To glass top or not to glass top

AdamMillerDO · 10/01/2011, 10:42 AM

I was just wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether or not to use glass tops on your display. I was initially using glass top to protect from some of the heat from my lights and to decrease some of the evaporation. Now I've taken them off because they became encrusted with salt creep and decreased the amount of light transmission.

75 gal display with 30 gal sump/refugium. Running DIY overflow with 1200 gph return pump. New lighting fixture with 4 54watt actinic T5 HO and 2 250 watt MH lamps.

rtparty · 10/01/2011, 11:25 AM

No to glass tops. They inhibit gas exchange and like you said, they can block a lot of light without constant cleaning.

Daniel Reef · 10/01/2011, 12:26 PM

Once I rebuild my tank, I'm getting rid of the glass top. Too much hassle to clean it.

James77 · 10/01/2011, 12:39 PM

Use 1/4" or 1/2" mesh screen to keep animals in and out of your tank. It gives free gas exchange, light penetrtion, and cooling. You can buy it at bulkreefsupply, or HomeDepot or Lowes sometimes, my LFS carries it.

I may try going with a glass top this winter, but the cleaning part stinks. I am only considering it to help keep heat in as my house is kept on the cool isde.

AdamMillerDO · 10/01/2011, 02:21 PM

sweet, thanks guys. That's what I thought, just needed a little confirmation.

buckeyereefer1 · 10/01/2011, 05:05 PM

agree no glass tops !! there are several better options to keep livestock in the tank.

BonsaiNut · 10/01/2011, 06:35 PM

Glass tops = badness.

Even closed hoods = badness.

Keep an open top, or else vent your hood.

10/01/2011, 10:42 AM	#1
AdamMillerDO Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 14	To glass top or not to glass top I was just wondering if anyone has an opinion on whether or not to use glass tops on your display. I was initially using glass top to protect from some of the heat from my lights and to decrease some of the evaporation. Now I've taken them off because they became encrusted with salt creep and decreased the amount of light transmission. 75 gal display with 30 gal sump/refugium. Running DIY overflow with 1200 gph return pump. New lighting fixture with 4 54watt actinic T5 HO and 2 250 watt MH lamps.

10/01/2011, 11:25 AM	#2
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	No to glass tops. They inhibit gas exchange and like you said, they can block a lot of light without constant cleaning. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

10/01/2011, 12:26 PM	#3
Daniel Reef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 1,430	Once I rebuild my tank, I'm getting rid of the glass top. Too much hassle to clean it. __________________ Daniel Restarting my tank 90g 20g Life Reef sump 5ft Life Reef Skimmer See my album for pre-build tank pictures.

10/01/2011, 12:39 PM	#4
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Use 1/4" or 1/2" mesh screen to keep animals in and out of your tank. It gives free gas exchange, light penetrtion, and cooling. You can buy it at bulkreefsupply, or HomeDepot or Lowes sometimes, my LFS carries it. I may try going with a glass top this winter, but the cleaning part stinks. I am only considering it to help keep heat in as my house is kept on the cool isde. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

10/01/2011, 06:35 PM	#7
BonsaiNut Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4,629	Glass tops = badness. Even closed hoods = badness. Keep an open top, or else vent your hood. __________________ "You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!" - The Hobbit; J. R. R. Tolkien

10/01/2011, 02:21 PM	#5
AdamMillerDO Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 14	sweet, thanks guys. That's what I thought, just needed a little confirmation.

10/01/2011, 05:05 PM	#6
buckeyereefer1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 194	agree no glass tops !! there are several better options to keep livestock in the tank.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Want to take great top-down shots?	ctenophore	Avast Marine Works	7	12/31/2010 07:42 PM
MONSTER FOOTPRINT 140 gallon GLASS TANK WITH STAND AND GLASS TOPS $360 for all..	M0oN	Southern California Reefers	0	05/11/2009 06:15 PM
To glass top, or not to glass top...	scottkel	Nashville Area Reefers	10	10/02/2008 11:36 PM
top of tank egg/glass	reefaluva	New to the Hobby	18	03/11/2008 05:33 PM
top trim on 90 glass tank	bilabong1973	Do It Yourself	6	08/19/2007 08:31 PM