Any one have Metal Halides with Versa-tops?

[cthoughts1]

Hey all.. so I'm considering going from t5 lights to a 2x 250 watt Metal halide lights with actinics. I also have the glass versa-tops for my tank to cover it and prevent fish from jumping out... I guess my question is will the metal halides damage the glass? Maybe cause it to crack or something? Anyone else have the glass tops on with metal halides? Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I tried it with my 55 and found that the heat being retained was quite a bit, once I took them off my heat problems drastically reduced themselves.

 

[cthoughts1]

Was that a problem only in the summer or did it affect you all year round? I'm trying to weigh out the pros and cons.. I like to have the glass tops for some reason....

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

It was year round.

 

[cthoughts1]

Thanks for sharing your experience man.. anyone else have any issues or problems or experiences with this kind of set up?

Thanks.

 

[juiceguy]

it will not damage the glass but the plastic hinges will melt over time. i removed mine a long time go and my tank runs 3 degrees cooler without the tops. another benefit to removing them is you get better light penetration.

 

[greggnyce]

You can always make a sreen for the top out of pond netting and velcro, if you are worried about the fish jumping

 

[cthoughts1]

Thanks for your opinions guys.. What about salt evaporation onto the lights? Is that a problem? Greggnyce, thats a good idea, just don't think I'm that handy.. Any won't the pond netting also melt or something?

 

[juiceguy]

i have the pond netting over my tank, i cut up the versa top into strips and sandwiched the net between the strips with a bead of silicone. the pond netting is so thin that it doesn't block out light and stands up to halides very well. salt spray is always an issue, if you had the versa top, you would have to clean that also. evaporation does increase with an open top but it helps keep the tank cooler and also aids with gas exchange.

 

[cthoughts1]

Thanks for the advice juiceguy.. I'd love to see what it looks like on your tank..=) I may go your route..

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

All my MH lighting wae DE bulb fixtures so they always has Glass covers over the light. I would clean the glass when I did my tank maintenance and all would be fine.

 

[SIReefer]

I have a 75 gal mixed reef w/2 250 wt mh's & 2 96 wt pc actinics w/glass top. There is about a 2 inch gap in the glass from the rear of the tank. I also have a chiller plumbed into the system. System running w/mh about 2 yrs. No issues w/salt creep, excessive heat, fish jumping or melting glass/plastic. Pond netting would probably be the way to go but I'm too lazy.

 

[cthoughts1]

SiReefer, good stuff man.. that's pretty much the same lighting system I'm going to be running.. I don't have a chiller, do you think that's going to be an issue?

 

[SIReefer]

Cthoughts!, Depends on tank location. If you have central A/C. a room A/C that is constantly on or a cool room, then no issue. My tank is in the basement with no A/Cs just fresh air & ceiling fans. Due to my tanks location it would be too hot without a chiller.