Air tight..

[aabiuso]

Say you have an all in one tank..or any tank for that matter and you put a full glass cover over it edge to edge front to back. Will this be cutting off an air supply you would need for life or will the power heads and pumps and what not still be aerating the water?

 

[edd]

you should leave it open to let gases escape and let air in.

 

[KathyC]

You should use a screen top, not a glass top. The carbon dioxide needs to escape and oxygen needs to be allowed in.

 

[aabiuso]

Alright that makes much sense thanks for the info guys

 

[masterswimmer]

You should use a screen top, not a glass top. The carbon dioxide needs to escape and oxygen needs to be allowed in.

+1

And lets add heat build up. With a completely covered tank, not only won't the heat be able to escape, but you won't have the benefit of evaporative cooling.

Like Kathy said a mesh top solves all your problems.

Russ

 

[aabiuso]

What about an acrylic top with holes drilled in it just so it's a clean look

 

[masterswimmer]

Have you seen Kathy's screen tops? If those aren't a clean look then nothing is. Besides, it is a much cleaner look than a piece of DIY perforated acrylic.

FYI, unless it is a very thick piece of acrylic, the heat and humidity will cause the acrylic to severely bend/sag and look horrible.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

Have you seen Kathy's screen tops? If those aren't a clean look then nothing is.

Oh, and no wise cracks to the above....I thought of the ramifications of Kathy and a screen top before any of you :idea:

R

 

[aabiuso]

Haha no wasn't think you were trying to be wise..but no I haven't seen her screen tops and the acrylic would be 1/4"

 

[albano]

and the acrylic would be 1/4"

It will warp!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Been using the glass top for a long time! I better take it off!

 

[aabiuso]

It will warp!

Even with LEDs? Around 8 inches above the tank with a fan on the heatsink..I know they do get hot but that hot?

 

[albano]

Even with LEDs? Around 8 inches above the tank with a fan on the heatsink..I know they do get hot but that hot?

forget the heat and humidity...they'll start to bend/warp from their own weight...
BTW...is it cast acrylic or the 'cheap' plastic sheets from 'home depot'?

 

[aabiuso]

Cast acrylic..not cheap crap but i wanna put it ontop of a 14 biocube because I don't have a hood for it and am making a led fixture to hang above it I just want to have a cover for it because I don't want the water to evaporate so quickly

 

[masterswimmer]

Cast acrylic..not cheap crap but i wanna put it ontop of a 14 biocube because I don't have a hood for it and am making a led fixture to hang above it I just want to have a cover for it because I don't want the water to evaporate so quickly

What I don't see you understanding is that everyone here is specifically saying that you DO want the evaporation. It is beneficial and very helpful to your tank. Why don't you want your water to evaporate?

Russ

 

[Gracias]

Where do you get the mesh? also, do you need to than protect the diy leds with acrylic sheet below the stars?