do you cover up your tank ??

[firestorm]

I'm thinking of upgrading from T8s to T5 or MH or a mixture of both.

I have a 1200mm/260l tank with a bowed front and an integrated lid and lights. Obviously this is not suitable for MH and its not really suited for even T8 as it is heating up the water significantly. Anyhow, my question is - Is it safe to go cover less ? I don't want to find any of my fish on the floor in the morning ....

Alternatively what material is suitable as a transparent lid that lets all the light through ?

Thanks

 

[ChrisRD]

If you cover the tank with glass/acrylic you'll probably end-up with an overheating problem since you'll have very little evaporation (therefore no evaporative cooling).

Generally people run reefs open-top or with a canopy. Some use the plastic eggcrate material to try to keep jumpers in (can be found in the lighting section of home improvment and hardware stores).

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I use a big canopy with an open back to help dissipate the heat, and cover the tank itself with the eggcrate stuff Chris is talking about. Works like a charm.

 

[rburn99]

I'm setting up a 90 with PC lights (4x 65watt) and was planning to use glass covers. The 50 gallon sump will be uncovered. Does this sound like it will work okay? Fish stay in the display. Sump allows evaporation.

 

[ChrisRD]

You can certainly start out that way and see how it goes. Just keep in mind that if temps become a problem and you need more cooling you might have to lose the glass covers.

 

[wade1]

And as far as light penetration, nothing allows it all through. If you keep the glass very clean (ie- rinsed off to keep and salt/dust off) it will allow plenty of light. It is a pain to keep up with though.

 

[LCGoldman]

I use a big canopy with an open back to help dissipate the heat, and cover the tank itself with the eggcrate stuff Chris is talking about. Works like a charm.

Can the eggcrate be used with MH's? And, if so, how far up do the bulbs have to be to prevent the eggcrate from melting?

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

I tried to run my tank with 440 watts of VHO and could not keep the temp down untill I took the glass off.

 

[Anonymous]

I have an open backed canopy and I stretched plastic gutter guard along the back and stapled it on.

 

[ChrisRD]

Can the eggcrate be used with MH's? And, if so, how far up do the bulbs have to be to prevent the eggcrate from melting?

IIRC I've had it as close as about 7"-8" from the lamps with no problems.

 

[wade1]

Just run some type of fan underneath the lights to void any excess heat and keep the plastic cooler.

I have a 7" destop fan blowing across my tank (its much quieter than the radio shack type).

 

[hillbilly]

I like tanks that are "topless". 8)

 

[Anonymous]

My tank is topless but I going crazy with all the evap I get.

 

[Anonymous]

Completely topless here. The corals love it!

 

[fishfanatic2]

Topless here, the only disadvantage to it is all the topoff and the carpet surf problem. I found that a cover was to cumbersome and it cut down on light entering the tank by 20%. It was alsoa PITA to keep clean, so I just have topless now.

 

[Anonymous]

Nope

 

[Anonymous]

Toppless for the reasons others have stated.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

One great thing about going topless is that you can see my T. crocea squirt water jet 20 inches up in the air... why my glass of wine tastes... salty?

 

[jandree22]

Can the eggcrate be used with MH's? And, if so, how far up do the bulbs have to be to prevent the eggcrate from melting?

IIRC I've had it as close as about 7"-8" from the lamps with no problems.

Doesn't this block light transmittance at all?

I'm probably going with MH pendants and egg crate would be helpful to keep fish in and the cat out. :wink:

 

[ChrisRD]

I've never measured it, but to me it appears to have a minor effect, although not enough to offset the benefits of keeping your fish alive IMO... :wink: