Aquarium Hood

hi,
I am wanting to put either a glass top or plexi glass top on my aquarium.
I know people say you won't get good gas exchange when you do this but is there anyway I can still put a lid on it but still get good gas exchange? like put an airstone in it or something?
I really need a lid as I have birds in my room as well and I don't want their feathers to get in the aquarium water.
Thanks

 

Hello, yes, there is always a huge debate about closed/open tops. I used closed for 22 years and only recently went to half closed. The gas exchange can come from good agitation of the water surface via a power head or two and a protein skimmer. If you have both of these all the better. I prefer glass to plastic for a more pure penetration of the light. You will lose very little as far as light, contrary to belief, light diminishing will be minimal.

 

well I wanted to use plexi glass so I could drill and cut out pieces so my equipment cords would fir through the glass.

 

Your title says a hood but your description is a lid. Which do you want? :-/ I would suggest with a hood - cabinet type - the top of the hood can protect from birds while you don't actually have a lid between your lights and the water or whatever.

 

I meant lid.
I don't have a problem with the birds getting in the water, just with their feathers. So it would need to be pretty solid if possible.