Tek5 4' 8 bulb - What should I use For cover?

[wfo115]

I have a tek5 4' 8 bulb t5ho fixture, I got the acrylic lens cover that comes with it to cover the bulbs from splashing. That lasted about 2 days till it warped from the heat of the bulbs. I have the fixture very close to the water and would like to keep it that way but I need some sort of cover. I could go with 1/8" glass, but I am little nervous with that amount of glass being that thin and not being strong enough and I cant go any thicker. Is there another material that would be somewhat lighter or not prone to breaking as easy as glass? Or should the glass be tempered? the size would end up being 47ish by 16ish.

 

[salt210]

how close are you talking? a lot of people run these lights with no covers

 

[pbienkiewi]

Shouldn't there be a piece of metal that slides into the light from one of the sides then you pull it to the middle of the light and it pulls the light together, a cross memeber I believe. I removed this piece on a old light that I had and had the same problem as you.

 

[wfo115]

My light sits about 1/2" of the top of the tank so I suppose its about 1 1/2" above the water. I don't recall getting any center brace with mine, I just looked at the light and I don't see anywhere it would attach?

 

[salt210]

if you can/want to move it up about 6-8in you would be ok.