Covering aquariums?

[Woodchuck12]

I have read that it is bad to cover an aquarium with glass because it doesn't allow for proper gas exchange. Is this true? Also if it is, would it be possible to cover it with a screen or mesh instead?

Thanks, Charlie

[disc1]

Yes, screen or mesh is much better.

Glass not only cut's down gas exchange, it also traps heat.

[BlueFyre]

I also had a huge issue with the glass getting dirt and blocking light. Now I have a mesh top and it's perfect.

[NastayNatron]

If you cover it with window screen you will lose a lot of light. Use a mesh of some sort and build it with window framing. I used 1/4" because I have small fish. Here is mine:

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff418/NastayNatron/846f336a.jpg

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff418/NastayNatron/79a75e5b.jpg

[SC Reefaholic]

BRS 1/4 mesh on regular Home Depot or Lowes window screen frames.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4396&pictureid=31615

[Dr Colliebreath]

Mine is covered with glass. You can get plenty of gas exchange/oxygenation from your protein skimmer and open sump.

I sometimes wonder about having an open tank. How much evaporation to you guys see per day with the open top? Mine is only 3/4 to 1 gallon per day.

[RubberFrog]

I lose almost 1g/day on my 95.

[Woodchuck12]

So any 1/4 inch mesh in a window frame would work well without too much light blockage? Thanks for the quick help.

[Frogmanx82]

Gas exchange isn't really an issue, especially with a protein skimmer. Heat build up is the biggest issue. I use a glass top in the winter and leave it open in the summer. A plus for the glass top is it reduces evaporation loss.

[pweissma]

So any 1/4 inch mesh in a window frame would work well without too much light blockage? Thanks for the quick help.

I read some posts warning that the heat from MHs can make some mesh brittle. If you have MHs you might want to do some checking.

[card_judge]

Gas exchange isn't really an issue, especially with a protein skimmer. Heat build up is the biggest issue. I use a glass top in the winter and leave it open in the summer. A plus for the glass top is it reduces evaporation loss.

This is not only the best answer you were looking for but the correct one all predicated on the fact you have a sump with skimmer and/or refugium set-up. +1 for frogman

[Woodchuck12]

This is not only the best answer you were looking for but the correct one all predicated on the fact you have a sump with skimmer and/or refugium set-up. +1 for frogman

Great! Thanks. The main problem that I have with an open tank, is jumping fish. I am on a kind of shoestring budget and cannot afford to have fish on my floor. I will be running T5 ligting with a fan going across the water, so heat isn't a huge problem.

[Agu]

My solution for jumping fish is a partial hood. Top is completely open and there's eggcrate on both sides of the light.

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af52/ALukk/DSCN1592.jpg

[00Warpig00]

My 180 has glass tops. I have a decent skimmer. With my T5's in the summer heat build up was a big issue with the glass tops. Hope next summer is better. I just installed my LED kit and decided to hang the fixture from the ceiling about 9" above the glass tops. Should help allot with the heat. LED's less heat to start, heat rises and the fixture is not directly on the glass anymore. It's a FOWLR so I'm not too concerned with light levels as there seems to be enough light to see my fish.

Nick

[SushiGirl]

We have a tall canopy with screen across the back and the overflow is covered with pantyhose (30 minutes with a new fish made me do that part).

[windyridge]

Sushi, doesn't the pantyhose on your overflow run the risk of getting clogged leading to a flood?

[SushiGirl]

Nope. It's just stretched out across the top & held down with some small clips, no water runs through it. The area the water runs through is still open.