Plexiglass aquarium top okay?

[brentw]

Would plexiglass be okay spaced about an inch from two 48 inch fluorescent lights? I know some heat is generated from the lights, but enough to somehow melt or crack plexiglass over time? I mainly want to protect my lights from water spashes. Thanks in advance.

[Algenco]

plexi will flex unless it's fairly thick.
Better to use glass

[invadertoast]

I used Plexi on my 2.5 gallon and it flexed under a 10 watt bulb. It still works as a cover, just the hood wobbles some now.

[Algenco]

with the price of plastics being high, glass would be cheaper

[korith]

I was using 1/8" plexi as a top, and like algenco said, it flexed. It started bending in about a week or so. I think I will just start flipping it over each week. If I had to make another top, I would have gone with a glass top, or a thicker plexi.

[jb300m01]

If you can bend it with your hands it will probably flex. I added some metal supports to it to flatten it, but it still flexed!

[Algenco]

get the measurements and check a glass shop for price, ask for double thickness window glass