Lighting fixture question

[JoeE]

I purchased a 48w light fixture a week ago. The fixture came with an acrylic cover to go over the bulbs, which had a thin white plastic cover over it:0



Should I remove this cover or leave it on? The light is significantly brighter without it - would this be too much?

[nikelodeon79]

The white plastic cover is meant to come off.. it's just there to protect the acrylic from being scratched in shipping. I actually don't even use the acrylic lens, but my lights are mounted a good distance above my tanks.

[genocidex]

if you have glass tops for the tank then i wouldnt even bother with the piece of "acrylic" i put that in "" because some places will market it as such and use a cheap plexi that will yellow and disrupt the color. thats meant to be a splash guard

[patinthehat]

yeah i have to use mine cause the bubbles coming up 'pops' water onto my light. i am thinking about putting some glass down so i can pull mine out. since the light gets hot, the water dries really quick and the acrylic is really cloudy looking.

[Lady Hobbs]

The white plastic cover is meant to come off.. it's just there to protect the acrylic from being scratched in shipping. I actually don't even use the acrylic lens, but my lights are mounted a good distance above my tanks.

Wrong! That plastic is meant to keep water from splashing on the bulbs and blowing them. It is there for a reason and is to remain there. It also keeps the connections from corroding from the dampness. I clean mine off with lime-away about every 3 months. (Removing it first, of course.)

[genocidex]

@ LH, i think nikelodeon was referring to the white film that is on the plastic, not the sheet as i was referring to it.

[Lady Hobbs]

Oh poop. Sorry I misunderstand and thanks for the correction.

Sorry Nike

[nikelodeon79]

I was actually referring to the white plastic film (which I believe the original question is about) AND also made a comment about removing the acrylic cover altogether provided your light is far enough from the water surface. I'm on several planted tank specific forums and most members recommend raising the light fixture up so it's around 28" above the substrate (for double bulb, T5HO fixtures) and removing the acrylic lens. Example: My lights on my two smaller planted tanks are over a foot above the water... the water doesn't ever splash that high so it's safe to remove the splash guard.

In my mbuna tank, my light is basically right on the glass (for the moment, until I get around to mounting it higher) so the acrylic lens cover is still on there.

Sorry, should've been more specific. In short: YES remove the flimsy white plastic stuff, but leave the clear hard acrylic splash guard unless your light is high enough to be out of the danger zone. :)

[JoeE]

I have a canopy, so I'm not too worried about splashing. Thanks all.

[sir kyle]

First, try white vinegar to clean the lid before you buy lime-away. Dab near a corner to make sure it doesnt "cloud" the lid. You may have to dilute the vinegar.