Light placement and canopy questions

sundragon said:

I've really enjoyed getting back into the hobby since my childhood. Having a forum like this really helps with questions.

I've got a 30 Gallon X-high tank. DIY CO2, a Coralife 65w CF hood.
I tried to google some answers, but I didn't get a good answer so I'm back here.

1. I like the way Takashi Amano planted tanks have an open top, is there a reason they don't close it up? I believe it's just for appearance, as it looks better and you probably get better light penetration, but if your talking about the same Amano I think your talking about it's all about the plants and scape and not so much the fish who can jump out without a lid. I have had it happen to me so don't think it's rare.

2. Do you cover your aquarium? I have a glass versatop that I would like to use to keep down the evaporation of about an inch every week (especially with the heater going in the winter). All my tanks are covered now.

3. The Coralife fixture has legs, from what I understand - if I place a glass top, I need to place the light right on the glass to provide more light penetration. The light is not fixed to the glass and I feel uneasy about being able to move it around. I have a coralife fixture but it's not the clear big legs it's the metal wire like legs, I try to put it on the frame of the tank but they often fall off, it's no major difference and as long as you have a glass lid it won't fall in or anything. I would suggest using the legs and setting them on the glass, the glass won't shatter or anything under the weight unless it's a really heavy fixture.

4. Is the light loss worth placing the light on the glass or should I just leave it on the legs hovering above the glass. I would use the legs, not worth getting the fixture wet from splashed water or getting the glass hot from direct contact.

I've taken pictures with the light at different positions:
a. on legs
b. on legs with the glass
c. on the glass directly

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