Salt/Water spots on Lights what can I do?

[steve1600cc]

I've been cleaning these every Week for fear of the Halides breaking,is this normal?
And then when cleaning I worry about the Salt falling into the Tank,obviously I catch as much as I can while using a Rag but some falls down...
http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa15/steve1600cc/PICT0187.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa15/steve1600cc/PICT0185.jpg

[latazyo]

is it salt creep or water spots or both?

my bulb is 10" off my water and I still have the occasional water spot on it, but never salt creep

[steve1600cc]

Both,never really Salt Creep on the Halides that's more Spots but the Tubes definitely get more Salt Creep on them...I suppose I have to much flow going on up there?When I Physically feel the Air I feel no Water?It's happening at some point though.

[Adam G]

I think it all comes down to amount of surface agitation and distance of lights from the surface. Move the lights up or reduce the water flow at the surfuce and it should help. Downside to less surface flow is less air exchnange at the surface and higher CO2 in the water as a result. This lowers PH and that can cause problems. Do you test for PH?

[David Grigor]

I suppose it can also happen at night from condensation if you hood isn't ventalated very well.......although that would be just water spots and no salt.

[steve1600cc]

I'm wondering if Overboard on all those Modded Powerheads?Have 5 1200 MJ's with sure flow things,if I aim down there goes the Sand if I go to high then Water,middle then to much on stuff.....I kinda go Crazy sometimes but somebody told me as long as the Fish can still Swim and except for the one Stuck to the Glass side they are all ok going in really fast Circles...LOL
Seriously my return through Oceon Motion is that 3000 Gallon Pump to...What should I do?

[morty]

I wouldn't think you'd need that much flow going through your sump, but if you cut the flow down then I guess it would sort of be a waste of the OM. Sounds like you have plenty of flow, some people say there's never too much (for sps tanks). If you're getting water spots it sounds like the water is occasionally spashing a little from the currents. Maybe trying to eliminate that would help?

[steve1600cc]

Yeah I suppose so,1st thought would be a clear cover of some kind for Lights,or else I just clean once a Week...

[spectrum]

They sell clear tubes form them at menards and HomeDepo, sorry donno the price.

[steve1600cc]

I think it all comes down to amount of surface agitation and distance of lights from the surface. Move the lights up or reduce the water flow at the surfuce and it should help. Downside to less surface flow is less air exchnange at the surface and higher CO2 in the water as a result. This lowers PH and that can cause problems. Do you test for PH?
I will be getting an ac jr at Meeting so after that yeah I will be correctly Monitoring my PH.

[Adam G]

I think as long as your PH continues to be stable you could lessen the flow at the surface and still be good. I like the covering the bulbs idea too. As long as your LPS are out and full then the more flow the better.