another noob question

[aaronfeeney]

Why go topless? why not use the glass tops for our reef tanks?

 

[dtd87]

Gas exchange

 

[aaronfeeney]

hmmm, I'll have to read up on that

 

[Krish]

Also traps heat in the tank if heat is something you are concerned with.

 

[Chichas01]

and you'll spend a lot of time cleaning salt off the glass to allow light to get to your corals.

 

[jrgilles]

With metal halides above the tank, it turns it into an oven. Also no gas exchange

 

[returnofsid]

Fish can't jump out.

Oh wait.... everything mentioned above! The ONLY time I'd ever consider dressing my tank in a top, would be if I had fish that are notorious jumpers.

 

[aaronfeeney]

Sounds like several good reasons to leave the top open

 

[badger126]

I heard somewhere(can't seem to find it) that the rate of gas exchange in saltwater vs. freshwater is 50%(something like that) lower. Also that saltwater has a much lower capacity to hold oxygen, meaning that we have to do as much as we can to facilitate the gas exchange in our aquariums. This is one of the primary dangers of power outages - oxygen depletion - without the current provided by powerheads/filters/pumps the oxygen in our aquariums is quickly used up and livestock can die. So to get back on topic, anything that you can do to help with oxygen exchange, like run without lids, is helpful to your tank.

Also the glass on your lids cuts down on the light entering your aquarium. The more light the better. One solution that many use is to purchase a fine netting made of clear plastic and use a screen frame to construct lids that allow for oxygen flow and keep fish in the tank but don't cut down on light much.

 

[Ichthys]

Jumping Fish

I found a solution to the jumping fish issue. I just keep this poster next to the tank..

 

[aaronfeeney]

Thats great, scare them into submission.

 

[Somethings Fishy]

seems like you could get away with having a top if you have a sump (for gas exchange). I just got a new t5 MH Led combo light for my 40 gall and am a little nervous for summer. Have a lot of watts for a 40.

 

[Katchupoy]

Also because of heavy condensation, the glass side where it faces water will fog up so fast that it blocks your lighting.