Question on the distance of lights

So, I will start building my canopy either this weekend or the next, and I am trying to work out the height of the canopy, and would like to know how high above the water to mount the lights.

Also a question, I was thinking of putting either acrylic panels or egg crate so that fish can't jump out, and to keep water from splashing up on the lights. Will this mean that light will not penetrate as deep, and needs to be closer?

Thanks for the help!

|-Goku-|

 

If you keep it clean from salt creep, an acrylic top won't be an issue. Egg crate won't keep small fish in, and won't keep water from splashing.

 

Are you using that 6x T5HO? How many watts?

 

would advise against the full acrylic panels they will drop ph, and kill gas exchange.

the lights should probably be a minimum of 4 inches from the water. but you want them to be high enough that you can work on the tank with out burning yourself against them.

 

The ATi Sunpower 6x54W

I would probably make it adjustable so I could move it up and down when I needed to work on the tank.

 

Do acrylic tanks or baffles in your sump made from acrylic drop ph???

 

no the less gas exchange drops the ph as a side effect. not the acrylic. It would be the same with glass tops.

 

what lights are you using? Mh could be higher than T5's.
T5's just put glass pannels under the light and eggcrate on the other remaining side(s) to help gas exchange and jumping fish. My wrasse jumped out 3 times before I put the eggcrate on, Hasnt since

 

well if its adjust able I would just do what you like best.

 

You can place the sunpower any distance you want since it has an acrylic shield. I would definitely suggest you give yourself room to raise and lower until you find the spot that works best for all of your corals. I have my T5 fixture about 7" above the water. I do not have a splash shield.