All-Plastic Hood?? I'm losing h20 fast!

[acpants]

I had a tank given to me-- and after getting all the saltwater stuff for christmas, found out the hood is broken. I have a GLO lighting system that attatches to the sides of the tank and rests about 3-4 inches above the top of my tank, but i need a hood that will allow for the light's clamps on the sides!
The only thing I can think of is to get an all-plastic one and cut out small rectangles on the sides for the clamps where needed... but I can't find on for a 20G tall tank {24" wide} -- any suggestions or ideas? I'm losing salt water/salt really fast!!
Here is the way it is now-[with broken hood]-

 

[bigarn]

How often are you topping off?

 

[acpants]

about once a week--
salt builds up on the edges of the tank top/edges--
either way its a broken hood, i need a replacement, but a normal hood wont fit with the light clamps....

 

[bigbills]

You could probably go to Home Depot and get a sheet of acrylic, then cut it down to the right size. I think the most you'll pay is $20, depending on the thickness.

 

[bigarn]

I don't know what to tell you about the lights but that's normal evaporation if you're topping off only once a week. Try every other day.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by bigarn
http:///forum/post/2462726
I don't know what to tell you about the lights but that's normal evaporation if you're topping off only once a week. Try every other day.
I top off every day, personally. Not sure if it's something about the lack of humidity in winter but I definitely need to.
You're better off not having a plastic cover and just topping off, it's normal, we all have to do it. There's better gas exchange when you don't have a solid cover, which is better for pH, dissolved oxygen, etc.

 

[acpants]

So are you suggesting no cover/hood then?
If i went with a crafty home-styled home depot plastic one, there would be air going in through holes in the back of the filter/wires, etc-- but you suggest this is not enough? Or i could also leave an inch gap in the front? I am basically trying to avoid water splashing on my light, too much salt evaporating?

 

[wangotango]

Originally Posted by acpants
http:///forum/post/2462761
So are you suggesting no cover/hood then?
If i went with a crafty home-styled home depot plastic one, there would be air going in through holes in the back of the filter/wires, etc-- but you suggest this is not enough? Or i could also leave an inch gap in the front? I am basically trying to avoid water splashing on my light, too much salt evaporating?
I wouldn't use any cover either. The majority of hobbyists either leave the top open, or put a sheet of egg crate over the top. You can find it in the lighting section of Home Depot of Lowes.
-Justin

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/2462775
I wouldn't use any cover either. The majority of hobbyists either leave the top open, or put a sheet of egg crate over the top. You can find it in the lighting section of Home Depot of Lowes.
-Justin

Egg crate can be easily cut in forms to go around your wiring or hang-on filter/skimmer. It looks like this:

 

[dragonzim]

Leave it open and get some eggcrate from Home Depot or Lowes. The official name of the stuff is lighting diffuser panels and can be found in the lighting department.

 

[oceansidefish]

I have a 60g with a 30g sump and I dont use a hood, I loose about a gallon a day. I had a 24g and topped off just about everyday.

 

[teresaq]

Salt dosent evaporate. Only water. the salt you see around the edges is normal salt creep, just wipe it off. Your tank water is really low. It should be filled all the way to the top. If you arent toping off everyday, keep a close eye on the sg It should not have lrg swings.
T

 

[acpants]

thanks so much-- thanks to all!!