Egg crate and light loss

Hatonhed · 05/25/2016, 10:50 AM

I was wondering what peoples opinions are on egg crate as a tank topper. Will this limit the light that gets through to your corals? I will be using an led fixture and I am wondering if egg crate on top will cause any issues with light penetration ect ect.

Thanks!

shields · 05/25/2016, 10:52 AM

I would say so, 100%. I personally use BRS clear netting from their online store. It's super cheap 10$ you can grab a frame kit from Home Depot and just work it together. That's what I did

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gone fishin · 05/25/2016, 11:04 AM

Egg crates actual design is as a light diffuser.

Hatonhed · 05/25/2016, 11:22 AM

I am wanting this partially to keep a cat out of my tank! a light diffuser spreads light around by nature, but is this going to affect the direct light received by the corals?

Radioheadx14 · 05/25/2016, 11:31 AM

True, while it is meant to be used as a diffuser, it will still block some light and redirect others. It will atleast block its surface area worth, and maybe more since it is not 2D and light will be coming at it from various angles. However, I can't think of a better option to use other than a glass top to keep a cat out, except for a canopy top. I would advise against glass tops 1) they keep heat in 2) mitigate air exchange and 3) since you use LEDs, the condenced water drops will split the diode mixing and you will get a disco effect.

Greybeard · 05/25/2016, 11:42 AM

Non scientific... but I've tried it. Put eggcrate over my 60g cube with an Aquaticlife Halo. The entire corner around the tank lit up like a sunny day. With that much reflection, the amount of light reaching the corals had to have dropped.

I did the clear BRS screen kit. Works great.

Hatonhed · 05/25/2016, 11:47 AM

I am thinking possibly the mesh screen from BRS, but I would have to epoxy the screen in so the cat would not push through it if he decided to walk on the mesh

shields · 05/27/2016, 08:08 PM

Are you rimless? Or do you have any sort of canopy? I had a canopy but huge opening in the back so I made a egg crate fence to close up the canopy, and then BRS netting to prevent the fish from jumping

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Reef Frog · 05/27/2016, 09:43 PM

Egg crate gets brittle after a while, probably more so with UV. Don't be surprised if your curios feline breaks It and takes a sudden dunk like the clown at a firehouse carnival. Be sure to put a video cam on the tank and you might be the proud owner of one of those 10 million view cat videos on YouTube!

Heck lots of poeple complain about the point source nature of LED...shadowing & all that. Maybe the diffusing would help spread the light & eliminate a huge LED negative? Most people have to throttle down LED so you could always turn it up to compensate fo any light loss.

plecoco · 05/27/2016, 10:16 PM

From what I've seen, they act as light diffusers.

Hatonhed · 05/28/2016, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef Frog

Egg crate gets brittle after a while, probably more so with UV. Don't be surprised if your curios feline breaks It and takes a sudden dunk like the clown at a firehouse carnival. Be sure to put a video cam on the tank and you might be the proud owner of one of those 10 million view cat videos on YouTube!

Heck lots of poeple complain about the point source nature of LED...shadowing & all that. Maybe the diffusing would help spread the light & eliminate a huge LED negative? Most people have to throttle down LED so you could always turn it up to compensate fo any light loss.

You know, that's not a bad point. I guess it will be worth a shot to see how it does!

billdogg · 05/28/2016, 06:23 AM

I would leave it without a top until the cat takes a swim, then put on the clear mesh screen as others have suggested. Eggcrate diffuses the light and WILL NOT stop most jumpers, so it really does not make much sense to use it. (not that I haven't in the past, just that there is a much better option now available)

05/25/2016, 10:50 AM	#1
Hatonhed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Posts: 154	Egg crate and light loss I was wondering what peoples opinions are on egg crate as a tank topper. Will this limit the light that gets through to your corals? I will be using an led fixture and I am wondering if egg crate on top will cause any issues with light penetration ect ect. Thanks! __________________ Why does the firefish look so angry? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon display with 20L sump

05/25/2016, 11:04 AM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Egg crates actual design is as a light diffuser. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

05/25/2016, 11:22 AM	#4
Hatonhed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Posts: 154	I am wanting this partially to keep a cat out of my tank! a light diffuser spreads light around by nature, but is this going to affect the direct light received by the corals? __________________ Why does the firefish look so angry? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon display with 20L sump Last edited by Hatonhed; 05/25/2016 at 11:22 AM. Reason: Correction

05/25/2016, 11:47 AM	#7
Hatonhed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Posts: 154	I am thinking possibly the mesh screen from BRS, but I would have to epoxy the screen in so the cat would not push through it if he decided to walk on the mesh __________________ Why does the firefish look so angry? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon display with 20L sump

05/27/2016, 10:16 PM	#10
plecoco Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: California Posts: 78	From what I've seen, they act as light diffusers. __________________ Get deals > cuddledeals.com Skimmer FAQ > skimmergeek.com Current Tank Info: 10g tank looking for stocking ideas

05/25/2016, 10:52 AM	#2
shields Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 106	I would say so, 100%. I personally use BRS clear netting from their online store. It's super cheap 10$ you can grab a frame kit from Home Depot and just work it together. That's what I did Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/25/2016, 11:31 AM	#5
Radioheadx14 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 1,601	True, while it is meant to be used as a diffuser, it will still block some light and redirect others. It will atleast block its surface area worth, and maybe more since it is not 2D and light will be coming at it from various angles. However, I can't think of a better option to use other than a glass top to keep a cat out, except for a canopy top. I would advise against glass tops 1) they keep heat in 2) mitigate air exchange and 3) since you use LEDs, the condenced water drops will split the diode mixing and you will get a disco effect.

05/25/2016, 11:42 AM	#6
Greybeard Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Buffalo, MO Posts: 651	Non scientific... but I've tried it. Put eggcrate over my 60g cube with an Aquaticlife Halo. The entire corner around the tank lit up like a sunny day. With that much reflection, the amount of light reaching the corals had to have dropped. I did the clear BRS screen kit. Works great.

05/27/2016, 08:08 PM	#8
shields Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 106	Are you rimless? Or do you have any sort of canopy? I had a canopy but huge opening in the back so I made a egg crate fence to close up the canopy, and then BRS netting to prevent the fish from jumping Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/27/2016, 09:43 PM	#9
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Egg crate gets brittle after a while, probably more so with UV. Don't be surprised if your curios feline breaks It and takes a sudden dunk like the clown at a firehouse carnival. Be sure to put a video cam on the tank and you might be the proud owner of one of those 10 million view cat videos on YouTube! Heck lots of poeple complain about the point source nature of LED...shadowing & all that. Maybe the diffusing would help spread the light & eliminate a huge LED negative? Most people have to throttle down LED so you could always turn it up to compensate fo any light loss.

05/28/2016, 06:23 AM	#12
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I would leave it without a top until the cat takes a swim, then put on the clear mesh screen as others have suggested. Eggcrate diffuses the light and WILL NOT stop most jumpers, so it really does not make much sense to use it. (not that I haven't in the past, just that there is a much better option now available) __________________ 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