No splash guard question?

[h2con]

I found a 48" t5 ho light that has 6 bulbs, individual reflectors, 2" legs but no splash guard. I don't think they make one for it. Its going on top a 55g. Should I just use a glass top or buy some acrylic from the h depot and cut it myself? Am I going to have a problem with heat or losing some of the lights par by putting a cover on my tank? The light is on E**y, the seller is buildyouraquarium. It says its made in the USA, they have a 4,6,8 bulb version. I have emailed a couple people who bought them and they love it I'm just worried about no splash guard.

 

[nycbob]

with no splash-guard, u will need the glass top for sure. do u know what brand is this fixture? its hard to imagine a fixture made for aquarium use not having a splash-guard. egg crate would not bc good, bc the moisture can get onto the bulbs.

 

[h2con]

I doesn't list a brand name. If you search for the sellers name on the *bay site I had posted you can see it. There is a $50.00 price difference between the 4 and 6 bulb fixture.

 

[sign guy]

I wouldnt put a top on the tank because youll throw off you air extange with your water, and your nitraits. you can get lexan (a good bit thiner than standerd plexie) from home depot and if you have to ziptie it in place its still worth it IMHO

 

[reefraff]

First off I wouldn't buy the unbranded crap on stinkbay but anyway, if it doesn't have cooling fans don't use a splash shield. If it comes with legs it should be far enough above the water salt spray wont be an issue.

 

[h2con]

How about the 48" Current USA SunDial T5 HO? It's a 4 bulb individual reflector. Is that a good light that will allow me to keep most everything in my 55g?

 

[nycbob]

if the tank is less than 18 inches in depth, then i'd say yes if u place ur corals and inverts strategically. it also depends on ur water parameters when one says keeping anything in the tank. lighting is just one of many components required to maintain a successful reef.

 

[h2con]

I did most of my learning reading and asking on the forums before I started my reef tanks. My 90g with 2x250 halides powered by Coralvue ballast can keep anything in it meaning light output. Of course everything else has to be inline. All my saltwater tanks have been up for about two years or more with no crashes or major problems. Knock on wood. I was just moving stuff from my 25g reef into a 55 I had in storage. First I was going to get a cheap light then I thought all my corals in my 90 are growing so fast, I might as well frag them into my 55 and start another reef. Along with my 5.5g dwarf seahorse tank that should be done with its cycle soon.