Glass top or NO top? What do yall think?

0HaleNo · 01/31/2012, 12:12 AM

I've read so much on both sides that I'm at a loss.
Keep it or take it off?
47g column mixed reef (30" deep)
250w MH 20,000K / surface fan timed w/ lights
params are great, temp stays 72-74
MH is 12" above water / 10" above glass
I DO have mad salt creep on glass top crease & edges
I DO have constant water hanging inside the glass (cut down on light?)
Does it hold heat IN or does it keep MH heat OFF the water?
I've been told both & have read both.
How about some expert advice to ease my mind please!

Toddrtrex · 01/31/2012, 12:21 AM

It will trap heat, and interfere with air exchange, I would remove it. All of my tanks are open -- they do have netting to keep my jumpers in.

0HaleNo · 01/31/2012, 01:09 AM

That's what I thought. Seems more likely it would hold the heat IN - then the LFS said to put glass back on for the MH due to the heat from the light. Started researching it & it was all over the place!
I was worried about the air exchange and the heat inside so I propped a surface fan funneled under the back fold of the glass. It's been fine for 6 mos but it just keeps bothering me.
I think I will take it off.
What kind of netting? I do have some jumpers!
thanks for the input

RubberFrog · 01/31/2012, 07:12 AM

1/4" netting in a standard window screen frame works great and is cheap to make.

BIG_KAHUNA · 01/31/2012, 07:44 AM

yup, ditch the glass lid. +1

lighthouze08 · 01/31/2012, 08:02 AM

i dont know anyone that has glass cover on their tank

vermonter310 · 01/31/2012, 08:06 AM

I do... I have the front half, the bow section, glass on. The back piece, rear of the plastic hinge removed. I don't particularly care for the screen look and the tank is in the LR so aesthetics are important...

redwingrob40 · 01/31/2012, 08:36 AM

You can make the screen top ones that are on BRS fairly easily and they are cheap. They look very nice and allow for evap and dont trap heat in, but will keep your fish in. BRS sells the clear 1/4" clear screen netting.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ing-7-x-3.html

These tops are great I would highly recommend you look at building some.

sirreal63 · 01/31/2012, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toddrtrex

It will trap heat, and interfere with air exchange, I would remove it. All of my tanks are open -- they do have netting to keep my jumpers in.

+1 (I don't have jumpers, so no netting but it is the best way if you do have jumpers.)

a.browning · 01/31/2012, 01:37 PM

I wouldn't use a glass top, and I don't know anyone that does. I would say that it traps heat in. If you're lowering evaporation by having glass tops, then you won't have as much evaporative cooling, thus more heat. You will get better light penetration without the glass and as you said, you won't get salt creep. There's really no benefit to them, other than keeping fish in, if you don't have a wood canopy.

0HaleNo · 01/31/2012, 01:52 PM

DONE - it's off! Had spare egg crate hanging around so hubby cut out a nice top for the jumpers!

THANKS ALL!

leeit2me · 01/31/2012, 02:35 PM

I had a glass top on my 60 cube. but the glass I had drilled 2" dia holes in it. drilled atelast 12 holes on a piece of glass. it work, but got alot of salt creep, so I swapped to the netting instead.

PAZE · 01/31/2012, 04:06 PM

What if your running LED? Heat is way less would you run glass lids then?

Allmost · 01/31/2012, 04:11 PM

glass/acrylic cover IMHO is for freshwater tanks.

in a reef tank or even FOWLR, we have WAY too many organisms on live rock and sand and ... that require oxygen, hence the greater need for gas exchange. I know, open sump and a skimmer can take care of it, but for me, the more the better/
I keep all my tanks, open top.

Dr Colliebreath · 01/31/2012, 05:45 PM

I always have had my glass top on the aquarium. It slows evaporation and keeps the fish in the tank, and I don't like the look of eggcrate or netting/ screen.

You say your temp stays at 72-74, so you don't have a trapped heat problem.

You get plenty of oxygen exchange with an open sump and skimmer.

It will be interesting to see whether your MH lights warm the water more than the evaporation cools it, thus producing an increase in tank temperature. Please let us know.

billdogg · 01/31/2012, 06:41 PM

I had a glass top over the entire tank (60g cube) for a long time ~ 15 years and thought it was fine. It broke a couple years ago so I diy'd a screen top - ABSOLUTELY one of the best (and least expensive) things I've ever done for it. Within just a couple days things looked better than they ever had before. I think it helped with a whole host of problems and will never have another covered tank.

JM.02

92reefer · 01/31/2012, 07:13 PM

Same here. Had a glass top on my 92 for years. One I ditched, many problems disappeared. Bad algae decreased, fish were much more active and tanks heat problems almost went completely away.

Megatrev62 · 02/01/2012, 11:27 AM

I have a glass top on my 90 gallon with only one issue. Salt creep. As far as I'm concerned the gas exchange does not present a problem,as there is lots of flow and the O2 created in the skimmer is sufficient. I'm thinking of getting a second glass top to keep interchanging when the creep gets too much. Jumpers can't get out either. I do not have a sump and ato, but when and if I do I will go with the netting as evaporation would not be such a pain.

sirreal63 · 02/01/2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I had a glass top over the entire tank (60g cube) for a long time ~ 15 years and thought it was fine. It broke a couple years ago so I diy'd a screen top - ABSOLUTELY one of the best (and least expensive) things I've ever done for it. Within just a couple days things looked better than they ever had before. I think it helped with a whole host of problems and will never have another covered tank.

JM.02

Bill, this is probably because of the extra light reaching the corals. A glass top will reduce the light to the tank, IIRC it can be significant, like 15% and that only gets worse as the tops become dirty. :-)

0HaleNo · 02/01/2012, 12:46 PM

I know I'm going to make all your jaws drop - but I don't have a sump, an ATO or a skimmer.

I have a fluval 305 canister (I know, I know), a HOB 400 biowheel & a 1200 pwrhd & lots of oxygen in the water.

I wish I had room for all the others but maybe one day. That's why I was so worried about exchange! With the glass on all that was exposed was the back inch or so where the lid leaned on the top of the surface fan I put on. But it worked!
Lids gone now - I do like this better without it too

mathusala · 02/01/2012, 02:20 PM

What about a mesh top? I have seen many people use those on their tanks and they seem to fit the bill.

01/31/2012, 12:12 AM	#1
0HaleNo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	Glass top or NO top? What do yall think? I've read so much on both sides that I'm at a loss. Keep it or take it off? 47g column mixed reef (30" deep) 250w MH 20,000K / surface fan timed w/ lights params are great, temp stays 72-74 MH is 12" above water / 10" above glass I DO have mad salt creep on glass top crease & edges I DO have constant water hanging inside the glass (cut down on light?) Does it hold heat IN or does it keep MH heat OFF the water? I've been told both & have read both. How about some expert advice to ease my mind please!

01/31/2012, 12:21 AM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	It will trap heat, and interfere with air exchange, I would remove it. All of my tanks are open -- they do have netting to keep my jumpers in. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

01/31/2012, 07:44 AM	#5
BIG_KAHUNA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 4.815 S 162.342 E Posts: 478	yup, ditch the glass lid. +1 __________________ Scott

01/31/2012, 08:02 AM	#6
lighthouze08 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: VA Posts: 843	i dont know anyone that has glass cover on their tank __________________ _____________

01/31/2012, 08:06 AM	#7
vermonter310 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 730	I do... I have the front half, the bow section, glass on. The back piece, rear of the plastic hinge removed. I don't particularly care for the screen look and the tank is in the LR so aesthetics are important... __________________ Pain is temporary….. ……It only hurts ‘till you die Current Tank Info: 72g BF,

01/31/2012, 01:09 AM	#3
0HaleNo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	That's what I thought. Seems more likely it would hold the heat IN - then the LFS said to put glass back on for the MH due to the heat from the light. Started researching it & it was all over the place! I was worried about the air exchange and the heat inside so I propped a surface fan funneled under the back fold of the glass. It's been fine for 6 mos but it just keeps bothering me. I think I will take it off. What kind of netting? I do have some jumpers! thanks for the input

01/31/2012, 07:12 AM	#4
RubberFrog Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 286	1/4" netting in a standard window screen frame works great and is cheap to make.

01/31/2012, 08:36 AM	#8
redwingrob40 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 264	You can make the screen top ones that are on BRS fairly easily and they are cheap. They look very nice and allow for evap and dont trap heat in, but will keep your fish in. BRS sells the clear 1/4" clear screen netting. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ing-7-x-3.html These tops are great I would highly recommend you look at building some.

01/31/2012, 01:37 PM	#10
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I wouldn't use a glass top, and I don't know anyone that does. I would say that it traps heat in. If you're lowering evaporation by having glass tops, then you won't have as much evaporative cooling, thus more heat. You will get better light penetration without the glass and as you said, you won't get salt creep. There's really no benefit to them, other than keeping fish in, if you don't have a wood canopy. __________________ 75 SPS, 80 & 45 Frag Tank, 40B Leather Tank

01/31/2012, 01:52 PM	#11
0HaleNo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	DONE - it's off! Had spare egg crate hanging around so hubby cut out a nice top for the jumpers! THANKS ALL!

01/31/2012, 02:35 PM	#12
leeit2me Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: bklyn,ny Posts: 241	I had a glass top on my 60 cube. but the glass I had drilled 2" dia holes in it. drilled atelast 12 holes on a piece of glass. it work, but got alot of salt creep, so I swapped to the netting instead.

01/31/2012, 04:06 PM	#13
PAZE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 224	What if your running LED? Heat is way less would you run glass lids then? __________________ Paul

01/31/2012, 04:11 PM	#14
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	glass/acrylic cover IMHO is for freshwater tanks. in a reef tank or even FOWLR, we have WAY too many organisms on live rock and sand and ... that require oxygen, hence the greater need for gas exchange. I know, open sump and a skimmer can take care of it, but for me, the more the better/ I keep all my tanks, open top.

01/31/2012, 05:45 PM	#15
Dr Colliebreath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC Vicinity Posts: 1,813	I always have had my glass top on the aquarium. It slows evaporation and keeps the fish in the tank, and I don't like the look of eggcrate or netting/ screen. You say your temp stays at 72-74, so you don't have a trapped heat problem. You get plenty of oxygen exchange with an open sump and skimmer. It will be interesting to see whether your MH lights warm the water more than the evaporation cools it, thus producing an increase in tank temperature. Please let us know. __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 110 Oceanic RR w/35 gal sump and SRO XP2000 int

01/31/2012, 06:41 PM	#16
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I had a glass top over the entire tank (60g cube) for a long time ~ 15 years and thought it was fine. It broke a couple years ago so I diy'd a screen top - ABSOLUTELY one of the best (and least expensive) things I've ever done for it. Within just a couple days things looked better than they ever had before. I think it helped with a whole host of problems and will never have another covered tank. JM.02 __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

01/31/2012, 07:13 PM	#17
92reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ellenton Florida Posts: 994	Same here. Had a glass top on my 92 for years. One I ditched, many problems disappeared. Bad algae decreased, fish were much more active and tanks heat problems almost went completely away.

02/01/2012, 11:27 AM	#18
Megatrev62 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ST.John's Newfoundland Canada Posts: 1,712	I have a glass top on my 90 gallon with only one issue. Salt creep. As far as I'm concerned the gas exchange does not present a problem,as there is lots of flow and the O2 created in the skimmer is sufficient. I'm thinking of getting a second glass top to keep interchanging when the creep gets too much. Jumpers can't get out either. I do not have a sump and ato, but when and if I do I will go with the netting as evaporation would not be such a pain. __________________ Please understand honey,it's not just me!!! Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, mixed reef,fuge.

02/01/2012, 12:46 PM	#20
0HaleNo Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 21	I know I'm going to make all your jaws drop - but I don't have a sump, an ATO or a skimmer. I have a fluval 305 canister (I know, I know), a HOB 400 biowheel & a 1200 pwrhd & lots of oxygen in the water. I wish I had room for all the others but maybe one day. That's why I was so worried about exchange! With the glass on all that was exposed was the back inch or so where the lid leaned on the top of the surface fan I put on. But it worked! Lids gone now - I do like this better without it too

02/01/2012, 02:20 PM	#21
mathusala Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 54	What about a mesh top? I have seen many people use those on their tanks and they seem to fit the bill.