Glass Cover ??

I have seen some say cover on...and some say cover off ?? I have seen some pretty questionable set-ups with lightening as well.....My question is.... What happens to the people/fish who take cover off....and in the process of feeding or accidential bumping of the tank the light falls in ??

Do you actually gain that much better light emersion in the water with the glass cover off to justify the potential hazard of the light falling in??

I inderstand a canopy would fix this question, but if I don't have a canopy then is it worth taking the glass off for better lighting?? Am I really gaining anything? or Just waiting for an aaccident to happen??

sorry...new to the SW Hobby

THanks

 

That is where you get your gas exchange for the water (oxygen) I never cover a SW tank.

 

ive got my metal halides hanging over mine i have no covers at all just open to pwith lites hangin

 

Good Point ...I do remember reading that, thanks for the headsup.....but I'm still concerned about the hazard ...I'm thinking glass cover off....mounting legs on...and a safety chain to roof.....so I can sleep at night !!

I have a fear that Wife is going to move something and " SPLASH " ....I work graves and nobody else at home with her....

Thanks for the response!

 

Reduced light and gas exchange and possible elevated water temperature with the use of a glass cover.

 

+1. The lighting is about the least important issue when it comes to glass tops.
BTW, Most lighting systems have very sturdy legs, and won't just fall over if you bump them. Either that, or they are hung from the ceiling. And even if they did fall, a glass cover probably wouldn't offer much protection, as many lighting systems are fairly heavy.

 

SW glass off for multi reasons from personal experiances. I'm sure others may agree. Esspecially with saltwater systems, you get a brighter & cleaner shine from your lighting without a glass cover, it builts up salt from the heat & spray from the SW. The glass cover will fog up with salt & a pain to clean. Winter not bad, but Summer is the HEAT! A tank with the cover on holds the heat in the tank. I've had my tank at 92 degrees with me now filling ziplock bags with ice (trust me this works!) & putting it in my tank to cool off the tank FAST! That was with a T5, a MH you'll cook it.

Most lighting fixtures come with very good supports. Either hang it from the ceiling, leg supports to the tank, or I had mine strapped with black zipties to the canopy. As for a canopy, mine had open gaps to vent. I have a Bengal Cat, thus the reason for the canopy. He loves water & loves heights. When I have a FW, him & when his sister was alive would go swimming in my tank.

Keep in mind two things. One you might still have to add a fan to the top of the tank to cool off the air from left to right, esspecially with a MH. Second you will have greater water loss from evaporation from not having a cover. Personally I'd rather have water loss & a bright cool tank, then having a dull looking & hot temped tank.

John

 

I have my lights hanging from the roof, but the stands they give are pretty sturdy. If you're still worried you could put egg crate on the top of the tank. This will keep things from falling in. While the egg crate is not real sturdy, If some one hits the tank hard enough to knock the light off the stand and then through the egg crate pull the light out of the tank and smack them upside the head with it... (said all in fun of course)

 

The Roof? The the heck do you have for lighting that would require that kind of support?? lol....;D

 

LOL-- The Ceiling.. Yeah they hang from the roof with tow chains!!!

I was actually worred about this when I built my tank as well. Once I got it set up you really do see how sturdy things are.