glass cover for cichlid tank?

[fishtankmaster5]

i was wondering if i needed the glass cover that came with my 90gal cichlid tank, i never had problems before with them even attempting to jump out, and the glass just does not work for me, it gets dirty and algae tends grows on it, and also do you think my light strip will be ok or will there be a safety issue with it, please help, this has been bothering for some time

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I wouldn't risk it with that type of light, it could easily fall in and short out, not a good plan. Open tops are fine but find a way to mount the lights above the tank. Either with legs or from the ceiling or something. At least i would.

 

[SinisterKisses]

Africans are quite often jumpers, though I believe a lot of the time it's accidental...I would never, ever have an open-top tank with African cichlids in it.

 

[FishGeek]

I would have to agree with what was said. Ive personally had some jump before because I left the lid up.

 

[Kephren01]

From an electrical standpoint, leaving the light open is bad. Having water evaporate into the strip and condense can cause a problem. Fish jumping or splashing and having water contact the light is bad. At minimum, it will shorten the life span of the bulb you use. Worst case, you fry your tank and blow a circuit assuming the circuit trips.

Electrical equipment should be kept away from water and such. Even the "water safe" equipment like the heaters and pumps have warnings that tell you to unplug them if you notice anything strange (the just in case clause). Lights aren't made to go in the tank.

I'd keep the top, i've had fish jump

 

[midmichman80]

I have had a clawed frog jump out of my tank a couple times, although the lid was shut. I would think that the lid would be best on, it will keep water from evaporating as much. This will make you fill it less often and like others have said it will really lower your chances of lighting/electrical problems as well. I have been looking for a glass top to my 90g just for those reasons.

 

[Pure]

I too agree with what has been said. A simple solution would be to get some egg-crate and cut it to fit. This way you have protection against jumpers and something that will keep you light out of the water, and it still gives you the benefits of having an open top.

If your worried about water vapor and the light...when this one goes out replace it with a CF, or T5 fixture. They normally have a glass shield over the actual bulb.

 

[fishtankmaster5]

i agree with you pure, that is why i bought a new t-5 light fixture, that has stands on the sides that have it sit way above the water, its great, i have never had a problem with them tryin to jump out yet so i think i am going to try it, the only thing that might be a concern is the evaportion

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Interesting, i've never had an african jump on me.

 

[fishtankmaster5]

i know, ive been tryin to research around and have not heard to much about cichlids jumping, at my lfs i was talking to a friend of mine who has been breeding cichlids for about 15 years and he was telling me the same thing about cichlids and how they are not really big jumpers, so i think i will be okay, now i cant wait till my t-5 fixture gets here so i can set it up

 

[SinisterKisses]

He's wrong...cichlids as a whole are jumpers for sure. Maybe not as common as tetras or something, but if you hang out at cichlid forums, you'll see plenty of threads about cichlids jumping. Just a couple weeks ago I lost a juvenile midas when he jumped out of the tank - through a glass lid. Mbuna are particularly prone because of their nature - they're very fast swimmers and often chase each other around.

 

[Kephren01]

I'd have to agree, in speculation, with sinister. Before I had a tank with a canopy, my africans would splash enough water out of the tank to make me change my cloths.

They also cause some concern since I have a glass on the tank and the water level generously high, I hear them bang the top, or at least break the water boundary. This is usually when one is hanging near the top and another swims up to attack him. Only place to go is up.

At minimum, you need to cover, secure, and protect your electric.

 

[CICHLIDKEEPER]

advice

my advice is to use the lid. no lid= excessive evaporation. the algae issue in my experience is caused by the bubbler or splashing of water caused by the bubbles so try to move the bubbler maybe. my cichlids have yet to jump out but if there was food involved they probobly would jump out lol.*thumbsups