New lighting / Acrylic cover

I am removing the hood filter/lighting systems from my tank for some upgrades. I do however want to top still covered with an acrylic piece. Will this effect my lights if they pass through plexiglass in the water? What about if they get dirty?

I know stupid question

 

I have an acrylic sheet between my lights and tank, keeps the heat out of the tank. If it gets dirty, i just take it out and clean it.

 

In response to your question, yes it will definitely reduce the amount of light that gets through to your tank, especially if it gets dirty. I'm not telling you not to use a cover for your light, I'm just saying to clean it regularly from salt splash (like every couple of days).

 

I use acrylic over my tank and I haven't noticed any effects to the corals. I have many sps and lps. I just wash it when I do a water change.

 

They say plexiglass cuts light by 30% and glass by 40% and polycarbonate by 8%, but as Guitarman stated he has no problem in his tank, if you have a powerful fixture you should have no problems. I am guessing the numbers come from tank wall size covers for the plexi and glass. Poly is usually 1/16" thick. If you get plexi that is that thick you should have around the same reduction as poly I would think.