Tank Covers?

SFBiol · 03/02/2006, 08:32 AM

This is probably going to be a really dumb question, but what kind of cover, if any, should I use on my tank if I'm using compact fluourescent lighting. I mean, doesn't glass (and/or plastic) reduce the UV light penetration and therefore reduce growth of invertebrate organisms like anemones and corals? But, not using a cover leads to excess evaporation, so I'm kind of wondering what's the best route to go here. My tank is a 40 gal. and currently I have no cover, and have been adding about 1 gal. of RO water per day to make up for evap. Thanks!

JRod · 03/02/2006, 10:12 AM

Most people don't do any cover, and the main reason is that the glass affects the light spectrum.

I on the other hand use the glass tops you buy at a pet store, and two friends of mine do the same. If there is a difference in light quality I don't see it, because stuff grows like crazy, although I clean my glass lids and so do they every week to keep it clean.

murezor · 03/02/2006, 10:59 AM

I'm a noob, but using an acrylic top cuts down on evaporation considierably (factor of 2x or more). No inverts yet, so light isn't really important yet, however my algae has no problem growing even if the cover is dirty.

YoungReefer · 03/02/2006, 11:42 AM

I personally go no cover and so do 90% of reefers. mostly because when using MH lighting you need the evap to keep temp down. but with pc you could go with a lid. some fish tend to jump also so a lid is good for them too. and of course any cover between the light and the source will decrease quality of light at its destination

coogarts · 03/02/2006, 11:43 AM

I use PC's on my tank and don't use a cover.

syilk1 · 03/02/2006, 12:14 PM

I have PC lighting and my inverts and zoos seem to be doing well wih the glass canopy. For the stuff that needs more light just put up on top of tank and you should be fine. I have zoos and shrooms on the sandbed and they seem very happy along with a bubble tip anenome.

rlschne · 03/02/2006, 12:35 PM

i used eggcrate, but it cut down on too much of the lighting so I built a cheap canopy to cover the tank to keep my hawk in...

rickh · 03/02/2006, 02:31 PM

I use a glass cover. I like to keep the fish in the aquarium. As for the air exchange--If you have a sump you will have no issue with O2. As for heat exchange. Topless (I just like to say that) will keep the tank cooler, but if the tank is too hot put a thermostatically controlled fan on the sump. It's nuts to spend big money on exotic lights and reflectors, then have them eaten up by salt. R

TippyToeX · 03/02/2006, 03:08 PM

Unless you have jumpers I would not cover the tank. If you do have jumpers I'd suggest egg crate. Eggcrate does not cut lighting down if used right side up. Trust me I have a PAR meter that proves that fact.

YoungReefer · 03/02/2006, 03:22 PM

I agree with Amy. Because even though your cover is clear light is still refracted and reflected more than it needs to. It's bad enough we have to make it pass all the way to the bottom of the tank but when you add another thing it has to pass through your can lose precious light.

03/02/2006, 08:32 AM	#1
SFBiol Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Apalachin, NY Posts: 30	Tank Covers? This is probably going to be a really dumb question, but what kind of cover, if any, should I use on my tank if I'm using compact fluourescent lighting. I mean, doesn't glass (and/or plastic) reduce the UV light penetration and therefore reduce growth of invertebrate organisms like anemones and corals? But, not using a cover leads to excess evaporation, so I'm kind of wondering what's the best route to go here. My tank is a 40 gal. and currently I have no cover, and have been adding about 1 gal. of RO water per day to make up for evap. Thanks!

03/02/2006, 10:59 AM	#3
murezor Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 16	I'm a noob, but using an acrylic top cuts down on evaporation considierably (factor of 2x or more). No inverts yet, so light isn't really important yet, however my algae has no problem growing even if the cover is dirty. __________________ The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action. Current Tank Info: DIY 258g, DIY 75g Fuge, DIY Stand, ASM G4x, DIY LR

03/02/2006, 03:08 PM	#9
TippyToeX Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10,711	Unless you have jumpers I would not cover the tank. If you do have jumpers I'd suggest egg crate. Eggcrate does not cut lighting down if used right side up. Trust me I have a PAR meter that proves that fact. __________________ -Amy-

03/02/2006, 10:12 AM	#2
JRod Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, NJ Posts: 795	Most people don't do any cover, and the main reason is that the glass affects the light spectrum. I on the other hand use the glass tops you buy at a pet store, and two friends of mine do the same. If there is a difference in light quality I don't see it, because stuff grows like crazy, although I clean my glass lids and so do they every week to keep it clean.

03/02/2006, 11:42 AM	#4
YoungReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Moreno Valley, Ca Posts: 103	I personally go no cover and so do 90% of reefers. mostly because when using MH lighting you need the evap to keep temp down. but with pc you could go with a lid. some fish tend to jump also so a lid is good for them too. and of course any cover between the light and the source will decrease quality of light at its destination

03/02/2006, 11:43 AM	#5
coogarts Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 192	I use PC's on my tank and don't use a cover.

03/02/2006, 12:14 PM	#6
syilk1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 391	I have PC lighting and my inverts and zoos seem to be doing well wih the glass canopy. For the stuff that needs more light just put up on top of tank and you should be fine. I have zoos and shrooms on the sandbed and they seem very happy along with a bubble tip anenome.

03/02/2006, 12:35 PM	#7
rlschne Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: AR Posts: 122	i used eggcrate, but it cut down on too much of the lighting so I built a cheap canopy to cover the tank to keep my hawk in...

03/02/2006, 02:31 PM	#8
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	I use a glass cover. I like to keep the fish in the aquarium. As for the air exchange--If you have a sump you will have no issue with O2. As for heat exchange. Topless (I just like to say that) will keep the tank cooler, but if the tank is too hot put a thermostatically controlled fan on the sump. It's nuts to spend big money on exotic lights and reflectors, then have them eaten up by salt. R

03/02/2006, 03:22 PM	#10
YoungReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Moreno Valley, Ca Posts: 103	I agree with Amy. Because even though your cover is clear light is still refracted and reflected more than it needs to. It's bad enough we have to make it pass all the way to the bottom of the tank but when you add another thing it has to pass through your can lose precious light.