Here's what has happened so far with the top. I was able to remove the acrylic shield from the light. I'm sure that accounted for something. The only reasoning at this point was to protect the investment. Now my light is clean all the time, and to clean the lid, I simply slide it off. I admit, I do like the open air tank design, but I got the light already and I don't think I am going to take it back. What I have noticed about the lid is moisture stays inside the tank. This means that the water that gets on the lid really doesn't solidify and stays clear under the filter. My tank's temperature also fluctuates less with the room temp changes and is more constant 77. The light however, was getting blocked daily by mineral particles. The major disadvantage to the top now is the hinge which I have relatively centered in between the two bulbs. I also had to cut the plastic precisely with sheers so I didn't get puddle buildup right in front of the filter. I have to slide the light back to open the front lid. I can see definitely a 10-20% loss of light penetration, but its made up for with less maintenance and time for other tasks. At some point I will not be wiping the light down every day.
If I had an extra 100-200 dollars to throw at the problem and I thought it would mean something, I would simply just take the light back. I was just told today however, spending a couple extra dollars wasn't going to solve anything. For a serious upgrade to the light I have, I would have to just go all out. I haven't even advanced anywhere beyond my research, and I don't want to sink that much into a new venture. I'm mostly a freshwater novice. Besides, the coralife high output is a great little starter light for me to mess with. Thanks everyone! Ill let everyone know how it turns out. Just passed day 5 of cycling and my liverock algae hasn't died yet. :nilly:
http://img696.imageshack.us/i/20532813342orig.jpg/
If I had an extra 100-200 dollars to throw at the problem and I thought it would mean something, I would simply just take the light back. I was just told today however, spending a couple extra dollars wasn't going to solve anything. For a serious upgrade to the light I have, I would have to just go all out. I haven't even advanced anywhere beyond my research, and I don't want to sink that much into a new venture. I'm mostly a freshwater novice. Besides, the coralife high output is a great little starter light for me to mess with. Thanks everyone! Ill let everyone know how it turns out. Just passed day 5 of cycling and my liverock algae hasn't died yet. :nilly:
http://img696.imageshack.us/i/20532813342orig.jpg/
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