Glass Tops

aileen · 04/19/2013, 06:38 PM

I'm not really new to the hobby, but am interested in people's thoughts about glass covers for the display tank.

I have a 195g setup in the finished part of my basement and on the other side of the wall in the unfinished furnace room is my 100 Rubbermaid sump and a 30g rimless frag tank. I'm using an 8 bulb tek on the 195 display that is 26" tall and houses sps and lps. I run a dehumidifier constantly and is killing my electric bill. Plus it has to be emptied everyday with all the moisture we've had lately. So, I've decided to add glass tops and cover approx 75% of the display with 1/8th glass covers. My 100g Rubbermaid sump remains uncovered and so does my frag tank. If it matters, I'm running two mp40s in the display and a tunze wavebox. The return is a waterblaster 5000 with approx 4' head pressure and 759 gph.

Glass tops good or bad? I'm going to experiment!

kissman · 04/19/2013, 07:28 PM

Don't allow for proper gas exchange. I like the DIT screen lids from BRS. I also think the glass lids block more light

aileen · 04/19/2013, 07:32 PM

See the gas exchange seems like kinda a misnomer when you consider I have a 100g Rubbermaid sump on the other side of the wall fully open with no cover, no?

As for lighting 8 t5s is pretty intense. I'm running 4 blue plus, 2 actinic, 1 coral plus and one giesman 6500k.

Sk8r · 04/19/2013, 07:38 PM

I'd say if you've got the heat under control and it is aerated elsewhere---try it and be alert for problems.

sporto0 · 04/19/2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kissman

Don't allow for proper gas exchange. I like the DIT screen lids from BRS. I also think the glass lids block more light

ERRONEOUS

You are quite alright with glass tops Aileen, seems that when the "New Reefing Community" decides something is bad, they never take into account how long the other way worked before someone thought they figured out a "better" way, the fact is as long as there is any air exchange ie not hermetically sealed, the gas exchange is quite adequate + you said only 75% covered, I would even consider covering the rubbermaid container to reduce evaporation. I have used glass tops on all of my aquariums for 40+ years, including almost 20 in the saltwater hobby.

greg1786 · 04/19/2013, 07:51 PM

I personally dont use them because i like the look of an open top aquarium. My brother however does use them and i must admit im a little jealous of how much less he has to top off compared to myself. The top keep evap in his tank to a minimum so if you like the look of a top on your aquarium, id say go for it for sure. Not to mention it takes away the risk of a fish going carpet surfing. As for gas exchange id have to agree with you that the open sump should provide plenty but as stated above, even with the sump covered as well you should be fine

Mr. Bill · 04/19/2013, 08:05 PM

I've always had a glass top or full hood on all my tanks, and I've never had any problems. Just make sure it's not airtight and keep it clean.

aileen · 04/20/2013, 04:54 AM

Thanks for the advice. I will probably leave the sump open and just leave the display covered 75%. It's a nice medium.

Heat from the lights shouldn't be an issue since the setup is in a nice cool michigan basement, but I'll be watching the apex charts to make sure.

cerebrous · 07/28/2013, 12:58 AM

Is there any way from preventing fog up on the glass lids???

billdogg · 07/28/2013, 05:55 AM

Because you have an open sump, I would agree that gas exchange should not be an issue. I would not use 1/8" glass however, because they will break way too easily. Have a glass shop cut 1/4" tops to fit and you will be fine.

I used a glass top on my 60g cube for years. I didn't think it was a real problem at all until I broke it and replaced with a DIY screen top. The change in how the corals looked was rather dramatic, but it was on a system without a sump or skimmer, so I'm quite certain that gas exchange was an issue, just one I didn't realize until I made the change.

cakemanPA · 07/28/2013, 09:41 AM

Gas exchange won't be a problem with your set up. I had lids on my 240g acrylic tank for a while. I took them off and replaced them with screen tops only due to maintenance issues. The amount of light that was not getting through due to water, salt, fog seemed like a lot to me. Having to constantly clean the lids was a pita for me.

sleepydoc · 07/28/2013, 03:34 PM

+1
The condensation and salt buildup on a glass lid can cut light transmission considerably.

Also, more than gas exchange, I would worry about heat exchange. Less ATO water means less evaporative cooling, which may drive the temperature up pretty quickly.

04/19/2013, 06:38 PM	#1
aileen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 67	Glass Tops I'm not really new to the hobby, but am interested in people's thoughts about glass covers for the display tank. I have a 195g setup in the finished part of my basement and on the other side of the wall in the unfinished furnace room is my 100 Rubbermaid sump and a 30g rimless frag tank. I'm using an 8 bulb tek on the 195 display that is 26" tall and houses sps and lps. I run a dehumidifier constantly and is killing my electric bill. Plus it has to be emptied everyday with all the moisture we've had lately. So, I've decided to add glass tops and cover approx 75% of the display with 1/8th glass covers. My 100g Rubbermaid sump remains uncovered and so does my frag tank. If it matters, I'm running two mp40s in the display and a tunze wavebox. The return is a waterblaster 5000 with approx 4' head pressure and 759 gph. Glass tops good or bad? I'm going to experiment!

04/19/2013, 07:38 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd say if you've got the heat under control and it is aerated elsewhere---try it and be alert for problems. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/19/2013, 08:05 PM	#7
Mr. Bill Native Floridian Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Top of the Bay Posts: 256	I've always had a glass top or full hood on all my tanks, and I've never had any problems. Just make sure it's not airtight and keep it clean. __________________ Enjoying the saltwater hobby since 1974.

07/28/2013, 05:55 AM	#10
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Because you have an open sump, I would agree that gas exchange should not be an issue. I would not use 1/8" glass however, because they will break way too easily. Have a glass shop cut 1/4" tops to fit and you will be fine. I used a glass top on my 60g cube for years. I didn't think it was a real problem at all until I broke it and replaced with a DIY screen top. The change in how the corals looked was rather dramatic, but it was on a system without a sump or skimmer, so I'm quite certain that gas exchange was an issue, just one I didn't realize until I made the change. __________________ 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

07/28/2013, 03:34 PM	#12
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	+1 The condensation and salt buildup on a glass lid can cut light transmission considerably. Also, more than gas exchange, I would worry about heat exchange. Less ATO water means less evaporative cooling, which may drive the temperature up pretty quickly. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting

04/19/2013, 07:28 PM	#2
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Don't allow for proper gas exchange. I like the DIT screen lids from BRS. I also think the glass lids block more light

04/19/2013, 07:32 PM	#3
aileen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 67	See the gas exchange seems like kinda a misnomer when you consider I have a 100g Rubbermaid sump on the other side of the wall fully open with no cover, no? As for lighting 8 t5s is pretty intense. I'm running 4 blue plus, 2 actinic, 1 coral plus and one giesman 6500k.

04/19/2013, 07:51 PM	#6
greg1786 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Baltimore md Posts: 1,241	I personally dont use them because i like the look of an open top aquarium. My brother however does use them and i must admit im a little jealous of how much less he has to top off compared to myself. The top keep evap in his tank to a minimum so if you like the look of a top on your aquarium, id say go for it for sure. Not to mention it takes away the risk of a fish going carpet surfing. As for gas exchange id have to agree with you that the open sump should provide plenty but as stated above, even with the sump covered as well you should be fine

04/20/2013, 04:54 AM	#8
aileen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 67	Thanks for the advice. I will probably leave the sump open and just leave the display covered 75%. It's a nice medium. Heat from the lights shouldn't be an issue since the setup is in a nice cool michigan basement, but I'll be watching the apex charts to make sure.

07/28/2013, 12:58 AM	#9
cerebrous Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 54	Is there any way from preventing fog up on the glass lids???

07/28/2013, 09:41 AM	#11
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	Gas exchange won't be a problem with your set up. I had lids on my 240g acrylic tank for a while. I took them off and replaced them with screen tops only due to maintenance issues. The amount of light that was not getting through due to water, salt, fog seemed like a lot to me. Having to constantly clean the lids was a pita for me.