Will using egg crate on tank top block out light

KeepinDaReef · 03/07/2006, 03:09 PM

I was wondering if I replaced the glass tops on my 75G tank with egg crate, would block light from getting to tank. I have a total of 543W of light (2x96w PC Atinic and 2x 175w MH). Also is best to use the plane white color or the crome coated reflective one?
Thanks

BurntOutReefer · 03/07/2006, 03:41 PM

IMO...I would use the "chrome" version as long as it doesnt flake off...this way you at least get some reflection...would make for some interesting reflections on your substrate....

jony5 · 03/07/2006, 04:03 PM

i ve done it before without problems

rbonick · 03/07/2006, 04:07 PM

I have fairy wrasses in my 75 gallon reef. I had to use eggcrate to prevent them from jumping out of the tank. There is ittle if any degradation of the amount of light. I keep mostly sps and have seen no change in colors or growth.

h20cooled · 03/07/2006, 04:40 PM

Yeah you will lose a little bit of light to the tank.

Waylander · 03/07/2006, 04:50 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ight=egg+crate

jony5 · 03/07/2006, 04:53 PM

i dont think he will lose thatmuch

chad508 · 03/07/2006, 05:40 PM

the egg crate is designed to diffuse light. so yes you will loose some light.

Nickeleye · 03/13/2006, 10:49 PM

I just added egg crate to go over my 75g. The egg crate is about 6" under my dual 150w MH lights and 144w of actinic PCs. It did appear to reduce lighting some, but it was hardly noticable. Hopefully it'll keep my jumpers at bay.

Oh yeah, I used the white kind since I had some laying around.

chrisc615 · 03/13/2006, 11:05 PM

Actually Calfo recommends it to increase light. There's a fat and a thin side to the eggcrate. Tapered side up will focus more of the light into the tank.

Ti · 03/14/2006, 12:18 AM

You'll lose some, but it's no HUGE deal

BrentN · 03/14/2006, 03:15 PM

Adding eggcrate will decrease the quantity of light reaching the tank, but probably not by much. I would like to read calfo's post if anybody knows where it's at. Somebody with a light meter could end the confusion, but only light shining directly through the eggcrate will hit the tank with full intensity.

03/07/2006, 03:09 PM	#1
KeepinDaReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beale AFB Posts: 8	Will using egg crate on tank top block out light I was wondering if I replaced the glass tops on my 75G tank with egg crate, would block light from getting to tank. I have a total of 543W of light (2x96w PC Atinic and 2x 175w MH). Also is best to use the plane white color or the crome coated reflective one? Thanks __________________ 75 Gal 542 watt MH/PC combo 75Lbs LR 60 Lbs LS

03/07/2006, 04:50 PM	#6
Waylander Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Here...sometimes there Posts: 273	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ight=egg+crate __________________ Peace is our business... War is just a hobby. Current Tank Info: 110 planted, 75 & 125 Zoa, LPS, softies.

03/14/2006, 12:18 AM	#11
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	You'll lose some, but it's no HUGE deal __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

03/14/2006, 03:15 PM	#12
BrentN Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Kelso, WA Posts: 277	Adding eggcrate will decrease the quantity of light reaching the tank, but probably not by much. I would like to read calfo's post if anybody knows where it's at. Somebody with a light meter could end the confusion, but only light shining directly through the eggcrate will hit the tank with full intensity. __________________ -Gravity Powered, Air Cooled- Current Tank Info: 55 aga, 20 gal sump, 4x54 t-5, O.R. 3500 return, liter meter 3, msx 160

03/07/2006, 03:41 PM	#2
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	IMO...I would use the "chrome" version as long as it doesnt flake off...this way you at least get some reflection...would make for some interesting reflections on your substrate....

03/07/2006, 04:03 PM	#3
jony5 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 40	i ve done it before without problems

03/07/2006, 04:07 PM	#4
rbonick Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 156	I have fairy wrasses in my 75 gallon reef. I had to use eggcrate to prevent them from jumping out of the tank. There is ittle if any degradation of the amount of light. I keep mostly sps and have seen no change in colors or growth.

03/07/2006, 04:40 PM	#5
h20cooled Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 1,016	Yeah you will lose a little bit of light to the tank.

03/07/2006, 04:53 PM	#7
jony5 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 40	i dont think he will lose thatmuch

03/07/2006, 05:40 PM	#8
chad508 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: MB SC Posts: 1,402	the egg crate is designed to diffuse light. so yes you will loose some light.

03/13/2006, 10:49 PM	#9
Nickeleye Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 783	I just added egg crate to go over my 75g. The egg crate is about 6" under my dual 150w MH lights and 144w of actinic PCs. It did appear to reduce lighting some, but it was hardly noticable. Hopefully it'll keep my jumpers at bay. Oh yeah, I used the white kind since I had some laying around.

03/13/2006, 11:05 PM	#10
chrisc615 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Actually Calfo recommends it to increase light. There's a fat and a thin side to the eggcrate. Tapered side up will focus more of the light into the tank.