Do you run glass tops inside your canopies?

[finn-a-gin]

Or will this seriously affect the lighting reaching any depth.
I am planning out a retro-fit and looking at all options.
Finns

 

[thomas712]

No as it can trap heat,
lower oxygen,
grow algea on the glass which will reduce your lighting penitration.
Bad idea IMO.
Thomas

 

[reefraff]

It depends on how high your lights are above the water. I have t5 reto that is about 3 inches up and I have to keep the glass on the tank to keep the spray off the lights. If your lights have a cover it isn't an issue.

 

[finn-a-gin]

I have 3 inches of clearance between light and glass.
My sump is open to atmosphere with just egg crate.I guess i will have to factor in a protective lens for lighting. Thanks.
Finns

 

[logan15]

nope traps gas bad oxygen exchange

 

[reefraff]

As long as your sump is open the only issue to worry about with glass over the tank would be trapping heat. The sump will provide more than enough gas exchange.

 

[eeyrg]

Originally posted by reefraff
As long as your sump is open the only issue to worry about with glass over the tank would be trapping heat. The sump will provide more than enough gas exchange.
right, but glass tops can also degrade the quality of your lighting, too...

 

[reefnut]

I think you get more gas exchange from the surface of the tank than the surface of a sump. How big is the sump?
I wouldn't put a top on it. They are not necessary IMO.

 

[finn-a-gin]

Tank is 140 and sump is 30.
I will have to figure out my lighting with tops off.
Thanks for everyones input.
Finns

 

[reefraff]

If your glass tops are two piece with a hinge connecting them together you have another option. You could just remove the hinge and use one piece of the glass centered under your lights. You would still need to watch for algae or salt build up but it should be minimal because you have open areas on each side of the glass for evaporation. My tank has a couple inches open at the back running the length of the tank and I get very little condensation on the glass tops.

 

[xtant]

what about for Firefish and evaporation? I've noticed evap about 3 times faster with out top. I use my top to protect my lights also

 

[xtant]

never mind i don't have a canopy

 

[mpls man]

OK, so my question is, i do have a canopy on my 75, would i get more out of my lights by taking the glass out. my corallife light has 3" feet on them, which would bring them about 4" from the water would i still have a lot of water evaporate from the tank, this sounds like a good idea if it wouldn't cause a problem with the lights, open for sug.:thinking:

 

[largeload]

Has anyone seen the display at Lowes that shows the difference between normal glass and low E glass. It shows a solar powered bulb with a windlike vane inside and the low E was really cranking compared to the normal glass. I wonder if for those of us not running high temps and not wanting to deal with evaporation or fish baling out if this would be a good option and if you can buy it .