To Glass Or Not To Glass ?

[z28pwr]

I have my 150 gallon reef in the kitchen and will be covered via a canopy but was also thinking of buying a piece of glass from Home Depot and putting it on top to avoid stuff from falling into the water and reduce evaporation but then I was debating the light penetration loss that will occur with the glass there and especially when it get's dirty. I was also thinking acrylic but it scratches very easily and would probably melt with the halides. What do you guys think ?


Should I just put some eggcrate so that the fish won't jump out or should I put some glass on the top ?


Thanks.

[captexas]

When I first set up my 58, I kept the original glass top on it. I soon realized this was a mistake as 1) it reduces water evaporation thereby causing increased water temps and 2) the glass had to be cleaned constantly due to salt creep and was a pain to keep up with. If I were you I would just put some egg crate if you want to keep your fish from jumping out.

[JimT]

I do not like having the glass tops on a tank. I used to, but since I built my canopy, I have been able to remove the glass. The light is so much better, and I have never had a problem with fish jumping out since I made the canopy. The canopy is open topped too, and I get a nice wave reflection on the ceiling above the tank.

I would also refrain from using egg crate because it will reduce your light as much if not more than glass. If you have a canopy, there will be no need for the glass at all. Removing the glass will allow for greater light penetration and will also allow for evaporational cooling.

[VGB]

Eggcrate will actually help your lighting is used correctly.
It will concentrate light to an area.

If you look closely at eggcrate the squares are "funnel" shaped and if the larger side is place up, light will be concentrated to the center. Lighting around the edges may suffer.
This is why eggcrate is used with lighting.

[Reefdude]

I have a 250 watt halide and 2 95 watt VHO's over a 30 gallon with no glass top. I have drilled teh side of the canopy and installed a small fan and I also have a small clip on fan in the rear of the tank. My temp stays areound 82-83 and thats it. Running without glass tops is so much better...i get crazy rippling and love it.