cover or no cover?

vibbertations

vibbertations

New Member
It seems like when I find the answer to something I'm looking for, I find myself asking another question!
So here it goes....
I've got a 75G tank that's been set up for 2 months. about 70lbs live rock, 75lbs live sand. protein skimmer, mechanical filter, and a powerhead....
I have recently took the plunge and added some corals....
green polyps
hammerhead
candycane
I was reading about not having your tank covered. I believe it was said that it allows gas exchange.
Is this a big deal, or can I carry on as I have been, or just replace the cover with some kind of egg crate plastic thing?
Thanks for all replies....
 
cam78

cam78

Active Member
I heard both arguments. I have a cover that has a 2 inch opening in the rear for heater, filter return ect... have had no problems at all since January so I would say both. Have a cover with an opening in rear. This way there is some escape for whatever needs to escape but enough cover to keep fish in and less evaporation. I could not imagine how much evaporation there is without a cover. I fill my tank every day with the cover.
 
costa13

costa13

Member
Do not put a cover, and yes the gas exchange is very important to you tank. Also your tanks temp will also raise. Why do want to put a cover on?
 
reeffreakgeek

reeffreakgeek

Member
If you have fish that like to jump then definitely a cover.If not leave it off,better lights for the corals.I never had a problem in the past using a cover,it did have a couple inches of open space towards the back.
 
seasalt101

seasalt101

Active Member
put egg-crate on as a cover no more jumpers and plenty of gas exchange, how much evaporation are we talkin about?...tobin
 
vibbertations

vibbertations

New Member
On my 29G, I have to add 3 gallons of water a week, so when I set up the 75G, I made it to where there was hardly any evaporation.
But it looks like I'm gonna be buying some egg crate to put over it instead....
I've got a pencil wrasse which is the reason I need a cover...
Thanks for all the responses!
 
estein02

estein02

Member
If a cover is necessary, and you have a sump that is not covered, does that help with the gas exchange?
 
hatessushi

hatessushi

Active Member
Originally Posted by estein02
If a cover is necessary, and you have a sump that is not covered, does that help with the gas exchange?
Yes, you will get gas exchange in the sump also, whether it is enough is another thing.
I use egg crate and I add top off water at about a few quarts a day on my 90 gallon acrylic tank.
 
azaintcold

azaintcold

Member
Originally Posted by estein02
love the sarcasm...I thought that it was a valid question for this topic.

Sorry to hurt the feelings, to answer your question, it is always good to go without a glass top on the display tank for the gas exchange inside the main tank. If a top is absolutely necessary I would opt for eggcrate. This will also help keep a stable temperature.
As far as the sump being open and the tank not, I would think the gas exchange is minimal in the sump compared to the DT.
 
azaintcold

azaintcold

Member
Originally Posted by HatesSushi
Yes, you will get gas exchange in the sump also, whether it is enough is another thing.
I use egg crate and I add top off water at about a few quarts a day on my 90 gallon acrylic tank.
beat me to it.
 
estein02

estein02

Member
I guess I posted my last reply too soon...I love AZ!
The only reason I piped in on this thread is that we have 2 cats, 1 who is a terror, and I just feel more comfortable with the glass top rather then the egg crate.
 
vibbertations

vibbertations

New Member
ok....I don't have a sump...just another tank setup...but thanks for all the responses...I took the glass covers off and replaced with egg crate....
...now just gotta make a door for it!
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
I was thinking of posting a thread about this very thing and came across this conversation...
I have a 3 year old and when I setup my next tank won't want to go "topless" though was worried about using egg-crate. Does it cast a shadow from the lighting or dim the light at all? I'm only going to be using 260 w PC lighting on a 55gallon, if that helps. Also would a small firefish be able to squeeze through the holes?
Thanks!
 
vibbertations

vibbertations

New Member
There is a definite difference in the light it casts, but its not bad....It also makes it a little harder to drip calcium since I'm afraid I'm gonna break the egg crate....I'm adding about 8 gallons of water a week now....but all in all, its not bad...Go for it...
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
I had problems with ph swings until i replaced my glass tops with light diffuser (egg crate) you can find it at any store like menards or home depot.
I have it on my 210 and have had no issues with it and like i said it made my ph alot more stable, only thing i can think of is due to improved gas exchange.
No issues with shadows, etc. par value went up without the glass tops on.
 
symon

symon

Member
Originally Posted by CGRANT
I had problems with ph swings until i replaced my glass tops with light diffuser (egg crate) you can find it at any store like menards or home depot.
I have it on my 210 and have had no issues with it and like i said it made my ph alot more stable, only thing i can think of is due to improved gas exchange.
No issues with shadows, etc. par value went up without the glass tops on.
The last sentance of this quote makes alot of sense to me, You should actually get more light into your tank with the eggcrate, glasstops with eveporated water on it would not allow full light to make it through! I think anyway! :thinking:
 
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