Halide Lighting

[ads8525]

Can the glass top of an aquarium be used with Halide Lighting or do they have to be removed and top left with no cover?

 

[BL1]

It's better not to use the glass lid. Using it can lead to poor oxygenation, salt sreep on the glass, and poor lighting performance.

 

[Bifferwine]

You generally shouldn't be using a glass top on your aquarium. It can heat the tank up, cuts down on gas exchange and collects salt creep.

If you are using a MH light, it should come with a glass shield built in.

 

[Pwny]

if you did use it with a top just give it a foot-foot n a half between glass n mh or else it will crack the glass lid, also you will need a air pump to help for oxygrnation.

 

[ccCapt]

If they are double ended (DE) metal halides, the reflectors MUST have a glass shield. If they are single ended no glass is needed. Either way you don't need a seperate glass top over the tank itself.

also you will need a air pump to help for oxygrnation

Not really. An air pump does very little in a SW system.

 

[ads8525]

I am more worried about stuff getting into the tank without the glass top. I would like to get some metal halide lights but am afraid of things falling into the tank. I have looked for canopied but noone makes one for a 72 gal bow.

 

[Pwny]

Not really. An air pump does very little in a SW system.

i just ment if he wanted to run mh with a glass lid it would prolly be a good idea. also have you looked into a diy screen
top ads8525?

 

[Bifferwine]

I am more worried about stuff getting into the tank without the glass top. I would like to get some metal halide lights but am afraid of things falling into the tank. I have looked for canopied but noone makes one for a 72 gal bow.

Do you have little kids?

 

[ads8525]

Yes I have little kids. I have been looking at making a canopy, just did not want to if I could get away with upgrading the lights and keeping the glass top. I guess I will do it the hard way and build one, the canopies look better anyways.