I'm contemplating whether to remove the lens shield for my DIY 3X54W T5 retro canopy for my 55G. I used some thin acrylic sheet (Optix brand from Home Depot, 0.09 in, I believe).
I've dug a bit on this subject, and the comment I'm seeing associated with using a lens shield is, "your corals may not be getting the light they need".
At the moment, I don't have any high light demanding corals, just small LPS, soft, and small BTA's.
Are there many benefits to removing the shield? I'v read that a shield is used on MH lamps to block UV light, but since this is T5... Acrylic lens does seem to keep the heat inside the canopy (I've got a 60mm computer fan on the canopy to deal with that).
I'm in the process of raising the canopy to 4" above the tank lip instead of 2.5, and there I'm seeing no spots from splash, etc, on the lens shield now. Splash and salt creep were my primary concern in the first place.
Thnx for any comments.
I've dug a bit on this subject, and the comment I'm seeing associated with using a lens shield is, "your corals may not be getting the light they need".
At the moment, I don't have any high light demanding corals, just small LPS, soft, and small BTA's.
Are there many benefits to removing the shield? I'v read that a shield is used on MH lamps to block UV light, but since this is T5... Acrylic lens does seem to keep the heat inside the canopy (I've got a 60mm computer fan on the canopy to deal with that).
I'm in the process of raising the canopy to 4" above the tank lip instead of 2.5, and there I'm seeing no spots from splash, etc, on the lens shield now. Splash and salt creep were my primary concern in the first place.
Thnx for any comments.
