Lights Covers

[Barrett.Oliver]

I was wondering what type of an effect a plexi cover on a light would have on the effects it has on your tank life, and the same question applied to a plexi tank covering? Does anyone have any insight on this topic for me? Many thanks for any help to come.

Barrett

[mseepman]

Problem with a covering of plexi right on the tank is that it will a) hold the heat in and b) get splashed or covered in moisture...as such blocking the light into the tank.

You would have to be religious about cleaning the top up if you thought that heat wouldn't be an issue.

I have heard on different occasions that it is said to interfere with proper oxygen exchange as well but I'm not too convinced on this.

[Drock169]

I could see the oxygen thing as an issue only if the tank wasnt drilled.

[Barrett.Oliver]

So.... I won't be putting plexi over the tank itself.

How about anyone knowing the effects of the plexi with the cover over simply the light itself? How drastically will this effect PAR(I think this is what I'm supposed to be worried about) as this would likely extended the life of the fixture itself covering it.

Thanks again for all the help before and any help to come.,
Barrett

[RuGlu6]

depends what you got in your tank.
In my 6 Gal Nano i never clean the glass cover and its covered with salt creep for month or two before i clean, also PC bulbs are two years old some tree years old as an experiment i only changed one bulb when its burnt. no water change ither...
I got mushrooms, leather and some kind of star polyps all grow and multiply.
I have no fish in this tank though.

But back to the cover issue it is OK if you have low light demanding coral in there
JMO

[goldie]

is there anything that I can cover the tank with to slow down the evaporation? It seems like I am adding water every other day!