Glass top; on or off?

Jerry W · 09/01/2013, 11:35 PM

Awating the arrival of new lights for my 37 gallon column tank. Wondering if it would be better with or without the glass tops. Suggestions? The fixture is adjustable so I can raise/lower it. I don't get a lot of splash either.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/led...g-system.html#

Johnic · 09/01/2013, 11:44 PM

I like the glass top off to also allow heat to escape and allow evap if tank gets hot....plus the shimmer looks better...

rogerwilco357 · 09/02/2013, 12:34 AM

does the glass top skew the led's in any way I am in the same boat with kids and kittens in the house they are needed and I do want to get leds eventually to try out..good question will follow this thread.

yagesz · 09/02/2013, 12:54 AM

All my tanks have had glass tops. Mainly to fight Evaporation and humidity. Not for any other reason.

blacktangs · 09/02/2013, 02:14 AM

i am interested too. i have an acrylic top to lower evaporation and splashing. does this effect LED lighting into the tank? does it lower par?

Reefer54 · 09/02/2013, 02:31 AM

What about your inhabitants? Any known jumpers? If so, the tops can really help. eggcrate can help too. But otherwise, you really have to clean them a lot cuz of saltcreep. They will also interfer with light and hold heat. I'd lose it.

James77 · 09/02/2013, 07:34 AM

I keep glass toos to keep heat in, my tanks heaters are on for more of the year than not, and heating can be one of the largest costs. Mesh tops are Great for jumpers, but I think a glass topped tank has a much cleaner look. I see no noticeable effect on shimmer, nor the life in tank. Salt creep has never been an issue, I clean the glass maybe every month to 2. If you have splashing water, that is where salt will build. Like a pimp pointed at the surface of the water.

As for LEDs.....Condensation is very noticeable when the tank is warmer than the air. My halides burn this off in 10-15 minutes since they have more infrared heat. LEDs have very little, so the condensation may also add to the little bit of PAR lost to the glass if it can't dry that condensation.

raynist · 09/02/2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

Like a pimp pointed at the surface of the water

Sounds like an interesting tank!!

that Fish Guy · 09/02/2013, 11:15 AM

How much Light and PAR does a Glass Top take out hindering you Corals?

10%, 20%, 30%, etc.

James77 · 09/02/2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raynist

Sounds like an interesting tank!!

It is strange that my phone seems to think people would say pimp more than pump....

James77 · 09/02/2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that Fish Guy

How much Light and PAR does a Glass Top take out hindering you Corals?

10%, 20%, 30%, etc.

I have not actually measured it, my local clubs PAR meter seemed to be stuck in the hands of a few people last I checked. I have seen people post hat it was in the 7-10% area. If I ever get my hands on that or another meter, I will measure it with fairly dirty glass, clean glass, totally open, and with a mesh top.

that Fish Guy · 09/02/2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James77

I have not actually measured it, my local clubs PAR meter seemed to be stuck in the hands of a few people last I checked. I have seen people post hat it was in the 7-10% area. If I ever get my hands on that or another meter, I will measure it with fairly dirty glass, clean glass, totally open, and with a mesh top.

Great.

That would be excellent information for us to have.

Thanks James

wildman926 · 09/02/2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that Fish Guy

How much Light and PAR does a Glass Top take out hindering you Corals?

10%, 20%, 30%, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeConsumer

I don't want to link to an outside forum, but here's the results from a guy who did some par measurements a few years ago:

no top 345
mesh top 327 (6.3% reduction)
clean glass top 305 (12.6% reduction)
egg crate 265 (23.2% reduction)

Here you go...

Deahttub · 09/02/2013, 04:51 PM

I prefer to use a glass top...

brubakron · 09/02/2013, 07:23 PM

I have been thinking about the same thing for my new tank set up. Is glass prefrrable to acrylic, or does it really matter?

alton · 09/03/2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brubakron

I have been thinking about the same thing for my new tank set up. Is glass prefrrable to acrylic, or does it really matter?

Both are going to get dirty, salt creep, water stained. Which one will be the easier to clean after 4 or 5 years and not be all scratched up? Also glass is easy to clean, lamps are not if they get splashed or water stains, the same goes for reflectors. I built a canopy one time with 99% chrome reflectors for my T5's. After about 3 years the reflectors where worthless. My 300 is open top, but the pendants have glass sheilds and are easy to clean. I think it helps lamps last longer since there is no moisture. I know if I spent several thousand on LEDS I would have glass tops.

MrIcky · 09/03/2013, 11:40 AM

I use a glass top. Cats, kids, dust, humidity, etc. It's pretty easy now to get enough lighting to make up for that small difference.

09/01/2013, 11:35 PM	#1
Jerry W Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PA. Posts: 2,873	Glass top; on or off? Awating the arrival of new lights for my 37 gallon column tank. Wondering if it would be better with or without the glass tops. Suggestions? The fixture is adjustable so I can raise/lower it. I don't get a lot of splash either. http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/led...g-system.html# __________________ Americans sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Current Tank Info: 37 gal; pair of mocha clowns, ywg and tiger pistol shrimp

09/01/2013, 11:44 PM	#2
Johnic Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,092	I like the glass top off to also allow heat to escape and allow evap if tank gets hot....plus the shimmer looks better... __________________ 75 Lee Mar Peninsula Tank, Reef Octo Elite 150, Custom Advanced Acrylic Sump, (2) MP40, Vectra M2 Main Pump, (2) XR15 Pro, Clear Water ATS CW-50, Alkatronic,GHL Doser 2.1, Apex Neptune El with Trident

09/02/2013, 12:34 AM	#3
rogerwilco357 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 1,391	does the glass top skew the led's in any way I am in the same boat with kids and kittens in the house they are needed and I do want to get leds eventually to try out..good question will follow this thread. __________________ hook line and sinker Current Tank Info: 2x2x4 120gal,sump45 gal.RKE controller,ATI Powermodule 8x80watt,1MP20+2MP40,1 mp10,RoyalExclusive Alpha200

09/02/2013, 02:14 AM	#5
blacktangs Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dublin/Pleasanton, CA Posts: 205	i am interested too. i have an acrylic top to lower evaporation and splashing. does this effect LED lighting into the tank? does it lower par? __________________ reefing 4 life Current Tank Info: 250G CD Starphire SPS Dominate Reef / 2019 New build

09/02/2013, 02:31 AM	#6
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	What about your inhabitants? Any known jumpers? If so, the tops can really help. eggcrate can help too. But otherwise, you really have to clean them a lot cuz of saltcreep. They will also interfer with light and hold heat. I'd lose it. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

09/02/2013, 12:54 AM	#4
yagesz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 246	All my tanks have had glass tops. Mainly to fight Evaporation and humidity. Not for any other reason.

09/02/2013, 07:34 AM	#7
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	I keep glass toos to keep heat in, my tanks heaters are on for more of the year than not, and heating can be one of the largest costs. Mesh tops are Great for jumpers, but I think a glass topped tank has a much cleaner look. I see no noticeable effect on shimmer, nor the life in tank. Salt creep has never been an issue, I clean the glass maybe every month to 2. If you have splashing water, that is where salt will build. Like a pimp pointed at the surface of the water. As for LEDs.....Condensation is very noticeable when the tank is warmer than the air. My halides burn this off in 10-15 minutes since they have more infrared heat. LEDs have very little, so the condensation may also add to the little bit of PAR lost to the glass if it can't dry that condensation. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

09/02/2013, 11:15 AM	#9
that Fish Guy Frag Swap Crusader! Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,538	How much Light and PAR does a Glass Top take out hindering you Corals? 10%, 20%, 30%, etc. __________________ For a Complete List of all the Frag Swaps in 2018 Click the Link Below. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2655153 You do not want to miss any! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon, 45 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 20 Gallon, 20 Gallon #2, 10 Gallon

09/02/2013, 04:51 PM	#14
Deahttub Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Longwood,Fl Posts: 171	I prefer to use a glass top...

09/02/2013, 07:23 PM	#15
brubakron Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 178	I have been thinking about the same thing for my new tank set up. Is glass prefrrable to acrylic, or does it really matter?

09/03/2013, 11:40 AM	#17
MrIcky Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 296	I use a glass top. Cats, kids, dust, humidity, etc. It's pretty easy now to get enough lighting to make up for that small difference.