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glass tops
- Thread starter bigdog
- Start date
Jsilva1880
Non-member
I just took mine off and a fish jumped out that same day
mr.gaboozlebag
Non-member
Did it take anyone else a minute to understand that?
I have a glass top with t5 lights without heat issues.
I have a glass top with t5 lights without heat issues.
gavinrobinson
Gavin
I've got a glass canopy on my tank. It prevents a lot of the evaporation, and also stops my light from getting damaged from the evaporation. I decided to try taking it off for a week not too long ago, and the evaporation was so much faster.
I see benefits and negatives to having it:
Benefits - Prevents your lights from evaporation, and prevents frequent top offs
Negative - If dirty, it may start to decrease light to the tank. To what effect, I can't say, as I don't have many corals that require high amounts
That's just my experience with having it, and I still continue to use it.
I see benefits and negatives to having it:
Benefits - Prevents your lights from evaporation, and prevents frequent top offs
Negative - If dirty, it may start to decrease light to the tank. To what effect, I can't say, as I don't have many corals that require high amounts
That's just my experience with having it, and I still continue to use it.
biggyclops
Senior Meatologist
IMO no glass.. use egg crate from HD if there is a fear of suicidal fish (or put them on suicide watch).. there is an increase in evaporation but then again there is greater gas exchange.. use a auto top off for the evaporation.. the first time u use it you will wonder what you did without it!
Miller
Non-member
I second the auto top off suggestion, it is awful nice to have have to add water to the tank daily.
clowninout456
Non-member
personally i go w/o glass top. a fish may jump here and there(hopefully not)but its such a pain with one on.
NateHanson
Non-member
I definitely think no glass. IMO having lots of evaporation is a great thing, because it allows you to add more kalkwasser, which is a great, easy, cheap way to supplement ca and alk. I think the light transmission is a big issue. Unless you clean a glass cover daily, it's probably blocking some light. Condensation builds up on it, and that scatters the light too. Plus glass is not 100% transparent. It reflects some light - a lot of light at low angles, so the ends of your tank will not get as much light.
For most reef tanks, the bottom line is heat, because most tanks will overheat with intense lighting and a cover. If you are using a cover, make sure you are paying close attention to your temp on the first warm days of spring, because that's when it might cook the tank.
For most reef tanks, the bottom line is heat, because most tanks will overheat with intense lighting and a cover. If you are using a cover, make sure you are paying close attention to your temp on the first warm days of spring, because that's when it might cook the tank.
NateHanson
Non-member
Paula had the best solution to jumpers that I've ever seen. She got some monofilament netting material somewhere online, with about 1/2" squares (like egg-crate, but nearly invisible). She used make-your-own screen frames from Home Depot to make 2 covers that fit perfectly in the recessed areas on either side of her tank brace. It was beautiful. All the elegance of an open top tank, with none of the jumpers.
madisonrose
Non-member
i like going topless. no salt creep that blocks light, and no mess to cleanup
if you have a fear of jumping fish i have heard of putting window screen across the top, or egg crate works ok to.
if you have a fear of jumping fish i have heard of putting window screen across the top, or egg crate works ok to.
clowninout456
Non-member
egg crate is not all that appealing. bigdog, you have a canopy that is closed on 3 sides and open in the back right? you should rig up an electric fence along the back so if the fish do try to jump out there, i dont think theyll ever make it to the floor....might smell a little fishy though.hahaha
KRod
Formerly Known as Scuba Kid
I love going topless as well! Oh wait...Are we still talking about reef tanks? 
Right now I have versa-tops on my 150 setup, but once I start finalizing this on-going project, I think I might go without them. Right now, they're there for evaporation and to prevent loss of fish, though.
Right now I have versa-tops on my 150 setup, but once I start finalizing this on-going project, I think I might go without them. Right now, they're there for evaporation and to prevent loss of fish, though.
