Advice on upgrading light for 10gal

[HumanIMDB]

<i>(Posted also to the Nano Forum)</i>

I'm looking to upgrade the two Coralife Compact Fluorescent 50/50 Incandescent Type Bulbs on my 10 gallon reef to a <a href="http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=53101&IDProductRelationship=36">Coralife 20" AquaLight Deluxe (96 watt 50/50 4-Tube)</a>.

Currently in the tank I have a Green Clown Goby, a cleaner shrimp that may or may not make it through it's <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=936544">molting issues</a>, a <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=934424">Blue Mushroom</a>, an assortment of snails, and one Blue Leg Hermit Crab.

I'm looking to add a pair of clowns and some coral in the next month or two. I'll probably go with more mushrooms, polyps, and some softies to start and eventually work my way up to the more demanding stuff over time.

I have two questions. First, will that be too much light for the mushroom I have already? <i>Resolved by moving it under some shade?</i> Second, is that enough light to keep everything but the most finicky SPS Corals, Clams, and Anemones?

[Shooter7]

I have this light on my 10g. I'm not fond of it, personally, because mine tends to be pretty loud (the cooling fan). It's pretty bright in there, but I have a monti cap in there, which is a lower light needing SPS, and it's only growing verrrry slowly and not nearly as nice looking as the one in my bigger tank under halides. I don't have any shrooms under it, but have xenia, zoas, and GSP, along with the monti cap. The other corals seem to do ok under it. I wouldn't have any acros under this, maybe the previously mentioned cap or monti digi. I'm looking to eventually put a halide over it.

[Travis L. Stevens]

You can keep some of the simplest SPS as well as most LPS and almost all soft corals and related animals. I wouldn't push it though.

Concerning fish, I would advise against getting a clown, let alone a pair. In the mean time, look for a better choice.

things like small shrimp gobies, neon gobies, clown gobies, and firefish are far better candidates.

[HumanIMDB]

Thanks Travis.

Why do you advise against the clowns?

I've looked at Firefish but am worried about their preference to go carpet surfing.

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8237758#post8237758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HumanIMDB
Thanks Travis.

Why do you advise against the clowns?

I've looked at Firefish but am worried about their preference to go carpet surfing.

The clowns get too large as well as need a fair amount of swimming room. Two clowns demand a larger amount of territory.

As far as the firefish goes, you can always get something like Eggcrate (Light Diffuser, or some gutter guard to help thwart any jumping.

Light Diffuser (Eggcrate)
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/TravisStevens/Aquariums/Saltwater/10%20Gallon/Eggcrate.jpg

Gutter Guard
http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/285486_front200.jpg