glass cover

josh

josh

Active Member
Catherine,
Go and buy some eggcrate, cut it so it only rests on the left and right edges of the tank, not completley covering the tank. I have a few pics of what I mean off my tank if I could figure out how to post them here I would be happy to help.
try this
<a href="http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=33741688&photoID=34995686&security=azqvnQ" target="_blank">http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=showMyPhoto&albumID=33741688&photoID=34995686&security=azqvnQ</A>
 
reeferx

reeferx

Member
I'm a little confused about this switch. If the switch kicks on when the water level gets too low, how does the resevoir flow stop from getting too high in the sump? Is this swithc electric?? Does it plug into a regular outlet. What is the switch conected too, an electronic valve???
<hr></blockquote>
Reeflooker, the switch is mechanical. It doesn't need electricity. It has a floater on it like a toilet. So when the water gets high enough, the floater rises and the cuts off the water supply.
For everyone else worried about their glass top now, I am not saying that glass tops are all out bad. Just keep them clean so you get the most light through them. As long as heat is not an issue, use them if you want. A lot of people do. I just like the view from above and the fact that I get the additional benefits mentioned at the top of the thread.
I should mention that a glass 'lip' around the top of an open tank would be ideal to help prevent jumpers. I didn't have this and my goby jumped out.
Nice 'gutters' Javajoe! :cool:
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
I would not use the glass tops.
Rockster... glass thickness has little to do with light penetration. Glass used for aquariums and glass tops are coated with uv blocking chemicals, as are most household window glass. This is what blocks the light.
 
rockster

rockster

Member
Rendos, Who told you about coating on the glass covers? Support your statement with an article, I challenge you. I think we should be able to support our statements to be more credible.
 
josh

josh

Active Member
Hi,
Well they might be coated, but thickness does have something to do with penetration. That is why the tank looks different from the front through the glass and from the top. If nothing else, it refracts some of the light.
Josh
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
Rockster... it is the weekend, but next week I will go to the local glass place and get the details. Any local store that sells home windows can tell you if you are really interested in learning. But if it is just so you can Call Me Out, I will get the info for you next week.
 
rockster

rockster

Member
Educate me Rendos. MAke sure you get info on glass covers used in aquarium, not glass doors. There is a difference. Just so you know.
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
I have an email into All-Glass so I make sure to get the proper info for you, but in the meanwhile I have talked to Mike, the owner of Ocean View aquariums in Pascagoula, MS and he says that the aquarium glass covers that he makes effectively block up to 20% of light. He also said something that I didn't even mention... after a few weeks or months of running your aquarium, the buildup on the glass from salt creep and calcification will block even more light. Will update you with the info from All-glass.
 
reeflooker

reeflooker

Member
If glass blocks 20% of light, what do the poor old acrlyic people do?? Use 20% more light to get the same result??
 
wamp

wamp

Active Member
Found this on an Iguana web site:
>UV rays cannot pass through normal glass or >plastic. So if there is a plastic diffuser on >your fluorescent housing, remove it. If you >have a tank intended for fish, be sure to >remove the glass top. The tops for fish tanks >are coated with a UVA blocking material because >fish do not need these rays. The glass is >cheaper if bought in this form due to the mass >production of it. This is the same type found >on windows in your home. Iguanas need these UVA >rays to survive.
>You can order non-filtered glass tops from your >local glass house or LFS.
Dont know if it is the same type you guys are talking about, but, I figured I would post it anyway!
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
This is the email I sent to AGA and their response.

[hr]
Original Message

[hr]
From: Richard Rendos [mailto:rendos@charter.net]
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2002 8:16 PM
To: Info Info
Subject: glass used in aquarium tops
I have a question about the type of glass used in aquarium tops. Is it
coated with anything to block uv radiation? Will it block any
percentage of light from aquarium lights? I ask this because I am
setting up a reef tank with very expensive lighting and don't want to a
use glass top if it will block the light. Any info would be
appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Richard Rendos
----response----
Richard,
The standard glass filters out about 83% of the Ultra Violet rays. It
takes a special (solar glass) to capture at least 83% UV. That glass was
a lot more expensive than the standard green glass we use. In addition,
the solar glass is extremely brittle. It is weak and chips or cracks
easily. I do not know if any aquarium manufacturer is offering solar
glass versa-tops at this time. We had to discontinue using it because
most glass companies only run solar glass types once a year, and could
not meet our requirements for production.
Sincerely,
Charlene
Customer Service
All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc
info@allglass.com
 
richard rendos

richard rendos

Active Member
I would just like to add one thing to this...I am not mad at Rockster...he had a good point. A lot of what goes on this board is opinion NOT fact. I have had a lot of experience with this particular subject (glass tops) and did get the info from the experts. I would encourage everyone to do this. Don't just take advice for fact, do some research and ask the right people. Who are the right people? I don't know, but I hope the ones that I asked are.
But to answer the original topic, I would not use glass tops. That is my opinion. It would seem that All-Glass agrees. (sort of)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top