Glass Lid and Gas Exchange Question

Ya I don't think under the tank in a closed stand is enough ventilation. Unless you add a fan or something to keep airflow threw it. I have on open top, and even with that my PH drops in the winter when I have no windows open.

 

what do you mean closed stand? My stand is open in the back, but you are right, my sump is tucked in there out of view. Would a skimmer provide enough water movement for the gas exchange?

 

Yes under you tank, even with the open back there is very little air movement under there. You would be surprised how much CO build up effects the gas exchange. The only real way to tell is try it. Just keep a close eye on the PH, and fish. If PH is always low our your fish show signs of stress then you might have to remove the glass top.

 

I have a glass covered 72 and its compleatly covered with no O2 issues it gets plenty of exchange from the sump / skimmer

 

I have limited knowledge, but I would think the lid is okay. I mean, would they sell them if they suffocated the fish? Try it out, I'm sure you'll be able to tell if the fish are having issues.

 

Absolutely they would. there are a ton of bogus products on the market. just bc it's for sale does not mean it's safe.

having said that, the needs of a reef tank and a freshwater tank are not the same (i'm sure you know that) so a lid that might work for one won't necessarily work for another.

I do agree, you won't know until you try it and even if it doesn't work, there are solutions. Don't let this stop you.

 

I just mean that if they suffocated fish, people wouldn't buy them, they would lose money on them, and they would stop making and selling them.

But yes, they might work fine for freshwater and not saltwater.

Only way to know is to try it out!

 

I think you'll be fine with a sump and skimmer, although I would take all of the caution others have talked about to heart as well. You will probably want to make sure you get good surface agitation in the sump though to improve gas exchange down there.
The biggest issue I see is that you'll end up having to clean the glass top all the time so it doesn't block light. That's one big difference between fresh and saltwater, saltwater can dirty a piece of glass in a few days enough where it will dramatically decrease the light getting through because it will leave behind a salt crust every time a little splash or bubble bursts on the surface of the water.

 

I agree with screw on that. My T5's are on legs and have a removable plastic shield... I pull that and clean it once a month and it's just caked in salt. ugh.

 

I like how i dont have to clean the plastic shield on my lighting , its way easier to break out the razorblade and clean the glass every once in a while