Why go topless?

WDWDen · 07/23/2007, 02:00 PM

I am wondering what the benefits of not useing a lid on your tanks are. I keep them on my 180 fowlr. I worry about evaporation problems without the lid. Also, I don't worry about anything falling in there or anything jumping out of there. Is it b/c of the light that people don't use lids?

Mark75 · 07/23/2007, 02:02 PM

gas exchange and lighting, egg crate keeps the inmates under lock and key.

WDWDen · 07/23/2007, 02:10 PM

gas exchange? is that for reef tanks only? I would like some more info on that if you could.

I like the egg crate idea!!

marduc · 07/23/2007, 02:11 PM

also temperature control, evaporation and the cooling it provides is a remedy for this larger problem.

Evaporation is not a problem.. it is a friend.

marduc · 07/23/2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WDWDen
gas exchange? is that for reef tanks only? I would like some more info on that if you could.

I like the egg crate idea!!

gas exchange is for all tanks.. non photosynthetic organisms in general need oxygen, removing it from the water. Carbon dioxide is used by the photosynthetic organisms, and also plays a major role in the ph of our tanks (high CO2 = lower PH, low Co2 = higher PH).

without gas exchange of some sort our tanks will become stagnant cesspools of death. so more gas exchange is always welcome

Grins · 07/23/2007, 02:44 PM

Temp control, gas exchange...with the MHs the tank would boil without fans and an open lid.

WDWDen · 07/23/2007, 02:55 PM

Ok, thanks for the replies.

My concern for evap was in regards to my walls and ceilings. You don't get any moisture build up and salt on the walls? My tank is in the basement with exposed floor joices above it. It is an inwall tank in a laundry room. I did put a peice of moisture resistent sheet rock above it though.

oct2274 · 07/23/2007, 03:15 PM

mmmmmmm, i love topless..........wait, what are we talking about? :P Anyways, gas exchange and temperature control are the two biggest factors.

balmiesgirl · 07/23/2007, 03:20 PM

I have been afraid of open top for fear things.....say hacky sacks....would end up in the tank. Wouldn't eggcrate cut down on the amount of light in my tank?

papagimp · 07/23/2007, 03:21 PM

I've never used a lid on any of my tanks and have yet to notice any water damage, evap damage, or saltcreep on anythign but the stand. Never on the walls.

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 03:27 PM

I use eggcrate on my tank. Eggcrate can cut down on some light, just make sure you have it placed properly. I believe one side is thicker than the other. Eggcrate works for the most part to keep fish in the tank, however, I have lost fish that jumped thru the holes in the eggcrate. I would choose eggcrate over glass tops.

07/23/2007, 02:00 PM	#1
WDWDen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 243	Why go topless? I am wondering what the benefits of not useing a lid on your tanks are. I keep them on my 180 fowlr. I worry about evaporation problems without the lid. Also, I don't worry about anything falling in there or anything jumping out of there. Is it b/c of the light that people don't use lids?

07/23/2007, 02:44 PM	#6
Grins Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 735	Temp control, gas exchange...with the MHs the tank would boil without fans and an open lid. __________________ R.A.S.O.C. : Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte Current Tank Info: 55g mixed reef

07/23/2007, 03:20 PM	#9
balmiesgirl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: southern Utah Posts: 183	I have been afraid of open top for fear things.....say hacky sacks....would end up in the tank. Wouldn't eggcrate cut down on the amount of light in my tank? __________________ It's not a hobby....IT's an ADDICTION!!!! Current Tank Info: 12 g nano and 120 tall reef set up w/ 20 g refugium , pair of clowns, 3 chromis, radiant wrasse, arc eye hawk and a coral beauty angel.4139 gph flow. Big BIO load so WEEKLY 20 gal. + water changes

07/23/2007, 03:21 PM	#10
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I've never used a lid on any of my tanks and have yet to notice any water damage, evap damage, or saltcreep on anythign but the stand. Never on the walls. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

07/23/2007, 03:27 PM	#11
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	I use eggcrate on my tank. Eggcrate can cut down on some light, just make sure you have it placed properly. I believe one side is thicker than the other. Eggcrate works for the most part to keep fish in the tank, however, I have lost fish that jumped thru the holes in the eggcrate. I would choose eggcrate over glass tops. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/23/2007, 02:02 PM	#2
Mark75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: East Tenn. Posts: 740	gas exchange and lighting, egg crate keeps the inmates under lock and key.

07/23/2007, 02:10 PM	#3
WDWDen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 243	gas exchange? is that for reef tanks only? I would like some more info on that if you could. I like the egg crate idea!!

07/23/2007, 02:11 PM	#4
marduc Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Tampa, Fl. Posts: 780	also temperature control, evaporation and the cooling it provides is a remedy for this larger problem. Evaporation is not a problem.. it is a friend.

07/23/2007, 02:55 PM	#7
WDWDen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 243	Ok, thanks for the replies. My concern for evap was in regards to my walls and ceilings. You don't get any moisture build up and salt on the walls? My tank is in the basement with exposed floor joices above it. It is an inwall tank in a laundry room. I did put a peice of moisture resistent sheet rock above it though.

07/23/2007, 03:15 PM	#8
oct2274 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,347	mmmmmmm, i love topless..........wait, what are we talking about? :P Anyways, gas exchange and temperature control are the two biggest factors.