Nee AI Unit- Glass top on or off?

PMUnprotected · 04/16/2011, 10:13 AM

I recently set up my Aqua Illumination Sol Blue LED light.

It's approx 12" above the water level.

Question is- should I remove the glass cover on my aquarium or keep it? What are the benefits of having it or not?

There's condensation that builds up, and I've heard that the cover can minimize the light % that's getting to the water.

Thanks in advance!

Oh yeah, I LOVE THE LIGHTS!!!

livfortoday · 04/16/2011, 10:51 AM

You will want some type of cover if you have fish that are jumpers. My next points are only thoughts, not sure if they absolutley true.....Out side of that I think a glass cover will help minimize evaporation from your display.

I can tell you that I started with glass covers eventually took them off as I was constantly cleaning salt off them and they did seem to block out a % of light due to creep and condensation.

As for your AI, I am trying to figure out a way to buy these right now with out the wife seeing how much they are.

She knows I need new lights for the 150 sitting in storage and told me to buy them...just dont spend $500.....if only she knew!

israel.kendall · 04/16/2011, 11:01 AM

Topless all the way. Cover can cause heat issues and collects salt creep that block your light.

If your fish are jumpers I'd suggest a net top.

PMUnprotected · 04/16/2011, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the response!

I guess I've thought about the evaporation issue as well.

Should I just buy a cheap net type at a hardware store?

Also for the married fellas- AI LEDs... Worth going in the dog house for! IMHO :-)

israel.kendall · 04/16/2011, 11:49 AM

The evaporation is what will keep your tank cool. Also, I've read that people who put kalk in their top off appreciate the evaporation, so if you're planning to dose kalk then the evaporation could be a positive, not a negative.

PMUnprotected · 04/16/2011, 12:15 PM

I was worried about dust and other things entering the more exposed top.

Is this an issue?!

cubsFAN · 04/16/2011, 12:31 PM

Keep the top off for oxygen exchange. If you do a search you will find a diy for a top using bird netting and window screen framing. It blocks the least light and keeps your fish in.

Someone might have a link to help you out.

I wouldn't worry about dust getting in the tank. Just make sure you don't get any chemicals from cleaning products in there and that sort of thing.

PupPuP · 08/01/2011, 06:14 PM

The glass top will reduce light intensity plus you have to keep it clean or it will really mess with your intensity. If you have jumpers you can always use fiberglass screen or plastic eggcrate to prevent that.

I just got an AI Sol Blue as well and my wife loves it plus I'll save 10 bucks or so a month on my electric bill. Tank looks amazing with the Sol Blue - can't wait to see what AI comes up with next!

04/16/2011, 10:13 AM	#1
PMUnprotected Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 146	Nee AI Unit- Glass top on or off? I recently set up my Aqua Illumination Sol Blue LED light. It's approx 12" above the water level. Question is- should I remove the glass cover on my aquarium or keep it? What are the benefits of having it or not? There's condensation that builds up, and I've heard that the cover can minimize the light % that's getting to the water. Thanks in advance! Oh yeah, I LOVE THE LIGHTS!!! __________________ 55g column style, 10g sump/refugium, 40 lbs LS, 40+ lbs LR, AI Sol Blue, Midas Blenny, Tomato Clownfish, peppermint shrimp, astrea snails, cerith snails, nessarious snails, dwarf hermits

04/16/2011, 11:16 AM	#4
PMUnprotected Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 146	Thanks for the response! I guess I've thought about the evaporation issue as well. Should I just buy a cheap net type at a hardware store? Also for the married fellas- AI LEDs... Worth going in the dog house for! IMHO :-) __________________ 55g column style, 10g sump/refugium, 40 lbs LS, 40+ lbs LR, AI Sol Blue, Midas Blenny, Tomato Clownfish, peppermint shrimp, astrea snails, cerith snails, nessarious snails, dwarf hermits

04/16/2011, 12:15 PM	#6
PMUnprotected Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 146	I was worried about dust and other things entering the more exposed top. Is this an issue?! __________________ 55g column style, 10g sump/refugium, 40 lbs LS, 40+ lbs LR, AI Sol Blue, Midas Blenny, Tomato Clownfish, peppermint shrimp, astrea snails, cerith snails, nessarious snails, dwarf hermits

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04/16/2011, 10:51 AM	#2
livfortoday Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 100	You will want some type of cover if you have fish that are jumpers. My next points are only thoughts, not sure if they absolutley true.....Out side of that I think a glass cover will help minimize evaporation from your display. I can tell you that I started with glass covers eventually took them off as I was constantly cleaning salt off them and they did seem to block out a % of light due to creep and condensation. As for your AI, I am trying to figure out a way to buy these right now with out the wife seeing how much they are. She knows I need new lights for the 150 sitting in storage and told me to buy them...just dont spend $500.....if only she knew!

04/16/2011, 11:01 AM	#3
israel.kendall Padawan Reefer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Land O Lakes Posts: 922	Topless all the way. Cover can cause heat issues and collects salt creep that block your light. If your fish are jumpers I'd suggest a net top.

04/16/2011, 11:49 AM	#5
israel.kendall Padawan Reefer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Land O Lakes Posts: 922	The evaporation is what will keep your tank cool. Also, I've read that people who put kalk in their top off appreciate the evaporation, so if you're planning to dose kalk then the evaporation could be a positive, not a negative.

04/16/2011, 12:31 PM	#7
cubsFAN Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 1,550	Keep the top off for oxygen exchange. If you do a search you will find a diy for a top using bird netting and window screen framing. It blocks the least light and keeps your fish in. Someone might have a link to help you out. I wouldn't worry about dust getting in the tank. Just make sure you don't get any chemicals from cleaning products in there and that sort of thing.

08/01/2011, 06:14 PM	#8
PupPuP Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 18	The glass top will reduce light intensity plus you have to keep it clean or it will really mess with your intensity. If you have jumpers you can always use fiberglass screen or plastic eggcrate to prevent that. I just got an AI Sol Blue as well and my wife loves it plus I'll save 10 bucks or so a month on my electric bill. Tank looks amazing with the Sol Blue - can't wait to see what AI comes up with next!