Glass tops or no.

xlayedoutx · 04/29/2006, 12:32 AM

Need some help guys and girls. I have a 75 gal tank that I'm going to be running without a chiller. I was wondering if I should use the glass tops I purchased or not. I'll probably use them in the winter to help keep the tank heated but its summer now and I'm not sure what to do. My lighting system is the Coralife Aqualight Pro with the (2) 150 watt MH's and (2) 96 watt pc's. All the pumps I'm useing are low wattage pumps and shouldn't produce to much heat. I'll also have a fan blowing on the sump and one across the top of the tank running when my lights are on. I also keep the house at a room temp of 76 when the lights are on. I do not use a canopy and have the lights sitting on their legs above the tank. How much heat would the glass tops really trap. Is it something I should even worry about or am I better off with out the tops. Also should I worry aobut fish jumping out without the tops. What are your thoughts on the trouble I might be faceing with and without the tops.

Konadog · 04/29/2006, 12:36 AM

IMO, I wouldn't use the glass tops anytime. When the top of the aquarium is covered, you loose your main place for gas exchange and cooling (evaporation). Depending on what fish you plan to keep, you may not have to worry about fish jumping.

Jerry W · 04/29/2006, 12:39 AM

Agreed. I removed my glass tops a few months ago. Temp in the tank dropped by a couple degrees. Better light penetration, gas exchange. As stated, if you have jumpers, it can be a concern, but egg crate can fix that problem. You'll have accelerated evaporation as well, and need to top off more frequently, but it's worth it, IMO.

mlb75 · 04/29/2006, 12:57 AM

I don't use the entire glass tops because of the aforementioned benefits however I did go to HD and have them cut me three pieces of glass to cover the back 6 inches of the tank. I did this to help eliminate salt creep. I used to have issues where the wall behind the tank would get a coating on it after awhile from the evaporation etc. Ever since I covered just that little bit of the back my problem went away. As for fish jumping out I've only had a few take that leap after many years of having fish, so I really wouldn't worry about that unless you have known high jumpers.

xlayedoutx · 04/29/2006, 01:08 AM

So does this mean you wouldn't use them in the winter either. If I'm not going to use them at all I can make some alterations to them so that the back 6 inches are cover for the salt creep problem.

aLucidDream · 04/29/2006, 01:25 AM

Winters here in NY can get a little nasty, but as long as your home is heated and temps dont drop that much at night you should have no problem. The heater in your tank/sump where ever should keep the water warm also. I've never used a glass top. Plus the MH's give off heat...seems like your covered

mlb75 · 04/29/2006, 01:26 AM

I only use the back 6" glass year round, Don't worry about keeping heat in the tank that's what your heaters are for, believe me getting heat out is much harder / more expensive.

bubbaOPPD · 04/29/2006, 01:40 AM

Also what kind of fish do you have...Fairy Wrasses and Gobies are known jumpers and eels will crawl out.

04/29/2006, 12:32 AM	#1
xlayedoutx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clovis Ca Posts: 383	Glass tops or no. Need some help guys and girls. I have a 75 gal tank that I'm going to be running without a chiller. I was wondering if I should use the glass tops I purchased or not. I'll probably use them in the winter to help keep the tank heated but its summer now and I'm not sure what to do. My lighting system is the Coralife Aqualight Pro with the (2) 150 watt MH's and (2) 96 watt pc's. All the pumps I'm useing are low wattage pumps and shouldn't produce to much heat. I'll also have a fan blowing on the sump and one across the top of the tank running when my lights are on. I also keep the house at a room temp of 76 when the lights are on. I do not use a canopy and have the lights sitting on their legs above the tank. How much heat would the glass tops really trap. Is it something I should even worry about or am I better off with out the tops. Also should I worry aobut fish jumping out without the tops. What are your thoughts on the trouble I might be faceing with and without the tops.

04/29/2006, 12:36 AM	#2
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	IMO, I wouldn't use the glass tops anytime. When the top of the aquarium is covered, you loose your main place for gas exchange and cooling (evaporation). Depending on what fish you plan to keep, you may not have to worry about fish jumping. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

04/29/2006, 12:39 AM	#3
Jerry W Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: PA. Posts: 2,873	Agreed. I removed my glass tops a few months ago. Temp in the tank dropped by a couple degrees. Better light penetration, gas exchange. As stated, if you have jumpers, it can be a concern, but egg crate can fix that problem. You'll have accelerated evaporation as well, and need to top off more frequently, but it's worth it, IMO. __________________ 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

04/29/2006, 12:57 AM	#4
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	I don't use the entire glass tops because of the aforementioned benefits however I did go to HD and have them cut me three pieces of glass to cover the back 6 inches of the tank. I did this to help eliminate salt creep. I used to have issues where the wall behind the tank would get a coating on it after awhile from the evaporation etc. Ever since I covered just that little bit of the back my problem went away. As for fish jumping out I've only had a few take that leap after many years of having fish, so I really wouldn't worry about that unless you have known high jumpers. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

04/29/2006, 01:08 AM	#5
xlayedoutx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Clovis Ca Posts: 383	So does this mean you wouldn't use them in the winter either. If I'm not going to use them at all I can make some alterations to them so that the back 6 inches are cover for the salt creep problem. __________________ I may be new but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. Current Tank Info: 40G Breeder with built in overflow, (2) Hydra 26HD’s, (4) T5’s, BM Nac 3.5 Skimmer

04/29/2006, 01:25 AM	#6
aLucidDream Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: newyork Posts: 211	Winters here in NY can get a little nasty, but as long as your home is heated and temps dont drop that much at night you should have no problem. The heater in your tank/sump where ever should keep the water warm also. I've never used a glass top. Plus the MH's give off heat...seems like your covered

04/29/2006, 01:26 AM	#7
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	I only use the back 6" glass year round, Don't worry about keeping heat in the tank that's what your heaters are for, believe me getting heat out is much harder / more expensive. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

04/29/2006, 01:40 AM	#8
bubbaOPPD Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 416	Also what kind of fish do you have...Fairy Wrasses and Gobies are known jumpers and eels will crawl out.