Newb to t-5 lighting, quick question

So my reef tank is ten gallon and I have 2x24 HO t-5's. For the height I was going to make in around 5 inches off the water so there would be less cleaning involved because I know I hate cleaning my PCs on my 24g. (Thoughts comments) I really want a claim because my store has them for 30 bucks, would putting the lights this high inhibit me from getting one and placing it in the sand bed, keep in mind my tank is only 11 inches high. Now the next question is probably pretty easy to answer but I can't find it. Do I need to place glass between the lights and the water? They have water proof end caps and since I read you have to clean the reflectors I'm guessing no. But I decided just to make sure, I don't want them shattering. THanks!

 

What type of fixture is it? We'll start there... Does it have a splash guard? Mounting legs?
Glass tops are really not your friend in marine aquaria... They can block a significant amount of light entering the tank, and they tend to cause poor gas exchange lowering your pH....

I take it you meant you want a clam? What kind? If so your lighting might not be sufficient esp if it is 5" off of the tank.

 

the wattage may not be quite enough to keep a clam happy on the sand bed. i could be wrong but might not be enough for it. if you can get some sort of splatter guard for your lights , that would be the best thing. amazing the amount that builds up on mine.

dang, beaten by that much by dr.frag. lol

guy

 

It was close

 

Glo fixture, and its basically a diy kit. Bought the ballast, reflectors, and lights separate and I'm going out now to get wood for a hood to build it in. I'm also probably not going to have any fish in the tank, maybe a watchmen goby but that would be about it. So should I use nothing or get like a thin sheet of plastic or would that block the light as well.

 

and haha damn i missed the claim thing. I'm usually good at proof reading before I post. I'm going to the store now to get one last piece of LR to make my setup complete I'll right the name down. I know it's not the maxima clam, it might have began with a t.

 

when you go to make your lighting hood , you can cut a groove the length of it , and slide a thin piece of plexi into as a splash guard. easy to remove and clean

 

Here's the unfortunate thing. It is really a bit irrelevant about the lighting in regards to the clam. Because your tank is only 10 gallon, the only clam that might be small enough to go in your tank is a crocea clam (grows up to about 6 inches), which is the most light-demanding of all the clams. Your lighting is definitely not sufficient for a crocea.

Your lighting may well be enough for a derasa or squamosa clam. But the problem is that both of those clams will outgrow your 10g tank fairly quickly. These can grow from 12"-16" long. So unless you are planning an upgrade in size, I'd reconsider the clam idea for now.

Sorry to bear bad news - I love clams too.

 

Boo....alright thanks, on the tank it says ORA or OAR (I forget already) but I can't seem to find that online, a site came up when I googled it. Well since I have to put a splash guard in anyway I'm going to drop the lights 2-3 inches, oh well better lighting for the tank I guess.

 

Absolutely. And there's no reason why you couldn't keep some nice LPS corals in that tank with that lighting - could be stunning if you plan it right