can you have a glass canopy and t-5 lights?

[Tony Dehoyos]

I think i read somewhere you couldnt, but i dont know /:
so it hought id ask you guys.

[reeferbill]

I would not because the air exchange of oxygen would be cot-off from the surface area at the top of your tank. Thats why we add surface agitation to the tank to enrich the oxygen content. I use the plastic recessed ceiling light panels from Home Desperate that come in 2 foot by 3 or 4 foot sizes. Another advantage is not having to clean and stops fish from leaping out.

[Tony Dehoyos]

I'm sorry, i dont understand how it would cut it off (if i still have alot of surface water movement?)

[MyNameIsJoe]

I'm sorry, i dont understand how it would cut it off (if i still have alot of surface water movement?)

If you have a glass canopy, or a piece of glass, covering the entire top of the tank, you would be isolating the surface water from the oxygen outside of the tank. Therefore, the surface agitation is less useful without the access to the oxygen supply. I would think glass would be fine, just as long as the entire top of the tank is not completely sealed.

As far as the glass limiting the potential of the light, I'm not to sure. I have seen T5 fixtures with glass shields (as opposed to acrylite or plexi-glass). I would assume these manufacturers would not put the glass shields in their fixtures if it would limit the lighting potential. But, then again, not too sure.

You might want to consider an acrylite cover instead of real glass.

If I see anything on the internet on glass limiting the power of T5 output, I'll post it here.