Metal Halide users click here

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by ali1, Oct 26, 2010.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. ali1

    ali1 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2010
    Messages:
    279
    Need your help MH users.

    I been looking around the web for people's opinions on having glass lids over the tank or open top. Some people claim it cracked their glass tops because of their MH fixture and others fried their fish. I don't see how I was just going to buy lids for this tank until i read most MH users don't have glass lids. you can fry your fish as my thought was adding a glass lid would help alleviate some of the heat going in the tank.

    I wanted to use glass lids to prevent some evaporation and keep my fish from jumping out the tank. I know poor gas exchange, but my sump will be open top. Is there people that run glass lids with MH with no issues? thickness of the glass matters? is there an alternative to glass lids besides mesh and acrylic as I see those would easily warp.



    Tank is a 125G with 3x250MH 4x39T5s


    appreciate any advice.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    I've never tried glass lids with my halides, but you are right that plastics would get soft and warp.
     
  4. ali1

    ali1 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2010
    Messages:
    279
    so how do MH users cover their tank? or they dont...
     
  5. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    Messages:
    5,926
    Location:
    Colorado
    I would try glass as thick as you can find it. Some of the biocubes come with glass under halides and they work fine.
     
  6. ccscscpc

    ccscscpc Millepora

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2010
    Messages:
    943
    Location:
    CT
    I have MH and dont cover my tank. I use fans blowing across the top of the tank to cool things down.

    There is a built in glass brace in the center of my tank but its only like 16'' across the top.

    I would not use glass tops, if you want to cover your tank to prevent fish from jumping, people have used eggcrate or screens to accomplish this.
     
  7. jkat21

    jkat21 Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2009
    Messages:
    1,379
    Location:
    S.I. N.Y
    I would say most don't.and its prob due to heat issues.I have mine open top,otherwise it would get to hot(usully summer issue)..I could see the glass tops prob stop a little light penetration but prob not to much..
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. Bunner

    Bunner Bubble Tip Anemone

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2008
    Messages:
    684
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    i dont cover mine. besides the glass would just get caked with salt creep and slowl (unless you clean it weekly) they like getting through will diminish.
     
  10. ali1

    ali1 Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2010
    Messages:
    279
    interesting. so MH users don't run glass tops huh?

    Wouldn't egg crate just warp like acrylic and mesh?
     
  11. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2009
    Messages:
    19,258
    Location:
    Sparks, NV
    Yes unless the lights are well above the water
     
  12. Hiltonc57

    Hiltonc57 Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2010
    Messages:
    156
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    I run a glass top with my MH and i think everyones fun of it. i have 2 175 HQI on my 46 bow front 8 inch of the tank in a canopy i made. Glass has never cracked, never get crap on, besides salt but salt gets every where anyways. I have no heat issues and no gas issues. there is enough happing in the open sump and with the skimmer. I run fans across the bulbs to keep them cool and makes them have a longer life...