To covor not to cover that is the question.

What's the top of your tank look like?

  • No cover

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Just a canopy

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Glass cover

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Glass Cover and Canopy

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
CienFuegos

CienFuegos

Premium member
Hi all,

Just wondering what everyone was doing with regards to covering the top of your tanks? I have a 90 Gallon with a canopy to help keep some of the jumpers in the tank, but I do not have any type of glass cover. I like the fact that I can reach in when I have to and I maybe wrong but I feel that with out the cover there is more air to water. That said I'm not a fan of having to make so much water due to evaporation.
 
CienFuegos said:
Hi all,

That said I'm not a fan of having to make so much water due to evaporation.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the maintenance of keeping the glass covers clean would be harder then making the water to replace evaporation. If you are worried about fish jumping out, go with mesh tops like suggested above. I just have my canopy with no mesh top and for me that has worked out good...I also don't have any real "jumpers" in my tank, though.
 
I tried a DIY screen when I had the 35 going and I wasn't really happy with it so my buddy helped me build a custom canopy for it (other wise I'd be called 9 finger Eddie... lol).
 
Going with a screen top is one of the best things I've done. I started with glass tops, but they didn't allow for gas exchange or evaporation, and were hard to keep clean. Then I tried a canopy. I built it myself and left the back somewhat open. It was ok for evaporation, but the darn fish were still able to find there way to the floor. With the mesh, I get the evaporation and gas exchange of an open top, but the security of glass tops. No surfers yet! I have an ATO and a 30g reservoir to keep up with the evaporation.
 
I just switch from glass tops to screen tops n I love it. With glass tops u will have to keep them clean. Witch not good times. If u have a canopy n the back of it is open. You can put mesh on the back of the canopy to act as a wall.
 
I run just canopy to with a fan in canopy on a thermastate. Water evap is about 6 gal every three days . idk if thats alot but tanks been running like that for years if it aint broke dont fix lol i say
 
Hi Roberto,

This is why was I was trying to get an idea as to what would work better. I was thinking of just putting mesh since there is a 6" gap along the canopy on the back side. Then I started wondering if it would be better to put the screen on top of the tank. I really wasn't likikng the glass because like capysolo said, the gas exchange.

riv said:
I just switch from glass tops to screen tops n I love it. With glass tops u will have to keep them clean. Witch not good times. If u have a canopy n the back of it is open. You can put mesh on the back of the canopy to act as a wall.
Click to expand...
 
there is no gas exchange except evaporation unless you have turbulence. all the air exchange is in the skimmer or air stones. I would think the easiest thing to do would be thin acrylic. get it at hobby lobby and make a card board temlet. you could put it in your oven to soften it and cut it with scissors. drill a hole to open and flip every once in a while to keep it from bowing. imo
 
mesh screen top is not an option listed. one vote for that.

with any clear material top you are also reducing your light output. remember, you can't get a tan through your car window.
 
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