Tank Cover Question?

gcfiend · 08/31/2007, 10:33 AM

I have a 90 gallon with Stand and Canopy running MH.

Currently in setup phase.

Is it recommended that I place a tank cover (you know the glass kind that goes over the tank)?

My concerns are:

If I put one on will it raise the temp in my tank?

If I dont put one on, will I see an increase in fish sucide from the leapers?

I know there's probably pros and cons to both but was wondering what the group thought and how their tanks are setup.

Thanks in advance.

MalHavoc · 08/31/2007, 10:35 AM

Having a top can prevent fish jumping, yes. But you can put light diffusing egg crate on the tank instead, and still have an open top that way.

The glass cover will raise temperature be lowering evaporation, and it also reduces gas exchange which can result in a lower pH, which isn't great.

gcfiend · 08/31/2007, 11:46 AM

Will the eggcrate reduce the lighting in my tank? Will this effect coral growth? Or cast wierd shadow on the tank?

MalHavoc · 08/31/2007, 11:47 AM

"A little, yes" to all three questions.

Mavrk · 08/31/2007, 11:51 AM

Glass tank covers are evil.

Aquarist007 · 08/31/2007, 11:55 AM

how close is the canopy to the tank and how strong are the halides
---you might have the best of both worlds here---if there is room on either side of the canopy then just put the egg crate across there --it won't be blocking the halides and the canopy will cover the rest.

gcfiend · 08/31/2007, 12:25 PM

The canopy sits on top of the tank and my 2x250 MH and 2x115 VHO are mounted about 12 inches from the top of tank.

When you say cover either side of canopy, I'm not following.. You mean just cover the gaps in the back of canopy with eggcrate so the canopy acts as a closed lid?

Mel-E-Mel · 08/31/2007, 12:31 PM

heres a thread about screen covers you might be interested in.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Ive posted 2 sites that sell the screens on the bottom of page 1. much better than light diffusers imo....doesnt cut back any lighting at all.

r0bin · 08/31/2007, 12:45 PM

I use glass tops, never had a problem, works out great. I just make sure I open them during the day.

AZDesertRat · 08/31/2007, 01:28 PM

Make bookshelves out of the glass tops, thats about all they are good for. They block light, retain heat and reduce oxygen transfer all of which are bad. With a canopy jumpers should not be a problem. My MH are 8-9" off the surface and the VHOs are only 5" and I don't have any problems with splashing.

Aquarist007 · 08/31/2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gcfiend
The canopy sits on top of the tank and my 2x250 MH and 2x115 VHO are mounted about 12 inches from the top of tank.

When you say cover either side of canopy, I'm not following.. You mean just cover the gaps in the back of canopy with eggcrate so the canopy acts as a closed lid?

yes, where ever the canopy doesn't cover the water surface put a piece of egg crate. It' s not full proof but if a fish wants to carpet surf its propably going to hit the canopy and get knocked back in or the egg crate
You can over lap a bit--but you will still have open water under your halides.
I have a coral life canopy over my tank--about 8 inches from the surface--that's all I ever had---I have a large anthias that at the LFS store jumped over a tank twice while they were trying to catch him---never did in my tank.

Captain Bucket · 08/31/2007, 04:18 PM

Probably best to get a canopy, thats what I'm gonna do once I get the time and ambition to build it.

I've had jumpers make it through my eggcrate a couple of times. There are definitely issues with glass tops, but they can be mitigated if you are using a large uncovered sump or fuge.

AZDesertRat · 08/31/2007, 05:06 PM

I think capn is confusing a canopy with a light fixture. A canopy encloses the top on all or at least 3 sides, a fixture either sits up on legs, is suspended or sits on the glass covers.
I have a light fixture on my nano and a fully enclosed canopy on my 100G, I much prefer the canopy so light and glare do not fill the room.

Runfrumu · 08/31/2007, 05:07 PM

i like to hang my lights above the tank. I keep them about 10 inches up. If anything jumps out, well, he should have known better.

AZDesertRat · 08/31/2007, 05:19 PM

If you play nice soothing music and talk to them at night it should make them happy and they would want to stay in the tank! Ya think?

Aquarist007 · 08/31/2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
I think capn is confusing a canopy with a light fixture. A canopy encloses the top on all or at least 3 sides, a fixture either sits up on legs, is suspended or sits on the glass covers.
I have a light fixture on my nano and a fully enclosed canopy on my 100G, I much prefer the canopy so light and glare do not fill the room.

yeah--your right duh

I have both--a wooden canopy and the coral light fixture---believe it or not, I do know the difference

I owe you azdesertrat for being so diplomatic rollface:

but back to the suggestion---I have not had an issue with carpet surfers with both down--I suppose they could get out the back because its open
I did have a heat issue that I had to address with the canopy and the coral light fixture--twin 150 watt 10,000k's and 96watt attinics-------first I installed twin fans in the roof of the canopy by drilling two 4 inch holes in (I am glad my wife was not tall enough to notice).
When I was still not happy with the fluctuation I moved the ballasts to the basement under the tank room.
When I still was not happy I move the sump and fuge to the basement--that did it

I guess my point is that adding a glass cover would definetly add to problems in heat and air exchange.

gcfiend · 09/04/2007, 08:56 PM

Thanks for all the feed back. No glass cover. I going to cover the back side of the canopy with egg crate.

08/31/2007, 10:33 AM	#1
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Tank Cover Question? I have a 90 gallon with Stand and Canopy running MH. Currently in setup phase. Is it recommended that I place a tank cover (you know the glass kind that goes over the tank)? My concerns are: If I put one on will it raise the temp in my tank? If I dont put one on, will I see an increase in fish sucide from the leapers? I know there's probably pros and cons to both but was wondering what the group thought and how their tanks are setup. Thanks in advance. __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.

08/31/2007, 10:35 AM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	Having a top can prevent fish jumping, yes. But you can put light diffusing egg crate on the tank instead, and still have an open top that way. The glass cover will raise temperature be lowering evaporation, and it also reduces gas exchange which can result in a lower pH, which isn't great. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

08/31/2007, 11:46 AM	#3
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Will the eggcrate reduce the lighting in my tank? Will this effect coral growth? Or cast wierd shadow on the tank? __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.

08/31/2007, 11:47 AM	#4
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	"A little, yes" to all three questions. __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

08/31/2007, 11:55 AM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	how close is the canopy to the tank and how strong are the halides ---you might have the best of both worlds here---if there is room on either side of the canopy then just put the egg crate across there --it won't be blocking the halides and the canopy will cover the rest. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

08/31/2007, 11:51 AM	#5
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Glass tank covers are evil.

08/31/2007, 12:25 PM	#7
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	The canopy sits on top of the tank and my 2x250 MH and 2x115 VHO are mounted about 12 inches from the top of tank. When you say cover either side of canopy, I'm not following.. You mean just cover the gaps in the back of canopy with eggcrate so the canopy acts as a closed lid? __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.

08/31/2007, 12:31 PM	#8
Mel-E-Mel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Shark City San Jose, CA Posts: 1,950	heres a thread about screen covers you might be interested in. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1 Ive posted 2 sites that sell the screens on the bottom of page 1. much better than light diffusers imo....doesnt cut back any lighting at all.

08/31/2007, 12:45 PM	#9
r0bin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,132	I use glass tops, never had a problem, works out great. I just make sure I open them during the day. __________________ 125 gal. sumpless reef, Orange Ocellaris Clown, Yellow Tang, Flame Angel, Starry Blennie, Deltec MCE300, Kessil Lighting

08/31/2007, 01:28 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Make bookshelves out of the glass tops, thats about all they are good for. They block light, retain heat and reduce oxygen transfer all of which are bad. With a canopy jumpers should not be a problem. My MH are 8-9" off the surface and the VHOs are only 5" and I don't have any problems with splashing.

08/31/2007, 04:18 PM	#12
Captain Bucket Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Volcano in the Pacific Posts: 128	Probably best to get a canopy, thats what I'm gonna do once I get the time and ambition to build it. I've had jumpers make it through my eggcrate a couple of times. There are definitely issues with glass tops, but they can be mitigated if you are using a large uncovered sump or fuge. __________________ I has a bucket Current Tank Info: 125 gal. glass long, 55 gal fuge w/chaeto & LR, Frankenskimmer, Sequence Dart return, ghetto coast to coast overflow, Watts RO unit, 32 gal. QT w/eclipse hood, sponge filter and magnum 350

08/31/2007, 05:06 PM	#13
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I think capn is confusing a canopy with a light fixture. A canopy encloses the top on all or at least 3 sides, a fixture either sits up on legs, is suspended or sits on the glass covers. I have a light fixture on my nano and a fully enclosed canopy on my 100G, I much prefer the canopy so light and glare do not fill the room.

08/31/2007, 05:07 PM	#14
Runfrumu Hi Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,014	i like to hang my lights above the tank. I keep them about 10 inches up. If anything jumps out, well, he should have known better. __________________ Red Sea Max 130d and 125 gallon mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon oceanic tank, Lighthouse Pro XLS, 72" outer orbit fixture, H&S 150-F2000/1 skimmer, H&S 110 Calcium Reactor, Tunze 7096, 2 Tunze 6105's , Tunze Osmolator, Prime 1/4hp drop-in chiller. 5 years running. Red Sea Max, 3 years.

08/31/2007, 05:19 PM	#15
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	If you play nice soothing music and talk to them at night it should make them happy and they would want to stay in the tank! Ya think?

09/04/2007, 08:56 PM	#17
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Thanks for all the feed back. No glass cover. I going to cover the back side of the canopy with egg crate. __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.