Lighting Retro Question

[scoop]

I am thinking about upgrading to a 75 from my current 30. I like an All-Glass set up that has canopy that goes up to about 7/8 in above the tank, leaving a lot of room for lighting. What I would like to do is put 5 - 8 T5's in the canopy. My question is whether I have to have some type of cover between the lighting and the water. I don't want to use the glass covers on the tank because of heat issues, but I don't know how I would mount some type of acrylic lens or something under the lights? How are people doing this, what are they using to protect the lights from condensation? Or, can I just use it w/o any barrier? (I do plan to have 2 good sized fans on the back of the canopy.)
Thanks for your ideas/suggestions, Don

[ReefNeck]

Most I have seen just use fans to blow the stuff around and away from the bulbs/connections.

I have Retro lights on my 120G, T5's and Halides. No glass tops, a few fans and no problems in 1.5 years.

Hope that helps

[scoop]

Thanks. I'd love to be able to let the lights run directly over the water with nothing in between, I just wasn't sure if the water would damage the lighting system.

[leveldrummer]

Originally Posted by scoop

Thanks. I'd love to be able to let the lights run directly over the water with nothing in between, I just wasn't sure if the water would damage the lighting system.

only real problem is if your flow is so great that water is actually splashing out of the tank, if some cool water hits a hot glass bulb, you could have some problems, but most people run lights wide open, i do. the only lights that really need a piece of glass are double ended mh's, you should be fine with the t5's about 4-5 inches off the water. maybe less.

[scoop]

Exactly what I was hoping to hear, thanks.