Suspension lights

[lovebuzz]

Are they just for better presentation? Or do they affect plant growth in any way?

 

[Silly me]

florecent light does not grow plants aswell as MH lights which is normaly suspended above the tank as they get very very hot..

most of the light even if they are not HM that is suspended is due to heat.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

suspended lights ?! well for me i like it better especially if the tank is low since your top is open and you can view your tank from above

 

[Nisha]

Yup, the lights are usually suspended because of the heat they produce.
The positive thing about it is that you can have your plants growing above the water level and many will flower above the waterline. It can look very beautiful.

 

[Lateral Line]

Conversly, many fish jump, and an uncovered tank can lead to lost fish.

 

[Yenko]

I've seen a lot of setups with MH or suspended flourescent lighting, where the cover material covered the entire tank except for where there was heavy emergent growth. Fish are less likely to jump there; I don't know wether the plant stalks and leaves simply provide a physical barrier, they calm the fish enough to prevent jumping, or fish instinctually avoid jumping when they aren't in open water. The small constrained hole the plants must grow through also gives an appearence of growth literally spilling out of the tank, which is really something to see.