MH with glass top???

nanoreef16g · #1 03/04/2007, 07:44 PM

Anyone ever used a glass top with their MH lighting? I just set up a 30 cube with a 150 watt HQI SunPod for lighting. I don't want the slight splashing I'm already seeing hitting the protective glass on the light. Not to mention the salt creep. Is the glass a serious problem? Oceanic glass tops are pretty thick. Let's hear some opinions and thanks in advance.

ratimpulse · #2 03/04/2007, 08:10 PM

I dont see a problem it will trap the heat so you may have a heat problem but other then that I don't see a problem with that

Jay4Robin · #3 03/04/2007, 08:15 PM

You will end up getting salt creep on the glass cover. That will also block lighting. How far away is your lights? I have mine about 6 inches over the water. I have to clean the lense at least once a month.

weaver5 · #4 03/04/2007, 08:17 PM

I have run mine both ways and you will see a huge decrease in light into tank with glass tops on.You might not see big difference at first but glass tops get salt creep on them fast and cut down lights.Good luck Scott

nanoreef16g · #5 03/04/2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay4Robin
You will end up getting salt creep on the glass cover. That will also block lighting. How far away is your lights? I have mine about 6 inches over the water. I have to clean the lense at least once a month.

The light is on mounting legs so if I use the glass top I would say it's 3-4 inches from the glass top. I'm assuming the problem would be that the light would produce a hot spot on the glass top that may crack the glass?

ratimpulse · #6 03/04/2007, 08:20 PM

I dont think the cracking would be the issue if you clean the glass alot then it wouldnt be a problem either way

Jay4Robin · #7 03/04/2007, 08:21 PM

I really would not use the glass top. trust me it will be a pain in the arssss. It will fog up get salt stains etc. The hot spot would not really matter.

Absinthe · #8 03/04/2007, 08:34 PM

I agree. For a brief time I used a glass cover beneath a MH and it turned out to be a pain.

As long as the MH unit is covered you will be fine.

Going topless will also help with heat issues, although evaporation works against you.

Talonstorm · #9 03/05/2007, 10:24 AM

I used the glass top on my Oceanic 30 cube for a few days. The heat buildup was the major issue. I ended up getting some plastic grid from the hardware store (used for ceiling lighting) and cutting it to fit. It works great.

Good luck,
Tina

demon16v · #10 03/05/2007, 02:48 PM

On my old 30 cube I cut the glass about 19x7 just so it protected the MH and had no problem with heat build up. I would wipe down the glass once a week when I did a wc.

Jon

nanoreef16g · #11 03/05/2007, 03:54 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have eggcrate over my 37 at my shop but I just didn't want the creep at home because my tank is near my stereo and a computer. I'm going to separate the glass sections at the black hinge and just use the smaller piece of glass to protect my light. We'll see how that goes and then it's eggcrate I guess if there's a problem. There used to be a guy on here that sold an eggcrate type material that was clear with 1/4 inch holes. I used it on my 16 when I had it.