glass top

jpa0741 · 03/11/2006, 11:50 AM

Would a glass top on a tank cause high nitrates, by not letting gases to exchange? Just wondering.

Thansk,Jeff

szwab · 03/11/2006, 02:30 PM

in a way yes it would not allow for proper gas exchange. but i do not think that in itself would create a nitrate problem.

bearpeidog · 03/11/2006, 08:01 PM

Do you have a sump? If you do I don't think the glass tops have much impact. There would be plenty of gas exchange happening in the overflows and sump.

ACBlinky · 03/11/2006, 08:49 PM

Same goes if you have a skimmer on the tank, no need to worry about gas exchange.
NO3 buildup wouldn't occur from lack of gas exchange AFAIK if there was a problem directly related to keeping a glass top on the tank it would be a lack of O2/overabundance of CO2.

piranhaking · 03/11/2006, 09:16 PM

In my oppinion the main problem with having a glass top is heat. Having a glass top traps alot of heat in your tank. About 4 degrees in my case, and i only run normal output florucent lights. If you have a sump that wouldnt be as big an issue, but with out a sump i be willing to bet that you will have some heat issues. Also glass filters the light to some extent, and any saltcreep that forms on the glass would block light. I ditched my glass top for eggcrate. I have to top off more, but atleast my tank its running at 85-86 degrees anymore.

03/11/2006, 11:50 AM	#1
jpa0741 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,392	glass top Would a glass top on a tank cause high nitrates, by not letting gases to exchange? Just wondering. Thansk,Jeff

03/11/2006, 02:30 PM	#2
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	in a way yes it would not allow for proper gas exchange. but i do not think that in itself would create a nitrate problem. __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

03/11/2006, 08:49 PM	#4
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Same goes if you have a skimmer on the tank, no need to worry about gas exchange. NO3 buildup wouldn't occur from lack of gas exchange AFAIK if there was a problem directly related to keeping a glass top on the tank it would be a lack of O2/overabundance of CO2. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

03/11/2006, 08:01 PM	#3
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	Do you have a sump? If you do I don't think the glass tops have much impact. There would be plenty of gas exchange happening in the overflows and sump.

03/11/2006, 09:16 PM	#5
piranhaking Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 321	In my oppinion the main problem with having a glass top is heat. Having a glass top traps alot of heat in your tank. About 4 degrees in my case, and i only run normal output florucent lights. If you have a sump that wouldnt be as big an issue, but with out a sump i be willing to bet that you will have some heat issues. Also glass filters the light to some extent, and any saltcreep that forms on the glass would block light. I ditched my glass top for eggcrate. I have to top off more, but atleast my tank its running at 85-86 degrees anymore.