What to cover tank with?

[Aquarianna7891]

Hi-

I am looking for the best cover for a reef tank. I plan to get some kind of wrasse in the near future, so I know this is necessary. Plus, I'd really like something that would help keep any small splashes of water from gettin g on my MH bulb. What would you suggest? I've heard alot about egg crate, but frankly I have no idea what this is.

Thanks in advance!!!!

Anna

 

[SPC]

Hi Anna, egg crate is used for florescent light covers usualy in drop ceiling applications. It can be found at any home improvement type store. The reason people use it over a reef tank is that it is efficient at keeping jumpers in the tank while allowing for good gas exchange and heat dissapation (the major problem with glass covers).
Steve

 

[Aquarianna7891]

Does it allow good light to come through? If I'm thinking of the right stuff, I remember it as being kinda "cloudy".

Where do they get the name eggcrate anyway???

 

[SPC]

Does it allow good light to come through? If I'm thinking of the right stuff, I remember it as being kinda "cloudy".

-Yes.

Where do they get the name eggcrate anyway???

-I have no idea :? .
Steve

 

[wade1]

Its not the opaque cover you are thinking of... its white and made of 1cm bands of plastic turned sideways and put together into a grid. If you look up at business ceilings, many times they will use these.

One word of caution... the halides will melt the eggcrate if its too near to the bulbs. I would not cover the tank itself, but rather any gaps (for example if you have a hood that covers all but the back, then cover the back). It won't stop splashing from hitting the halides, but it will stop fish from getting out of the tank.

Wade

 

[Aquarianna7891]

Ok, then what should I use to keep splashes off of the MH bulb? I've heard too many horror stories about them breaking due to this, and I'd rather prevent it!

 

[SPC]

Posted by Wade:

One word of caution... the halides will melt the eggcrate if its too near to the bulbs.

I missed the part about her running halides, wade is correct that they will melt this material.

Ok, then what should I use to keep splashes off of the MH bulb?

-I don't run halides Anna, sorry.
Steve

 

[Aquarianna7891]

Don't worry about it SPC! 8)

Anyone have any suggestions? I jsut can't seem to find the right combo for covering a tank w/out obstructing gas exchange, and having MH

 

[reefland]

IME, egg crate will not stop fish from jumping unless it's a larger fish. Your typical wrasse will figure it out in no time.

 

[reefland]

Anyone have any suggestions? I jsut can't seem to find the right combo for covering a tank w/out obstructing gas exchange, and having MH

Nylon screen used for wiindows might be worth trying. Don't know anyone who has used it though. I would think it would block lighting a bit. It should be cheap enough to try and see.

 

[esmithiii]

Ok, then what should I use to keep splashes off of the MH bulb? I've heard too many horror stories about them breaking due to this, and I'd rather prevent it!

How close are your bulbs to the water? Mine are 10" and they get small splashes all the time and do not break.

As for keeping fish in, do you have a canopy? If so, window screen material on the back of the canopy works well. I would not use a solid cover (glass or plexiglass) for three huge reasons: Heat, Gas exchange and Intensity loss (light).

The reason that egg-crate is called eg crate is that if it were bigger, you could use it to section off eggs. Here is a photo of some egg crate:

I took a piece out of the top to shield my overflows. Every couple of months a fish jumps in and it is a nightmare to get it out.

Ernie

 

[esmithiii]

Here are some pictures of my "Fish Fence" (Ernie's Fish Containment System or EFCS for short):

 

[SPC]

Looks good Ernie, ever have a fish jump into one of your fans ?
Steve

 

[esmithiii]

Not yet. They are covered well, so the fish would have to be gobie-sized or smaller.

Ernie