Aquarium Cover?

[xp160]

I have a 30gal tank. Currently I'm using florescent bulbs and am going to be upgrading to MH so I can have corals. I'm looking at upgrading to a 175W pendent, but that would require me to get a new cover (the old one is the standard topfin housing that came with the tank and the fixture).
Should I make one? If so how would I approach this? Otherwise what shoudl I use?
Thanks.

 

[neowind]

You will have to build a new canopy. You have to have the MH off the water at least 6-12 inches so water will not splash and hit it and so the temperature will stay down. So a new canopy is a must for MH. Unless you wanna just hang them from the ceiling over your tank. Some people do this if you like that look.

 

[xp160]

I was planning on hanging it from the ceiling, I just was worried without a cover altogether I might risk the fish jumping out, or worse, something weird falling into the tank.

 

[neowind]

Well you will always run that risk of getting something in your tank or a fish carpet surfing but when running MH bulbs theres a couple reasons you don't want to have a cover.
1. It will keep way to much heat in your tank and cook your fish and fry your corals.
2. The cover will block and change the light spectrum which will defeat the purpose of running MH.
3. The cover can trap chemicals and gases into the tank and cause a tank crash.
These are just a couple reasons why not to use a cover. You will find that 99 percent of people with MH lighting do not use a cover. I tried using one and it turned out very bad.

 

[jlem]

You can get te plastic grating cover from a home improvement stoe to put over the tank which will the keep fish in and not block the light.