Covering your tank?

[BalaShark]

Hi All

Just a question please. My SW tank's lights (Coralife) are about 2" above the tank. Do I need to put a glass top over my tank in order to minimize evaporation or salt crawling?

Thank You
Tony

 

[1979camaro]

As long as your bulbs are covered it should be fine...most people chose not to cover the tank to improve gas exchange and keep temperatures down.

 

[TRe]

no need to put a glass canopy unless you want too... its actually better not to like camaro said

 

[Lorna]

If you aren't covering it with glass you can get inexpensive egg crate which is flourescent light diffuser panel from Home Depot or Lowes and cut it to fit the top. This will or should keep any errant jumpers in your tank, keep the gas exchange up and not reduce the amount of light getting into your water like glass can.......a 3x6 panel costs about $10

 

[Joe Fish]

I found an artice that says the egg create can cut down on the spread of light in your tank. With the egg create the light will tend to shoot straight down instead of like a cone. Still, i think that is a minor issue.

 

[eva]

I'm actually having a problem with this myself. I bought a 36" Lunar Aqualight with the adjustable mounting legs and now the glass top that comes with my tank does not fit...I have to choose between having an adjustable mounting fixture or having a top.

We were thinking of maybe finding some plexiglass that we can cut to fit around where the legs are attached to the tank. I would go topless and for now I can but only until I get fish in there...I plan on having gobies/blennies and would not like to find one carpet diving.

What's everyone's opinions on the amount of light lost by using eggcrate?

 

[GIS Guy]

The plexi glass will need to be thick.
I have an 1/8 inch piece and it has bowed.

EDIT: eggcrate -- http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/saltwater-general-discussion/40198-new-tank-pictures.html?highlight=eggcrate

 

[Lorna]

I have egg crate over my 75 and it doesn't seem to affect the amount of light then again, I don't have a lux/par meter so can't be sure. I just know my corals/fish etc don't mind and everyone is growing and spreading