glass top or no glass top

johnny313 · 03/31/2011, 11:59 AM

I set up a 90g reef last month and just wondering if a glass top was bad. I have 48" current with 6T5's. I would think that the glass would block some or most of the lighting.

Sisterlimonpot · 03/31/2011, 12:47 PM

True it will filter some of the lighting, however the biggest concern would be gas exchange. If it's a reef tank you're going to want to leave the glass top off to allow the CO2 and O2 gases to exchange, stabilizing your Ph and allow your livestock to breathe.

jeff@zina.com · 03/31/2011, 01:20 PM

I use glass tops on fish breeding tanks. On reef tanks, I use an open top. Well, open except for the mesh I use to keep the occupants on the wet side of the glass.

Jeff

Tank Time · 03/31/2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny313

I set up a 90g reef last month and just wondering if a glass top was bad. I have 48" current with 6T5's. I would think that the glass would block some or most of the lighting.

I am not a fan of glass tops, they will get salt spray and eventually block light if not maintained. My biggest issue is that they retain heat and tank temps can vary too much in a day.

johnny313 · 03/31/2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

True it will filter some of the lighting, however the biggest concern would be gas exchange. If it's a reef tank you're going to want to leave the glass top off to allow the CO2 and O2 gases to exchange, stabilizing your Ph and allow your livestock to breathe.

totally forgot about the gas exchange.. thanks everyone

Friday Night · 03/31/2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

True it will filter some of the lighting, however the biggest concern would be gas exchange. If it's a reef tank you're going to want to leave the glass top off to allow the CO2 and O2 gases to exchange, stabilizing your Ph and allow your livestock to breathe.

+1

As well as summer is comming up and you dont want 90 gallons reef stew.

lordofthereef · 03/31/2011, 04:06 PM

If you don't have some sort of spash guard to keep water and saltspray off of your lights I would certainly strongly consider that at the very least.

I am not certain how much of the gas exchange being a problem I buy into. Plenty of people keep heavily stocked lidded tanks (speaking biocubes and the like) that do not have any issues. On top of that, if you have a sump, more of your gas exchange is likely occuring there than anywhere else.

The biggest issue that becomes an immediate problem is heat. You will almost undoubtedly see your tank's temperature go up at almost any time of the year if you have been running topless and add a top now.

syrinx · 03/31/2011, 04:39 PM

I have a lot of reef tanks off site- so they have to have glass tops. While I don`t like or use them at home- the diffrences in the tanks with and without is not able to be seen. A skimmer does a good job of gas exchange, the heat can be a issue- but if it is taken to account in the tank design, its no problem. As far as lighting goes- I don`t operate so close to the minimum that a sheet of glass is going to matter-it will reflect and block some light- but if the choice is that or a unsecure tank so be it.

billdogg · 03/31/2011, 04:50 PM

My 60g cube had a glass top for almost 20 years. It always did well. Then I saw the thread on DIY window screen tops. I used 1/4" mesh from BRS sandwiched between 2 window screen frames. A little bit of silicone and a few pop rivets and it was a done deal.

It was one of the cheapest but most impressive things I've done to that tank over the years. Everything looks much better now than it ever has.

Lynnmw1208 · 03/31/2011, 08:39 PM

The glass will eventually etch with the salt deposits and not come clean so I'd go for the netting from BRS as well. I just got mine in and it'll be my weekend project

Baldguy · 03/31/2011, 08:45 PM

Would the glass covers prevent some corrosion of the light fixtures in a canopy?

dianezoo · 03/31/2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnny313

I set up a 90g reef last month and just wondering if a glass top was bad. I have 48" current with 6T5's. I would think that the glass would block some or most of the lighting.

Johnny313 I hve the same tank set up and lights as you. The glass reduced the evaloration but also contributed to heat. I only have the glass across the back section where the surface of the water is broken by skimmer and HOB I use for charcoal and GFO. The glass on that sections does keep the salt spray/creep off the lgihts.
D

johnny313 · 04/01/2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dianezoo

Johnny313 I hve the same tank set up and lights as you. The glass reduced the evaloration but also contributed to heat. I only have the glass across the back section where the surface of the water is broken by skimmer and HOB I use for charcoal and GFO. The glass on that sections does keep the salt spray/creep off the lgihts.
D

thats a great idea! I will try that and see how it goes

03/31/2011, 11:59 AM	#1
johnny313 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 649	glass top or no glass top I set up a 90g reef last month and just wondering if a glass top was bad. I have 48" current with 6T5's. I would think that the glass would block some or most of the lighting.

03/31/2011, 12:47 PM	#2
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	True it will filter some of the lighting, however the biggest concern would be gas exchange. If it's a reef tank you're going to want to leave the glass top off to allow the CO2 and O2 gases to exchange, stabilizing your Ph and allow your livestock to breathe. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

03/31/2011, 04:06 PM	#7
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	If you don't have some sort of spash guard to keep water and saltspray off of your lights I would certainly strongly consider that at the very least. I am not certain how much of the gas exchange being a problem I buy into. Plenty of people keep heavily stocked lidded tanks (speaking biocubes and the like) that do not have any issues. On top of that, if you have a sump, more of your gas exchange is likely occuring there than anywhere else. The biggest issue that becomes an immediate problem is heat. You will almost undoubtedly see your tank's temperature go up at almost any time of the year if you have been running topless and add a top now. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

03/31/2011, 04:50 PM	#9
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	My 60g cube had a glass top for almost 20 years. It always did well. Then I saw the thread on DIY window screen tops. I used 1/4" mesh from BRS sandwiched between 2 window screen frames. A little bit of silicone and a few pop rivets and it was a done deal. It was one of the cheapest but most impressive things I've done to that tank over the years. Everything looks much better now than it ever has. __________________ 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

03/31/2011, 08:39 PM	#10
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	The glass will eventually etch with the salt deposits and not come clean so I'd go for the netting from BRS as well. I just got mine in and it'll be my weekend project __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

03/31/2011, 01:20 PM	#3
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	I use glass tops on fish breeding tanks. On reef tanks, I use an open top. Well, open except for the mesh I use to keep the occupants on the wet side of the glass. Jeff

03/31/2011, 04:39 PM	#8
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	I have a lot of reef tanks off site- so they have to have glass tops. While I don`t like or use them at home- the diffrences in the tanks with and without is not able to be seen. A skimmer does a good job of gas exchange, the heat can be a issue- but if it is taken to account in the tank design, its no problem. As far as lighting goes- I don`t operate so close to the minimum that a sheet of glass is going to matter-it will reflect and block some light- but if the choice is that or a unsecure tank so be it.

03/31/2011, 08:45 PM	#11
Baldguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ft Worth Posts: 296	Would the glass covers prevent some corrosion of the light fixtures in a canopy?

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