Solana / cube tank tops .. stock glass, open-top, screen or ??
- Thread starter Gort
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Brie
BRA
I've thought about doing that. There's an optional wood trim kit that you can buy for the solana, and you could just take out the glass and put in a panel of mesh if you wanted to.
Current USA Modern Solana Wood Frame Trim Kit
*also i'm still using the glass top that comes with it, although I hate it. Hard to get on and off for daily feeding, etc. But it keeps evap down and the fish in. So *shrug*. I also notice it alters the color of the light passing through it, since i'm assuming its cheap glass.
Current USA Modern Solana Wood Frame Trim Kit
*also i'm still using the glass top that comes with it, although I hate it. Hard to get on and off for daily feeding, etc. But it keeps evap down and the fish in. So *shrug*. I also notice it alters the color of the light passing through it, since i'm assuming its cheap glass.
Of course either version negates the rimless look - which methinks is kinda cool. What fish should I beware of that are jumpers?
Brie
BRA
yeah exactly.
And um. All of them? :lol: But specifically, wrasses, gobies, jawfish, blennies...
So - do the open-topper just have to "deal" with losing fish? :violin:
Emerald525
Well-known member
I have the DIY screen similar to BRS on my solana. I don't think it ruins the look of the solana after losing several fish from jumping.
Would you happen to have a photo of the Solana w/screen to send along?
Looks good. What type of screen did you use?
Scooterman
Well-known member
Yes, Open top benefits you in many ways, people used closed tops for FW tanks many, many years and they want to do the same for a reef tank. Let me tell you even FW I'd go open top because of all that I've learned about having an open top.
1.) More water evaporation = More cooling naturally
2.) Open top equals quicker gas exchange, this seems like it isn't that important but it greatly helps the tank, allowing the tank to breath, means healthier water and that means healthier tank mates!
3.) Lighting isn't restricted, we already can't create as much light as the sun in the first place, why would you want to reduce it even more?
4.) If you had a cover, you have to clean it daily almost to keep optimal light penetration, otherwise it will get splashed water over it and moisture droplets from added heat. This all reduces the light through the cover.
The biggest downfall is jumping fish and the possibility of contamination from the air/room etc If you sprayed something etc like that in the room.
Purely my Opinion but it does have some science behind it, along with personal experience. Also it looks so much better without the top, how many oceans do you see covered? :blabla:
Emerald525
Well-known member
Here's a picture with the screen. The tank is broken down now because I'm selling it and putting in a frag tank instead.
Gort,
I bought a screen kit and some garden netting from McClendon's. The netting is UV resistant and meant to keep birds and critters out of your yard. I think it cost me about 20 dollars or so and I have tons of netting left over.
I bought a screen kit and some garden netting from McClendon's. The netting is UV resistant and meant to keep birds and critters out of your yard. I think it cost me about 20 dollars or so and I have tons of netting left over.
I'll probably take that route too - is it 1/2" or 1/4" netting?
Methinks the HD black "bird netting" is 1/2" .. BRS sells some clear 1/4" stuff
