Glass cover to reduce evap for a few days ?

Felix T Cat · 04/23/2009, 05:46 PM

I'm going to be on the road for business next week Mon-Friday. I moved everything from my nano to an open 29g tank a few weeks ago and while I prefer the open top tank I'm of course getting more evaporation and needing top off water more frequently.

I understand that glass covers are frowned upon for normal every day use because they block gas exchange but do you think I could get away with a 2/3's cover (I have a HOB filter) for the week just to limit the amount of water loss ?

Livestock consists of snails, hermits, zoas, frogspawn, candycanes and a few mushrooms. No fish.

Aquarist007 · 04/23/2009, 06:07 PM

It doesn't appear like you have a sump or protein skimmer so a great deal of oxygen exchange has to occur at the surface in your tank but because you have no fish you should be all right.

If you had fish I would not have chanced it.

drummereef · 04/23/2009, 08:32 PM

I wouldn't risk a week away without top off. Especially on a 29g. Why not put an auto top off on it? I know it's the end of the week but maybe your LFS has one. Or, can someone you know top it off for you?

iamwrasseman · 04/23/2009, 08:47 PM

i would agree with capn hylinur ,you shouldnt have any issues at all.

04/23/2009, 05:46 PM	#1
Felix T Cat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Honey Brook, PA Posts: 557	Glass cover to reduce evap for a few days ? I'm going to be on the road for business next week Mon-Friday. I moved everything from my nano to an open 29g tank a few weeks ago and while I prefer the open top tank I'm of course getting more evaporation and needing top off water more frequently. I understand that glass covers are frowned upon for normal every day use because they block gas exchange but do you think I could get away with a 2/3's cover (I have a HOB filter) for the week just to limit the amount of water loss ? Livestock consists of snails, hermits, zoas, frogspawn, candycanes and a few mushrooms. No fish.

04/23/2009, 06:07 PM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	It doesn't appear like you have a sump or protein skimmer so a great deal of oxygen exchange has to occur at the surface in your tank but because you have no fish you should be all right. If you had fish I would not have chanced it. __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

04/23/2009, 08:32 PM	#3
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I wouldn't risk a week away without top off. Especially on a 29g. Why not put an auto top off on it? I know it's the end of the week but maybe your LFS has one. Or, can someone you know top it off for you? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/23/2009, 08:47 PM	#4
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	i would agree with capn hylinur ,you shouldnt have any issues at all. __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?