Tank Cover...

[32Bit_Fish]

I top off my 20g tank everyday and I wonder if I can use a tank cover to minimize the evaporation.

But I want to know the disadvantages of having a tank cover. Something such as oxygen exchange in the water etc.

Do anyone use a tank cover?

Thanks

 

[Craig]

if you use a glass cover the heat could buildup and the saltcreep would block your lights

perhaps you shoudl consider setting up an ATO

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I will do some research on the ATO..

I also have a question about the oxygen in reef tank. There are a lot of bubble bursting in my Remora Protein Skimmer while it produces skimmate in the cup. Does the whole skimming process create oxygen in the water?

Thanks

 

[ming]

the skimming process helps in oxygenating the water. But having an open top helps even more.

 

[basiab]

I have a 10 gallon with a glass cover and 65w pc. The water stays between 78-80 and I add water about once a week. It is not a completely closed cover. It is the kind you buy with a hinge in the middle. I removed the hinge so I have two pieces and there is a small gap between the two in the middle. I removed the hinge because it blocks too much light. But the glass does end up with lots of salt which does block light. So it depends on what corals you have in the tank. I just have mushrooms and candy canes besides the fish so I wash off the glass once a week.

 

[bad coffee]

using a cover will reduce the oxygen exchange. But like you said you're fighting evaporation.

Get an ATO. One less thing I have to do EVERY day is better, IMO.

B

 

[qckwzrd]

on my 20 I have it half covered with a versa top. I keep the back open and the front closed. I have a few gobies (they like to jump) I have to top the tank once a week. when I had it fully covered I would wash the glass every week, I still wash my splash guard tho. I'm running 130 watt PCs

 

[32Bit_Fish]

on my 20 I have it half covered with a versa top. I keep the back open and the front closed. I have a few gobies (they like to jump) I have to top the tank once a week. when I had it fully covered I would wash the glass every week, I still wash my splash guard tho. I'm running 130 watt PCs

I have a 130w PC on my 20g too. You only top off once a week? How much water per top off? I top off very little amount of water every day, probably something around a quarter of gallon.. Maybe I dont need to top off so often.

 

[qckwzrd]

about a gallon a week. but I also do water changes every two weeks.

 

[autoponicz]

a gallon of water will bring your salinity a couple of notches higher.....
topping it off everyday is better IMO because it helps keep the salinity at a more stable rate......certain corals dont like salinity/temp fluctuating too much.....but it all depends on what you have in the tank.....i top off my 10G everyday.....i have a versa top cover with the black hinge taken out with 40 watts of PC lighting.....i basically just have softies and 1 clownfish
and i do need to clean the cover once a week....

i also would like to setup a ATO for the tank......right now i just have a aquaclear 110 modded into a fuge and a penguin mini for running a sponge and carbon once in a while

 

[qckwzrd]

I keep my hydrometer next too my tank. I test that about every other day. I may get an ATO system. I am running an Emperor 400 and a powerhead 301, I justed purchased the FLO rotated Deflector from fosterandsmith and its TRASH!!!

 

[Craig]

ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer

 

[32Bit_Fish]

I agree with Craig and I have a Refractometer. It is very easy to use and provides accurate result.

 

[qckwzrd]

That will be my next investment