Cover

[Bulldog39]

I got a 40b and a current marine light. Question is what can I use for a cover that won't take away from my light but keep in water and crap out?

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[Rover88]

Originally Posted by Bulldog39

I got a 40b and a current marine light. Question is what can I use for a cover that won't take away from my light but keep in water and crap out?

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Egg crate; as its otherwise known a light diffuser.

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.e...000110881.html

Its comes in a huge sheet, and you just cut it to fit. Its not what its designed for, but its easy enough to do! I did it for my 30.

[Bulldog39]

Originally Posted by Rover88

Egg crate; as its otherwise known a light diffuser.

https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.e...000110881.html

Its comes in a huge sheet, and you just cut it to fit. Its not what its designed for, but its easy enough to do! I did it for my 30.

But that has holes. Thought good for frags but how does it keep water evaporation in?

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[Reefpuck]

I don't think you necessarily want to cover your tank completely. Evaporation is going to happen one way or another...but you need fresh air getting to your water surface to oxygenate the water...especially if you aren't running a sump.

You can use eggcrate as noted above to keep some "crap" out.

[Bulldog39]

No I am running a sump just have 6 dogs also and don't want hair in it.

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[Rover88]

Originally Posted by Bulldog39

No I am running a sump just have 6 dogs also and don't want hair in it.

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A diffuser (eggcrate) is designed to help improve lighting. There isn't much else to put over that won't take away SOME lighting. If you are protecting from dogs, get mesh screen maybe and put that over. But you aren't gonna stop all evaporation, not likely at least. :P Thats gonna happen. But mesh would keep hair out.

[sde1500]

They make glass covers for 40b.

[mcgyvr]

Anything you put between the light and the water will reduce the light some.. In general regular glass will allow roughly 90% of the light to pass through it (acrylic is usually ~92-93% of the light passes through it)..

And as hinted at "gas exchange" can be quite critical in an aquarium.. In a natural denitrification process.... ammonia gets converted to to nitrites to nitrates which is then broken down into essentially nitrogen gas and will bubble up and out of the water.. If you stop that you are essentially stopping complete export.. The water also needs to be oxygenated..which powerheads/skimmers,etc.. do
So don't fully seal the tank up but leaving some place for oxygen/nitrogen,etc.. to be exchanged from the tank into the rooms air,etc.. is important..

So.. use either glass or acrylic for the top but don't fully seal it..

If you have a sump or skimmer then you are better off as that will help oxygenate the water,etc.. too..
Personally IMO its best to not cover a tank and to simply deal with the evaporation.. Its what it is.. reducing it some is ok via a top but you won't stop it all and it actually provides cooling (evaporation helps to keep the water cool and remove heat from pumps,etc..) as well as gas exchange..

[billdogg]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Anything you put between the light and the water will reduce the light some.. In general regular glass will allow roughly 90% of the light to pass through it (acrylic is usually ~92-93% of the light passes through it)..

And as hinted at "gas exchange" can be quite critical in an aquarium.. In a natural denitrification process.... ammonia gets converted to to nitrites to nitrates which is then broken down into essentially nitrogen gas and will bubble up and out of the water.. If you stop that you are essentially stopping complete export.. The water also needs to be oxygenated..which powerheads/skimmers,etc.. do
So don't fully seal the tank up but leaving some place for oxygen/nitrogen,etc.. to be exchanged from the tank into the rooms air,etc.. is important..

So.. use either glass or acrylic for the top but don't fully seal it..

If you have a sump or skimmer then you are better off as that will help oxygenate the water,etc.. too..
Personally IMO its best to not cover a tank and to simply deal with the evaporation.. Its what it is.. reducing it some is ok via a top but you won't stop it all and it actually provides cooling (evaporation helps to keep the water cool and remove heat from pumps,etc..) as well as gas exchange..

Once again, ^^^This^^^

I would use either a DIY screen top using window screen frame and 1/4" or 1/8" mesh from BRS. Neither blocks an appreciable amount of light while still allowing for proper gas exchange. If you want fancy schmancy, take a look at the product from artfullyacrylic. A little spendy for my taste (and I like to DIY) but very nice.

Although "eggcrate" is often used, in reality it is one of the worst choices for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's holes are ~1/2". Fish aim for them and you will end up finding jumpers dried out on top. Secondly, "eggcrate" is properly referred to "Lighting Diffuser". Need I say more about that?

A solid glass or acrylic top would be my very last choice. Not only will it inhibit gas exchange, keeping it clean so that it doesn't block light is a PIA. I can say that with certainty because my old 60 cube had a glass top for almost 20 years. When it finally broke and I replaced it with a screen top, the tank that I thought all along was doing great came alive, almost overnight. I, for one, will never use a solid top again.



jm.02