hood

what is everyone useing as a hood? ive had freshwater tanks and had many different hoods. is there anyone i should have cause i dont want open water in my house with all the animals i have. should i build a cover for my tank so nothing gets in it? i remember with a freshwater tank i had we had a glass hood on it but im in a area now that doesnt have a lot of fish stores around. again im starting a 55 gal tank. thank you very much for help.

 

I rock an open top. I have a dog that sheds but it has not been an issue. BRS has a screen top kit you can build. Keeping a reef tank covered can build heat but having it open can let jumpers jump. I just stay away from fish that jump.

 

i have a open top with a canopy that has a open back, i would build your self one if you can, but i think having a glass top with no air being able to get throw will not help your ph stay leveled or your oxygen levels could become low at one point.

 

I was reluctant like you when I started out to go to a open top. If a totally open top is something you dont want, maybe egg crate is an option. egg crate (aka light diffuser as its called at lowes & home depot) is a square grid some people use. I have some I put on at night & when I am away from the house. It can help some larger fish from carpet surfing if they get the urge. Anyways its just a plastic grid with like 1/2" squares. Its only a couple bucks at the hardware stores but only comes in white. I found the white to be very bright under my T5's and had to move to black from bulkreefsupply.com. eggcrate will reduce the light going into the tank a little bit, but it is a better option that a closed top, or a glass top like on fw tanks. An open top of as much as you can get one if very benficial becuase of the air contact & gas exchange you get.