Best tank cover besides glass?

notabun · 01/07/2009, 01:51 PM

I finally bought a hinged glass cover for my tank maybe 3 weeks ago but man does it get dirty fast. It definitely helps with evaporation but is almost not worth it when having to clean it every few days.

My main reason for getting it was to prevent fish from jumping out so are there any better options out there? It seems a lot of tanks I see in pictures go without a cover too. I definitely like the brightness of not having one on but I just got a purple firefish and I know they tend to be jumpers so it worried me. Other fish are a false percula and royal gramma atm.

surge19us · 01/07/2009, 02:27 PM

Glass isn't the best, because it inhibits gas exchange and can cause heat issues. If adding a new fish using it a day or three to inhibit jumping may be OK but then remove it. Fish can jump any time but most jump in the first couple of days after a new addition. And not necessarily the new one.

BradsOcean · 01/07/2009, 03:56 PM

You could cut some eggcrate to the shape of your tank and put it on top. Thats what i did...haven't had a fish jump since

kstallbe · 01/07/2009, 04:02 PM

Anybody ever use fiberglass door/window screening while successfully maintaining SPS?

woodiecrafts · 01/07/2009, 05:58 PM

I have seen some pictures in threads on here with screening used and the tops looks pretty good. I just can't remember who had them so you might have to do a search for it. Using that will help to keep the tank cool and not have the buildup either like the glass would.

EllieSuz · 01/07/2009, 06:11 PM

Use this:

http://www.watergarden.org/s.nl/it.A...category=43357

To make this:

It's done with a window screen kit from Home Depot or other home improvement store. I made mine in halves so I could just remove one at a time when feeding, etc. I've seen reefers with large tanks use bird netting which is cheaper, but they had to double it which looks a little weird IMO. Let me know if you have any questions. If I could do this, anybody can, believe me.

notabun · 01/09/2009, 09:14 AM

Awesome everyone, thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm going to investigate the netting one first. I did come across an old thread where someone did this but I wanted other opinions.

EllieSuz: so is there any loss of light after you've done this? Does it get salt build-up and how fast?

r-balljunkie · 01/09/2009, 09:20 AM

it is a PITA to put a screen on top of the tank. you have to lift up side for feeding, you lose light/par due to blockage.

do you have a canopy, or open top?

if canopy, i suggest you put mylar around the edges with thumb tacks, to block light in, as well as keep possibility of jumpers leaving the tank.

if you are open top, no canopy.....dont buy jumpers, or just deal with the cover-crate style!

do not reccomend glass tops, for sure.
c

notabun · 01/09/2009, 09:34 AM

I have a rimless open top right now (which I love) with a lighting kit on legs above it. I already bought the purple firefish so I either take my chance with it or take some preventative action. I was thinking of making a DIY canopy with an notched open top that the lighting fixture could rest inside, but I really do not like the look of canopies.

I want to know if the 1/4" netting will block out much light because that seems like the best option besides building a canopy.

EllieSuz · 01/09/2009, 10:55 AM

I haven't noticed any reduction in light. The mesh is very fine. I get a little salt creep, but I carry the top to the kitchen sink once in a while and spray it. That's another reason I like having the cover in two pieces. They are easy to manipulate. If you look at the photo above, I left a gap between the two covers where they rest on the brace. It makes it easier to get a hold of the cover when I need to remove one.

notabun · 01/09/2009, 11:00 AM

I think I'm going to start this net cover project. It should be cheap to put together so if I don't like it, not a huge loss.

Thanks EllieSuz!

TheOtherReefer · 01/09/2009, 11:26 AM

Look at page 4 of my thread below

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=4

Thanks EllieSuz

Juruense · 01/09/2009, 12:44 PM

Best cover is no cover.

anememoni · 01/09/2009, 12:51 PM

Aluminum mesh like the one use on windows. Just brace it on the edge.

Juruense · 01/09/2009, 01:39 PM

Aluminum? Hell no! Way to reactive of a metal to use. Matter of fact NO METAL is suitable... Fiberglass mesh or plastic mesh would be an acceptable choice if you want to impede the light from getting to the animals.

xJake · 01/09/2009, 01:44 PM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=817485

notabun · 01/09/2009, 01:52 PM

xJake, I like that clear mesh netting even better. Now, to find some.

01/07/2009, 01:51 PM	#1
notabun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MI Posts: 131	Best tank cover besides glass? I finally bought a hinged glass cover for my tank maybe 3 weeks ago but man does it get dirty fast. It definitely helps with evaporation but is almost not worth it when having to clean it every few days. My main reason for getting it was to prevent fish from jumping out so are there any better options out there? It seems a lot of tanks I see in pictures go without a cover too. I definitely like the brightness of not having one on but I just got a purple firefish and I know they tend to be jumpers so it worried me. Other fish are a false percula and royal gramma atm.

01/07/2009, 02:27 PM	#2
surge19us Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Willard, Oh Posts: 656	Glass isn't the best, because it inhibits gas exchange and can cause heat issues. If adding a new fish using it a day or three to inhibit jumping may be OK but then remove it. Fish can jump any time but most jump in the first couple of days after a new addition. And not necessarily the new one. __________________ Sean Current Tank Info: 120 gal 30 gal sump/fuge, ATB Econo 840 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40w, AC Jr., 2-250watt MH 20K Radiums, Lumen Max 2 reflectors, 2 tek T5 retro actinic, Prime chiller, ATO/kalk reactor, drews dosers on two part.

01/07/2009, 03:56 PM	#3
BradsOcean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Island Posts: 1,173	You could cut some eggcrate to the shape of your tank and put it on top. Thats what i did...haven't had a fish jump since __________________ the low cost of 3 Ramen meals a day is feeding my zoa addiction Current Tank Info: had a few small reefs in the past, researching for my future 125 :)

01/07/2009, 05:58 PM	#5
woodiecrafts Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 414	I have seen some pictures in threads on here with screening used and the tops looks pretty good. I just can't remember who had them so you might have to do a search for it. Using that will help to keep the tank cool and not have the buildup either like the glass would. __________________ Always remember, no matter where you go, there you are. "Buckaroo Banzai" Current Tank Info: 2-75 Gal Mixed Reefs / with T-5 Nova Extremes // 1-10 gal nano reef w/ PC's

01/07/2009, 06:11 PM	#6
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Use this: http://www.watergarden.org/s.nl/it.A...category=43357 To make this: It's done with a window screen kit from Home Depot or other home improvement store. I made mine in halves so I could just remove one at a time when feeding, etc. I've seen reefers with large tanks use bird netting which is cheaper, but they had to double it which looks a little weird IMO. Let me know if you have any questions. If I could do this, anybody can, believe me. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

01/07/2009, 04:02 PM	#4
kstallbe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Forest Hills, New York Posts: 275	Anybody ever use fiberglass door/window screening while successfully maintaining SPS?

01/09/2009, 09:14 AM	#7
notabun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MI Posts: 131	Awesome everyone, thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm going to investigate the netting one first. I did come across an old thread where someone did this but I wanted other opinions. EllieSuz: so is there any loss of light after you've done this? Does it get salt build-up and how fast?

01/09/2009, 09:20 AM	#8
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	it is a PITA to put a screen on top of the tank. you have to lift up side for feeding, you lose light/par due to blockage. do you have a canopy, or open top? if canopy, i suggest you put mylar around the edges with thumb tacks, to block light in, as well as keep possibility of jumpers leaving the tank. if you are open top, no canopy.....dont buy jumpers, or just deal with the cover-crate style! do not reccomend glass tops, for sure. c __________________ ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀ 58G Oceanic Illuminata rimless with GH overflow , Mazarra LED x 3, Tunze 6095 x 2, Eheim 1260, BM-180 skimmer, TLF reactors, Apex LT .

01/09/2009, 09:34 AM	#9
notabun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MI Posts: 131	I have a rimless open top right now (which I love) with a lighting kit on legs above it. I already bought the purple firefish so I either take my chance with it or take some preventative action. I was thinking of making a DIY canopy with an notched open top that the lighting fixture could rest inside, but I really do not like the look of canopies. I want to know if the 1/4" netting will block out much light because that seems like the best option besides building a canopy.

01/09/2009, 10:55 AM	#10
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	I haven't noticed any reduction in light. The mesh is very fine. I get a little salt creep, but I carry the top to the kitchen sink once in a while and spray it. That's another reason I like having the cover in two pieces. They are easy to manipulate. If you look at the photo above, I left a gap between the two covers where they rest on the brace. It makes it easier to get a hold of the cover when I need to remove one. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

01/09/2009, 11:00 AM	#11
notabun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MI Posts: 131	I think I'm going to start this net cover project. It should be cheap to put together so if I don't like it, not a huge loss. Thanks EllieSuz!

01/09/2009, 11:26 AM	#12
TheOtherReefer Pre-Internet Club Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 1,154	Look at page 4 of my thread below http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=4 Thanks EllieSuz __________________ When a man lies he murders some part of the world... Current Tank Info: Custom shallow (72"x24"x16") 100 gallon reef.

01/09/2009, 12:44 PM	#13
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Best cover is no cover.

01/09/2009, 12:51 PM	#14
anememoni Moved On Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lubbock Posts: 61	Aluminum mesh like the one use on windows. Just brace it on the edge.

01/09/2009, 01:39 PM	#15
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Aluminum? Hell no! Way to reactive of a metal to use. Matter of fact NO METAL is suitable... Fiberglass mesh or plastic mesh would be an acceptable choice if you want to impede the light from getting to the animals.

01/09/2009, 01:44 PM	#16
xJake Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,385	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=817485

01/09/2009, 01:52 PM	#17
notabun Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MI Posts: 131	xJake, I like that clear mesh netting even better. Now, to find some.