Lighting question

[Aquarius0015]

I say get a MH pendant and hang it from your ceiling and get a pressurized ph controlled co2 system.

A wee bit much for a few java ferns maybe? Overkill, what?

Edit: The acrylic I had that warped was about 5mm thick which isn't terribly thick, but thick enough that you'd think it wouldn't warp over a small tank (it was 5.5 gallons I think). That's the same thickness as I've got now though, but it's a good price and the warping (when it does happen) won't bother me much. Still beats glass IMO.

 

[nvision]

the pc fixture that you chose will generate a lot of heat, and will warp any reasonably sized acrylic sheet placed under it. but to your schematic, having an opening where the light rests on will greatly dissipate the heat onto the water. the burden of cutting this enclosed opening in acrylic is a totally different challenge. otherwise, how about suspending the fixture a few inches over a glass/acrylic canopy?

 

[blankenship]

So let me make sure I have this straight,

Even with a hole cut out, the heat generated by the light will warp the acrylic?

If I suspend a light a couple inches above a clear acrylic canopy would I still need the hole cut out, or will enough light get through?

Here is my updated design. There will be two pieces, the bottom one smaller than the top so it creates a ridge for the canopy to rest on the tank, and a ridge for the light to rest on the canopy.