Light cycle (duration) and water splashing on the lamps

I knocked my light cycle down from 17 hours to 11 hours once I started reading. My finger coral is looking like he isn't getting enough light. Because I have canopies, (with the inevitable salt buildup on the inside), a lot of my light doesn't penetrate. I know this, try to keep them clean, etc.

Couple of things here.. and just my experience. I think 17 hours is far too long of a light cycle and Id venture a guess is wasting electricity. Im of the opinion that its not necessarially the duration but the quality of light, and its intensity. when you say "canopies" I take it that has a store bought hood? Like a regular freshwater light/cover?

Ive never used those type of covers (like a built in Plexiglas) just for the reason your describing. I always liked "open" top where there is nothing between the light bulb and the water. This will allow full penetration of the light.

How much splash get on the bulb is determined by how far the bulb is above the water. You will get "some" but I just wipe the bulbs weekly and they only have a usable life span of 6 months anyway, so...

I am super-cautious about water and electricity. My front light is an oceanic and sits down low. I know I can't remove the front 1/2 of the glass canopy. But I do have oceanic covers, and I could remove the back half, which is under an elevated shop-lite with my actinic and a 50/50 I think. The shoplite is a standard $8.00 home depot, but it would be up above the water about 3 or 4 inches, and the entire back side of the light's thin white canopy is open to the air. My question is, do you think I dare remove the back section of the tank's glass canopy?

Well Im not sure on how you're returning the water. Using my method ;-) the water gets returned to the bottom of the tank (spray bar) so there is really minimal splashing on the surface. I also run a 10 gallon wave maker that discharges every 15 minutes, this does produce some splashing... but I still have no cover on the tank.

I know it would increase my evaporation, which would be a good thing. And some of that evaporation would doubtless make an airborne contact with the light fixture. If I do this, is there a way I can protect the "fire-hazard" portions of the light (I assume, the ends where the bulbs make contact)?

If you have a GFI and hopefully a fan the evaporation isn't an issue, and as far as being a fire hazard... I seriously doubt it. THe GFI is to protect *you* from getting shocked. Id say in the worse case with water and electricity.. a circuit beaker on the house would trip

I do have to consider what changes to make to intensify the light to this coral. (I have a bottle of limeaway that may take off the film on the glass canopy, but I hate to use the stuff.)

Have you tried plain white vinegar? Soak a rag with vinegar and lay it on the surface you want to clean. Leave it there for about 1/2 hour, scrub with either a rag or those green nylon scrubbies