Do I use the top glass of the Aquarium?

ncjetskier · 01/30/2009, 02:46 PM

I have a 75 gal aquarium with 2 250 watt metal halides with two four inch cooling fans as part of the enclosed top. Should I use the glass that covers the aquarium or will this reduce my light intensity? I plan on adding some different type of corals. Thanks

Fish_wiz2 · 01/30/2009, 03:09 PM

I wouldn't use it because it promotes better gas exchange, lets more lights in, requires less cleaning

, etc.

ncjetskier · 01/30/2009, 03:25 PM

Thanks Fish Wiz2. I have on other question, why do people rinsen and run a protein skimmer in viniger before they use it when it is brand new??? Thanks,

BradsOcean · 01/30/2009, 03:25 PM

i wouldn't use it either. It prevents the gas exchange, lowers the intensity of the light, and you'll have to be scraping algae and salt creep off it every couple days. It will be a pain in the butt

BradsOcean · 01/30/2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ncjetskier
Thanks Fish Wiz2. I have on other question, why do people rinsen and run a protein skimmer in viniger before they use it when it is brand new??? Thanks,

I never did that

BradsOcean · 01/30/2009, 03:27 PM

i just realized i said basically the same thing as fishwiz...maybe i should read other answers before i post

ncjetskier · 01/30/2009, 03:30 PM

Yeah, I thought it was strange, but I read several times in posts how people give their new skimmer a vinegar bath before using the skimmer. Maybe it has to do with using a mesh wheel instead of a needlewheel, I don't know?

IslandCrow · 01/30/2009, 03:36 PM

Are those single ended or double ended halides? I can never remember if I have this backwards, but I believe the single-ended metal halides (it's whichever ones are made using quartz instead of glass) need glass or some other type of UV filter between them and the tank. The glass itself (as long as it's clean) won't significantly reduce light output, but as FishWiz and BradsOcean stated, a covered tank will limit gas exchange, and you'll probably end up having problems with heat buildup and/or low PH. The best thing to do if you do need something to filter UV is gt something to place up near the bulb instead of using the glass tank cover.

As for washing a new protein skimmer with vinegar, I'd imagine that's because even though it's new, you don't know for sure that it didn't get exposed to any chemicals between production and making its way to you. It's certainly not a bad practice.

billdogg · 01/30/2009, 03:44 PM

if it is the glass that is a part of the light itself, then yes, you should use it (uv protection, splash guard, etc) if it is the glass aquarium top, then, because you have a canopy, there is no need. Some people (including myself) use a glass top on their tank if there is no canopy - prevents jumpers. The downside to a glass top is, as mentioned above, poor gas exchange, trapping of heat, gets dirty, etc. If you are still worried about jumpers, then you can use eggcrate ,or there is somewhere on this site a thread about a mesh top. either would work well.

billdogg · 01/30/2009, 03:46 PM

forgot - as far as washing the skimmer - they often use a release agent (oil?) to get the parts out of the molds - not something you would want to intorduce to your tank! I tend to give any new item a good rinse just to be sure.

Peter Eichler · 01/30/2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ncjetskier
Thanks Fish Wiz2. I have on other question, why do people rinsen and run a protein skimmer in viniger before they use it when it is brand new??? Thanks,

It allows the skimmer to start working from the start rather than waiting for it to "break in". Often oils and chemicals from the manufacturing process will keep a skimmer from producing proper foam the first four or five days.

jvr1102 · 01/30/2009, 05:51 PM

I used glass tops for the first 1.5 years and about a month ago I decided to go with egg crate. I cut it perfect to fit on top and cut the middle out to have direct light come in. After about a week my bulbs were nasty with salt and had to be wiped off. I also had 3 gallons a day almost evaporate. I decided to go back to glass until I come up with something else. I just leave the tops open during the day and wash the glass every week or so

01/30/2009, 02:46 PM	#1
ncjetskier Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 74	Do I use the top glass of the Aquarium? I have a 75 gal aquarium with 2 250 watt metal halides with two four inch cooling fans as part of the enclosed top. Should I use the glass that covers the aquarium or will this reduce my light intensity? I plan on adding some different type of corals. Thanks

01/30/2009, 03:09 PM	#2
Fish_wiz2 Mangroves are kool. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 5,246	I wouldn't use it because it promotes better gas exchange, lets more lights in, requires less cleaning , etc. __________________ -The Wiz Current Tank Info: Elos Mini Seahorse Tank, 2500 gallon Koi pond

01/30/2009, 03:25 PM	#4
BradsOcean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Island Posts: 1,173	i wouldn't use it either. It prevents the gas exchange, lowers the intensity of the light, and you'll have to be scraping algae and salt creep off it every couple days. It will be a pain in the butt __________________ the low cost of 3 Ramen meals a day is feeding my zoa addiction Current Tank Info: had a few small reefs in the past, researching for my future 125 :)

01/30/2009, 03:27 PM	#6
BradsOcean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Island Posts: 1,173	i just realized i said basically the same thing as fishwiz...maybe i should read other answers before i post __________________ the low cost of 3 Ramen meals a day is feeding my zoa addiction Current Tank Info: had a few small reefs in the past, researching for my future 125 :)

01/30/2009, 03:36 PM	#8
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Are those single ended or double ended halides? I can never remember if I have this backwards, but I believe the single-ended metal halides (it's whichever ones are made using quartz instead of glass) need glass or some other type of UV filter between them and the tank. The glass itself (as long as it's clean) won't significantly reduce light output, but as FishWiz and BradsOcean stated, a covered tank will limit gas exchange, and you'll probably end up having problems with heat buildup and/or low PH. The best thing to do if you do need something to filter UV is gt something to place up near the bulb instead of using the glass tank cover. As for washing a new protein skimmer with vinegar, I'd imagine that's because even though it's new, you don't know for sure that it didn't get exposed to any chemicals between production and making its way to you. It's certainly not a bad practice. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

01/30/2009, 03:30 PM	#7
ncjetskier Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 74	Yeah, I thought it was strange, but I read several times in posts how people give their new skimmer a vinegar bath before using the skimmer. Maybe it has to do with using a mesh wheel instead of a needlewheel, I don't know?

01/30/2009, 03:44 PM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	if it is the glass that is a part of the light itself, then yes, you should use it (uv protection, splash guard, etc) if it is the glass aquarium top, then, because you have a canopy, there is no need. Some people (including myself) use a glass top on their tank if there is no canopy - prevents jumpers. The downside to a glass top is, as mentioned above, poor gas exchange, trapping of heat, gets dirty, etc. If you are still worried about jumpers, then you can use eggcrate ,or there is somewhere on this site a thread about a mesh top. either would work well. __________________ 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

01/30/2009, 03:46 PM	#10
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	forgot - as far as washing the skimmer - they often use a release agent (oil?) to get the parts out of the molds - not something you would want to intorduce to your tank! I tend to give any new item a good rinse just to be sure. __________________ 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

01/30/2009, 05:51 PM	#12
jvr1102 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 521	I used glass tops for the first 1.5 years and about a month ago I decided to go with egg crate. I cut it perfect to fit on top and cut the middle out to have direct light come in. After about a week my bulbs were nasty with salt and had to be wiped off. I also had 3 gallons a day almost evaporate. I decided to go back to glass until I come up with something else. I just leave the tops open during the day and wash the glass every week or so