the first time cause trust me I cut corners and spent a lot of money because I was always in a hurry to get things in the tank like corals etc I'm only like 11 months in this hobby but I've learned so much through this forum and other hobbiest
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Other (please explain).

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