How to place T5 light fixture over your tank?

I am going to purchase a T5 light fixture for my 55G tank. Top dimension is typical 48' x 13" with a divider in the middle. Do I have to buy a clear plastic lid for the light to sit on or is it better not to cover? How do I place the light over the tank then?

 

Most lights will come with legs or a hanging kit. Are you looking at a particular fixture?

 

if you dont have a hood i would just hang it. otherwise you would want some type of legs to lift off the tank. you dont want inches from your water, you are asking for trouble like that.IMO i dont like to cover my tanks (if you smoke in your house there is no question you should cover your tank) You want the tank to be able to release CO2 so it doesnt lower your ph. plus you loose some of specture of light (uva and uvb) through plastics.

 

I hung both my lights rather than worry about me accidentally bumping the legs and knocking it in. Too nerve racking. I used to keep the lids on the tank, but they get a lot of salt creep on them easily if yourwater splashes a little. I got a sump and I got rid of the hob filters and it helped to stop the splashing.

 

My tank is built into the wall and I only have about 3 inches of clearance from the top of the tank so I'm guessing my only choice is to cover with glass canopy then place a light over it?

 

I don't think the light will fit in only 3 inches - it will be tight if it does. How do you get into the tank for maintenance, coral placement, etc. in that much space?


Here's an older pic from when I was documenting my CuC that shows the legs on my similar light on my 55g.

 

Well, the only fixture I know that might fit is a Tek fixture, they are about 2.5" high. Peredhil makes a good point, how do you clean your tank and add corals etc.?

 

It's was a bad planning on my part. For maintenance, I just remove the top which will give me a full 8" x 48" access. Here are some photos.

 

babyduke i do not see your pics?

 

i see 'em, duke what kind of lights are those?

EDIT: I see now, you actually have a physical divider in the middle of the tank...Is there a way you could cut a small section of it off?