Tank covering

[jase75]

I have been doing some reading that most glass tops block some of the light you want in the tank, so I took mine off. I have some potential jumpers in my setup and would like some ideas on what to do. Egg crate is readily available, but still blocks some light. What other options do I have?

 

[cr500_af]

Glass tops also hold in major amounts of heat. Look for a thread in Reef Discussion by Acroholic about "light-friendly mesh tops". Should be on the first couple of pages.

 

[acroholic]

Ahem....ahem!!!! (click on link in my signature)

 

[cr500_af]

Scratch that... it's in DIY.

 

[drnecropolis]

Or you can click on Dave's signature.. LOL

 

[dartfrog]

I had a question about these tops. It's a great idea, but how well does it do keeping the tankwater from splashing on the lights? And does the water that evaporates deposit salt on your lights? I've just always been afraid to run an open top fearing i'd ruin the lights under the canopy. What's the experiance of others?

 

[weaglereefer]

Dartfrog;536864 wrote: I had a question about these tops. It's a great idea, but how well does it do keeping the tankwater from splashing on the lights? And does the water that evaporates deposit salt on your lights? I've just always been afraid to run an open top fearing i'd ruin the lights under the canopy. What's the experiance of others?

Water evaporates, salt doesn't.

Depending on how high your lights are, you shouldn't have any splashing going up that high, if you do, there's other issues. My foxface occasionally gets frisky with the nori and will splash my reflectors, but I haven't noticed any damage.

 

[drnecropolis]

My lights are atleast 12" off the tops so they (and the reflectors) stay clean as can be.. I've ran open topped for about 5 years with only one incident and it was my fault.. Hot bulbs crack when the reflector takes a swim in the tank..

 

[dartfrog]

I have always run glass tops...but its good to know I have options. How much light do you think i'm blocking/losing by using those (usually dirty) glass tops vs (always clean) mesh top?

 

[jase75]

Thanks for quick response, guys! Now, where do I find this mesh?

 

[courterbobby]

my experience, glass tops + 2 250w metal halides = shattered glass, which in turn equals me + hand in tank with broken glass = cut fingers = never a glass top again. I have been looking at the mesh tops, but I dont have any known jumpers yet.

 

[cr500_af]

jase75;536910 wrote: Thanks for quick response, guys! Now, where do I find this mesh?

PM Acroholic.

 

[mapleredta]

jase75;536910 wrote: Thanks for quick response, guys! Now, where do I find this mesh?

From Acroholic!!!!


EDIT: Barry beat me.

 

[thomas138]

+1 to all of the mesh tops posts. I Made mine just yesterday and was very simple, great for the temperature, and of course looks 100x better the the glass tops previously had on it! :yay:


p.s.

Thanks again Acroholic for the mesh =]

 

[thomas138]

+1 to all of the mesh tops posts. I Made mine just yesterday and it was very simple, great for the temperature, and of course looks 100x better the the glass tops previously had on it! :yay:


p.s.

Thanks again Acroholic for the mesh =]

 

[jase75]

cr500_af;536912 wrote: PM Acroholic.

I knew that :doh: