quick question

so i was wondering... is there any reason why most aquariums are open top? can i just have a covered tank and not have to deal with evaporation?

 

well, there are few reasons for it. Here are the reasons I chose an open top before and chose to go that route again for my upcoming set-up:
#1 less heat - close systems preserve more heat.
#2 light - my LED fixture should be kept 8"-10" above water level. If you choose to go with MH you need to keep the fixture even farther from water level as they export lots for heat and you don't want to fry your corals. If you want a close tank you will need a pretty tall canopy what brings me to reason #3 - aesthetics - I think it just looks better.
#4 easy access to tank - best for WC and other maintenance.

If you have an ATO you shouldn't be too concerned about evaporation.

 

I use a screen top I made myself. BRS sells kits




-Alex-

 

Very useful against jumpers. No one wants to wake up and find their cats playing with a beef jerky (true story)

 

Very true.... Was reason why we went to them. Went 2 years no jumpers, then had 3 in 2 months time. And 2 were fish we has for a year or more.

These are very simple to make. And if you have a dremmel with a cutting wheel makes it even simpler.


-Alex-

 

I've always used a full hood or glass cover on all of my tanks with no problems. One just needs to ensure that it's not airtight, and keep it clean.

 

im an open top person, i think it helps with gas exchange

 

Open tops are nice, however, IME, about the only fish that can't jump from a tank are SH...even lions and bottom-dwelling scorps are very capable jumpers, and there's nothing like looking around for a carpet surfing venomous fish at 3:30 AM wile half asleep.

We've learned that you really need to cover everything, and eggcrate or the 1/4" mesh poly screen don't inhibit gas exchange. We've spent years finding some of our fishes, and it would really suck to lose one over an uncovered tank.

JM .02

 

so the only negative is aesthetics and possible overheating?

 

What kind of mesh is that and where did you get it?

Those are two potential negatives. The aesthetics is a person choice. I prefer a closed top but that's just me. Both have benefits and drawbacks. You just have to decide what works best for you. Another negative to the canopy is the weight of it with lights attached and the trouble of trying to get into the tank to do maintenance with a heavy top on it.