New light, now battling heat

I recently installed a Current Nova Extreme T5 light fixture over my tank. At the same time I also installed a skimmer and with the new plumbing I was not able to use my original glass top with the cut-out splash shield. I have two gobies and so I don't want to go topless. I have seen people using eggcrate or netting to stop jumpers but when reading the instruction manual for my light it say that this fixture cannot be used in a canopy and must be used over a covered tank.

I now have my lid slightly propped in the front with a fan blowing on it to bring the temperature back down(it was 85 this evening) but this doesn't seem like a great solution long term. I am also concerned about gas exchange.

I guess my question is has anyone used this fixture over an open tank? Or any other ideas would be appreciated. I would prefer to use a netting cover but I don't want to damage my light fixture.

 

I am no expert on the subject, but at my LFS they us the same ballast, maybe it is the six bulb though, over all their tanks with out any sort of tops. They don't keep any jumpers in them, though. I asked about it for myself yesterday, as I want to get new lighting. They said a nylon screen top could work. Just that the salt might build up so it will have to be rinsed every now and then. You can get DIY screen at Home Depot or Lowes pretty cheap.

hope this helps

 

I would remove the glass top as it hinders gas exchange and look at some of the vidoes from the last contest on 3 reef and maybe use the egg crate wall for your jumpers or just do an egg crate top to the tank.

Most likely the lights are not suppossed to be in a hood as it will hinder the fans that i am guessing are located on the sides to cool the lights.

 

I have used that fixture over an open top with no problems, it should have it's own splash shield in place. If you want to build a top that allows gas exchange, what I have done is to get some pieces of acylic and cut them to fit, then drill many 1/4" holes in it. The fan will be able to blow into the holes and they will also prevent any jumpers.

 

I use this fixture.. I got a chiller. My temp was going up to 85 also!

 

Thanks for the replies. Gives me something to think about for a long term solution.

 

The skimmer could be causing the extra heat. Let everything run a couple of days and take some baseline temp readings then unplug the skimmer for a couple of days to see if the temp is the same as your baseline. The pump on the skimmer might need to be cleaned out. I have a faulty MJ1200 that will make my tank temp rise like crazy.

Your top shouldn't be sitting on your glass, that will cause the fixture to overheat and your tank to overheat. If your using a water resistant top...ie glass tops or acrylic, something to prevent splashing, then remove the splash guard on the fixture. If you are going open top, leave the guard on.

 

Honestly I would just go topless... Fish are most prone to jumping when they are first acclimated into the system. If you have had them a while I would highly doubt they will attempt to go carpet surfing. Doesn't the NEP come with leg mounts? I am fairly confident they do. Also, as long as there is a splash shield on the fixture you do not need a closed top. Current is just trying to protect their rear.

What type of skimmer do you have? What pump is it using?

 

I have a coralife skimmer, it has a needlewheel pump. It may not be the latest and greatest skimmer, but it is pulling some nasty stuff out.

I am building a net frame for the top and an acrylic splash shield in the rear to go around the tubes and cover the skimmer drain splash.

The gobies are pretty new. The diamond jumped out of the tank tonight while I had the back splash shield off, but I got him back in pretty quick so hopefully no permanent damage.

 

I finished the net top for my tank and it has lowered the temp to 81 degrees with no fan(except the light fixture fan). I have pics of the net top in my tank thread(link below). I feel a lot better now that my tank can breathe. Thanks for the advice.