conversion?

I'm going to take one of my AHS IPA kits and make a 3 crop cream ale. I have 8 lbs of extra pale extract but if I use the crystal 75L, according to Beer Calcules my color will be too dark, My question is do I need a base malt to steep with my minute rice and instant grits to get conversion? If so can I use less than the pound of crystal or I could mill some bries on morris otter as I have them allready? Also how do you think columbus hopps would be in this at about 16 IBU, I have 4 pound of whole columbus hops I purchased on ebay

columbus is good in an IPA... very high Alphas. bries is lighter than marris otter, but if you are looing for enzymes then you should be using a 6 row, I think.

Yes, you need some base malt to mash with your rice and corn. 2 row will work, 6 row is a little better, but...

BTW, don't use the crystal in that recipe.