New light, now battling heat

[defdad]

I recently installed a Current Nova Extreme T5 light fixture over my tank. At the same time I also installed a skimmer and with the new plumbing I was not able to use my original glass top with the cut-out splash shield. I have two gobies and so I don't want to go topless. I have seen people using eggcrate or netting to stop jumpers but when reading the instruction manual for my light it say that this fixture cannot be used in a canopy and must be used over a covered tank.

I now have my lid slightly propped in the front with a fan blowing on it to bring the temperature back down(it was 85 this evening) but this doesn't seem like a great solution long term. I am also concerned about gas exchange.

I guess my question is has anyone used this fixture over an open tank? Or any other ideas would be appreciated. I would prefer to use a netting cover but I don't want to damage my light fixture.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

Sound's like you have your fixture in your canopy. If so, this is a no no. Get the fixture out.

 

[defdad]

I don't have a canopy. It is mounted above the tank with the legs that came with the fixture. I have an acrylic top with a glass lid hinged onto the front so the top of the tank is completely covered(as per fixture instructions) and now the water temperature is too high.

 

[Aqua Keepers]

You do not want to cover the top of the tank completely. This is bad in a few ways and one is a rise in temp. Take that top off the tank. That fixture should have an acrylic shield already installed to prevent splash on the bulbs. If you are worried about jumpers. Look into some type of netting.

 

[GSMguy]

covering the tank is like choking it, get rid of the top and then use a fan to blow across the waters surface and your temp will drop drop drop...

 

[defdad]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll look into making a mesh top for the center part under the lights.