Thoughts on going topless

ryanjharter · 03/29/2009, 06:11 PM

I just bought a JBJ 70W HQI clamp on MH lamp (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...HCO~tab~0.html) for my tank and was thinking of going topless.

Is anyone else doing this? Right now I only have two Ocalleris Clowns, but bought the lamp so I could get into corals and zoas. I should assume this will limit my livestock choice to non-jumping fish, any thoughts?

My tank is just a 20 gallon high.

ryanjharter · 03/29/2009, 06:12 PM

Sorry, it trimmed my link and it got a little messed up.

Marine Depot JBJ HQI 70W MH Lamp

shaginwagon13 · 03/29/2009, 06:23 PM

Neither of the links worked for me....

loosecannon · 03/29/2009, 06:24 PM

I have the tops of my tanks. better light,and gas exchange.

ryanjharter · 03/29/2009, 06:26 PM

Marine Depot JBJ HQI 70W

Perhaps this one will work a little better.

PRDubois · 03/29/2009, 06:26 PM

Most salt water tanks do not use tops. Gas exchange is important

dahc1979 · 03/29/2009, 06:36 PM

I took the top off of my tank due to heat issues from the halides when I had them and gas exchange is also important like PRDubois mentioned

Salamander · 03/29/2009, 07:49 PM

I've been topless for about 2.5 years. Besides the restrictions on fish selection its been great. My fish are not jumpers but any fish could potentially jump. So far I've lost none.

iamwrasseman · 03/29/2009, 08:26 PM

i have wrasses and must have proper coverage ,so it really depends on the fish being housed . do you know what fish you hope to purchase ?if so you should read up on the requirements of them and that will easily answer your question .

ryanjharter · 03/29/2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks guys.

iamwrasseman - Right now I've got the two clowns, but I'm not really sure what else I want to get. I had two chromis, but they recently died, I think from jumping injuries.

I'm thinking about getting some zoanthids once I get my light, but I'm not really sure what other fish to get. Any ideas?

Playa-1 · 03/29/2009, 09:18 PM

I run topless too. I haven't had any problems with jumpers. It's always a possibility though.

Captinshinyside · 03/29/2009, 10:20 PM

I run topless also.. its the best... so free feeling =)
I went to home-depot and bought some acrylic light weight and cheap and had them cut it into 2 1/5 inch stips and place that around the inside lip of my tank. Havnt lost a fish since i put this top on. From normal veiwing lvl it looks like I have no top at all.

benmann71 · 03/29/2009, 10:24 PM

i also go topless. if i had tops on my tank than my fish couldn't splash water at people who look down at them.

03/29/2009, 06:11 PM	#1
ryanjharter Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15	Thoughts on going topless I just bought a JBJ 70W HQI clamp on MH lamp (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...HCO~tab~0.html) for my tank and was thinking of going topless. Is anyone else doing this? Right now I only have two Ocalleris Clowns, but bought the lamp so I could get into corals and zoas. I should assume this will limit my livestock choice to non-jumping fish, any thoughts? My tank is just a 20 gallon high.

03/29/2009, 06:23 PM	#3
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Neither of the links worked for me.... __________________ - Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD

03/29/2009, 06:24 PM	#4
loosecannon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: port kent Posts: 1,292	I have the tops of my tanks. better light,and gas exchange. __________________ I like getting WET! Current Tank Info: 44gal. 40 gal. 75 gal. 30gal. and working on a 75gal. rigt

03/29/2009, 06:26 PM	#6
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Most salt water tanks do not use tops. Gas exchange is important __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/29/2009, 07:49 PM	#8
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	I've been topless for about 2.5 years. Besides the restrictions on fish selection its been great. My fish are not jumpers but any fish could potentially jump. So far I've lost none. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

03/29/2009, 06:12 PM	#2
ryanjharter Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15	Sorry, it trimmed my link and it got a little messed up. Marine Depot JBJ HQI 70W MH Lamp

03/29/2009, 06:36 PM	#7
dahc1979 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rock Island Posts: 78	I took the top off of my tank due to heat issues from the halides when I had them and gas exchange is also important like PRDubois mentioned

03/29/2009, 08:26 PM	#9
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	i have wrasses and must have proper coverage ,so it really depends on the fish being housed . do you know what fish you hope to purchase ?if so you should read up on the requirements of them and that will easily answer your question . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

03/29/2009, 08:28 PM	#10
ryanjharter Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 15	Thanks guys. iamwrasseman - Right now I've got the two clowns, but I'm not really sure what else I want to get. I had two chromis, but they recently died, I think from jumping injuries. I'm thinking about getting some zoanthids once I get my light, but I'm not really sure what other fish to get. Any ideas?

03/29/2009, 09:18 PM	#11
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I run topless too. I haven't had any problems with jumpers. It's always a possibility though.

03/29/2009, 10:20 PM	#12
Captinshinyside Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 176	I run topless also.. its the best... so free feeling =) I went to home-depot and bought some acrylic light weight and cheap and had them cut it into 2 1/5 inch stips and place that around the inside lip of my tank. Havnt lost a fish since i put this top on. From normal veiwing lvl it looks like I have no top at all.

03/29/2009, 10:24 PM	#13
benmann71 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mishawaka, Indiana Posts: 19	i also go topless. if i had tops on my tank than my fish couldn't splash water at people who look down at them.