[jtravapd]

just curious, i got my wooden cabinet top for the tank today (was on back order), my lights are on legs and do not sit on the glass cover...should i take the glass covers off now that i have the wooden cover?...i kinda like not loosing alot of water to evaporation with the glass covers on..i know with them off, ill probablly lose water at a high rate...but i heard the glass takes away some of the power the light is giving off, any suggestions or info on the subject would be great..thanks..

[pogodzib]

Negatives: Removing the glass will increase the evaporation rate

Positives: Your tank will stay cooler during the summer
More light (Lums) will get to your corals
FYI - there still should some type of glass or plastic between the bulbs and the tank
May lower your tank's CO2 level, hence raising your pH

Only you can answer your own question. If you are looking for a way to keep your tank's temp down during the summer or looking to increase the growth rate of your corals, by all means take the glass off. If you are happy with the way things are going with your tank, leave the glass on. FYI - most people with reef tanks remove the glass.

[glampka]

Definitely would remove the glass. You'll get better gas exchange between the water & air. Having to add some additional water because of evaporation is minor compared to the benefits.

[sarha]

i agree with glampka 100%

[Krazy]

I agree with Glampka as well

[Taras1]

I have to disagree w/Glampka. The benefit of temperature control vs. losing livestock might be a price too high to pay. Make sure your fishes are not jumpers - years ago I lost a Royal Gramma and several Blue Line Gobies to the family room floor. I keep a lid on it. There is special made glass which does not cut down on the UV lighting.

My current setup includes a Scott's Fairy Wrasse who's a real jumper!!! It loves to jump up from the bottom of the tank to grab its food when I feed my fishes.

[jtravapd]

Originally Posted by Taras1

I have to disagree w/Glampka. The benefit of temperature control vs. losing livestock might be a price too high to pay. Make sure your fishes are not jumpers - years ago I lost a Royal Gramma and several Blue Line Gobies to the family room floor. I keep a lid on it. There is special made glass which does not cut down on the UV lighting.

My current setup includes a Scott's Fairy Wrasse who's a real jumper!!! It loves to jump up from the bottom of the tank to grab its food when I feed my fishes.

i agree, thats why i waited until now...now i have a wooden canopy cover..so unless the fish jump out the back of the tank they are gonna fall back into the water....im gonna keep the glass on until i can get a water purifier so i can add water whenever i need to...

[Danakor]

check your local hardware store. I believe it is called egg crate but basically it is a cross hatched plastic that you can use on top of your aquarium...it gives you the best of both worlds.

[Taras1]

Originally Posted by Danakor

check your local hardware store. I believe it is called egg crate but basically it is a cross hatched plastic that you can use on top of your aquarium...it gives you the best of both worlds.

Not a bad idea! What about salt creep?

[jtravapd]

Originally Posted by Danakor

check your local hardware store. I believe it is called egg crate but basically it is a cross hatched plastic that you can use on top of your aquarium...it gives you the best of both worlds.

very good idea...i had to use that under my waterfall outside on my pond...the damn fish kept eating bugs that were under the pond and kept getting stuck under the overhanging waterfall..egg crate worked like a charm...i wonder how many times the fish jumped into it, before they realized it was there...lol.

[Danakor]

not sure exactly what salt creep is other than the build up of salt caused by the evaporating wtaer. in which case all you would have to do is get a nylon brush with semi ruff bristles and pull off the top scrub it down with hot water and then put it back up.