can t5's melt my brace?

[oba971]

I currently have 4x54 and soon to be 6 in my canopy. They are only about 2-3" above the water. Besides concerns of water splashing up I also am worried about the amount of heat on the center brace (it get's hot). Do I need to be worried about the brace warping/breaking because of the heat? Also, would I be better off raising my canopy so they are more like 6" off. I dont have a splash guard (im thinking about getting the glass versa top).

 

[bang guy]

The only concern I have for the T-5s being that close is that you should wipe off the salt once a week or so. It's not going to shatter the bulb unless the bulb actually gets dunked in the water.
 
For the brace, yes, it's going to damage the brace over time. I used a piece of white plastic for that and then replace the plastic every couple of years.

 

[reefraff]

If you have reflectors I'd try to keep the lights at least 4" above the water. Heat shouldn't be an issue on the brace but over time UV from any light will play hell on the plastic.