Too much light?

So I'm setting up a new 120 gallon long (6 feet long, 18 inches wide, 24 inches deep). I plan on having LR with some corals. I decided to buy 3 250 watt HDI metal halides that I had planned on retrofitting to the canopy, so they'd be approx 6 inches above the water line. I got em today in the mail, and fired one of these massive friggin lights up. Wow. Very bright. It's like the sun is in my dining room. Only turned one on. anybody running this kind of setup? would 150 watt lights be better off? I figure if I do run with these I'm gonna have to rig a bunch of fans cause heat is an issue for me here in florida. As always any input is appreciated. Thanks! (also, is it ok to put lower wattage HDI bulbs in a ballast that supports 250 Watt?)

 

Since you have 24" deep tank, I dont recommend anything less than 250w. You could always go lower in wattage, but the end tips wont fit. I dont have any fans on the water surface and I have 2-250w MH, But if your going to have them in a canopy, then yes, you'll need some fans. All depends on how cool you keep your house. Luna

 

i would go down to just two 250's, you don't need 3

yes you need fans..

 

Thanks for the quick replies, good I don't feel so bad now. I think I might try just putting the 2 in as suggested, since it only takes a minute to rearrange if a 3rd is needed. Think I'll also try to prop up the canopy a bit as well to get the lights further from the water line. Definitely gonna get some fans, maybe change out the canopy lid for a screen type deal which I've had to do in the past (got an ac vent right over the tank which helped out my open top 50gallon, which will no longer need the spot. Thanks again, always amazed at how willing to help everyone is on this site!