egg-crate top

mstump · 02/22/2006, 03:14 PM

This is a follow-up on if people use glass tops,egg-crate, or no top.

What is the pros and cons for using the egg crates? I worry about water splashing up and busting the flouresent bulbs and with house hold dust getting in the tank.

When I do my weekly tank clean-up it seems there is always dust on top of my glass top.

artful-dodger · 02/22/2006, 03:25 PM

"egg-crate" (light diffuser panels) will block less light than the glass tops, still prevent most fish from making the jerky flight and allow better evaporative cooling (if that's important for your tank). I personally find those attributes more important than the bit of household dust that ends up in the water.

I've never had a bulb break from splashing...my retro PC bulbs are about 6 or 7 inches from the water surface, but I lift them and the hinged top out of the way whenever I'm doing anything that might splash.

DMK · 02/22/2006, 03:28 PM

egg crate blocks little light and mostly prevents fish from jumping. it also slightly heats tank water more. it's good for acclimating new corals and fish too. these are the only times i use it.

02/22/2006, 03:14 PM	#1
mstump Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: west virginia Posts: 57	egg-crate top This is a follow-up on if people use glass tops,egg-crate, or no top. What is the pros and cons for using the egg crates? I worry about water splashing up and busting the flouresent bulbs and with house hold dust getting in the tank. When I do my weekly tank clean-up it seems there is always dust on top of my glass top.

02/22/2006, 03:25 PM	#2
artful-dodger Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado Posts: 3,011	"egg-crate" (light diffuser panels) will block less light than the glass tops, still prevent most fish from making the jerky flight and allow better evaporative cooling (if that's important for your tank). I personally find those attributes more important than the bit of household dust that ends up in the water. I've never had a bulb break from splashing...my retro PC bulbs are about 6 or 7 inches from the water surface, but I lift them and the hinged top out of the way whenever I'm doing anything that might splash. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -- Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: 140g RR Oceanic "Ultimate" mixed reef, 37g softies, 40g RBTA tank, 65g FOWLR, 40g breeder frag, and (of course) a 29g QT! ...next up is a 240g! (Gotta go to K-Mart and buy a life...)

02/22/2006, 03:28 PM	#3
DMK Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central NJ Posts: 2,494	egg crate blocks little light and mostly prevents fish from jumping. it also slightly heats tank water more. it's good for acclimating new corals and fish too. these are the only times i use it.