i have a suspended light over my 210(soon to be rest the tanks once stand is built) I do believe my light on the 210 is 6-8" away from the water surface, I dont use glass tops, i use "Egg crate" better known as the plastic grids over office flourescent lighting.

ONLY disadvantage i personally have with the hanging light is not being able to move it easily when i have to jump in and do a trim.

i dont have tops because they are more trouble then they are worth, they get filthy fast, gotta remove the entire top to do a good cleaning.


Benefits are they are up and out of the way ideally and leaves the top open to do work, most lights are as big as mine so i think my gripe is a 1:1000.