glass tops

ok, I had no idea where to put this question, so I put it in here ...

I got my new tank and at the moment don't have proper glass tops for it. My old oceanic had tops, and of course I still have them. But they are too big (the top is just cut a little different on the tanks). So I decided I get the glass cut. It would be pretty simple since I only have to make them a little shorter. That's a lot cheaper than buying new all-glass tops.

But now I'm wondering. The glass is not "clear". It is kinda ribbled (on one side). And I'm thinking that maybe normal glass would be better?
I know, oceanic is a good company and they probably know what they are doing, but for me it doesn't make much sense.
Does anybody have an idea about that?

 

You don't want glass tops on reef tanks.  They inhibit oxygen exchange, prevent heat from escaping and have a negative effect on lighting.  

 

I agree with Amcarrig
No Glass

Jason

 

ok
but don't I need to put something between lamps and water?

 

[quote author=hoodoo link=board=General;num=1097688251;start=0#3 date=10/13/04 at 12:09:38]ok
but don't I need to put something between lamps and water?
[/quote]

Nope. Just make sure that your bulbs are far enough away from the water's surface that they don't get water splashed on them.

 

I don't use glass either, but be prepared for major evaporation. I'd consider some kind of float switch or auto evap system. FYI.

 

hm....
well, I can't have the bulbs real far away. But I could find a way for that. I guess I'm gonna get a float switch then... This is so stupid, I had one and threw it out I think :/
And I should get a RO unit too then I guess...

 

[quote author=amcarrig link=board=General;num=1097688251;start=0#1 date=10/13/04 at 11:10:53]You don't want glass tops on reef tanks.  They inhibit oxygen exchange, prevent heat from escaping and have a negative effect on lighting.  [/quote]
[smiley=argue.gif]
Not to be a pain in the ***. But, My LFS folks (have been reef keepers for 18+years and are TRUE hobbyists - not salesman - won't sell you some crap unless you really need it.) Sold me a glass top for my 46 gal bow-front reef tank. Does a glass top have that much of a significant impact on the tank? As far as Oxygen exchange - I think you mean Oxygen escape from the water - not exchange. I think for a true exchange to take place is that the atmospheric pressure in the room the tank is in has to be greater than the vapor pressure of the water evaporating from the tank. I agree with the heat escaping - the headspace between the glass top and the water surface will act as an insulator. But in the same time, will condense the H20 water molecules evaporating (or Oxygen escaping). A negative effect on lighting - I could see this to be a problem if you don't keep the glass clean and free from salt creep. Otherwise - not sure how much lambda (wavelength) you would be filtering from clean glass.
Is there any more info. about this? [smiley=book2.gif]
I really like my glass top - it keeps impurities from entering the tank i.e., my cat [smiley=smartass.gif]
Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks.

 

Here's some light reading

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/lighting/a/aa041100c.htm

How oxygen exhange works:

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-2086,subcat-PETS.html

 

Thanks amcarrig.

They are good articles - I prefer about.com article but lacks the specific information about the gas exchange. I think it is minimal since there is an headspace between the water and the glass along with moving water from the power heads. Now that I am curious about this (I never gave it any thought before now) I am going to do some more investigation about this concept of gas exchange vs covered/non-covered tank. Hhhhmmmm.

Weathersfield CT - nice town. I grew up in Trumbull CT, last resided in New Milford CT. Moved to GA about 6 years ago. Thanks again for the info.