leaving off the glass conopy..

[saltymom]

..If the lights are directly over the water, and if salt is such a pain on the glass conopy, is it Not easier to clean the residue off the conopy than directly off the lightbulbs? Or am I missing sumthin important? Since I dont know Yet...is the residue impossible to remove once its on there?

 

[buzz]

You can remove the residue, and personally I think it is easier to remove from the glass tank cover than the bulbs. The salt kind of bakes on to the bulb and can be difficult to remove.
How close to the water are your lights? 2, 5, 8 inches?
If not "that" close, I prefer not having the glass over the tank. Better gas exchange and heat dissipation, not to mention light penetration into the tank.

 

[saltymom]

BUzz..its not set up yet. and, from what I think..this is a corner tank, a hex...and the lights are going to have to lay right on top of the glass..unless they are to be suspended from the ceiling.

 

[exotickeeper]

I agree with Buzz. Putting a glass top on the tank is not a good idea because it reduces the uv and rays that pentrate through the deep water. Many of the more powerful lights generally come with a plexi glass cover for the bulbs. I have my 155 reef glass top free!:yes:

 

[buzz]

You may want to have a canopy built for it. That way you can elevate the lights, and hide the fixtures, etc. Lights sitting right on it I assume would be standard flourescent lights, or am I wrong? If so, I don't know what your plans are for the tank, but it would have to pretty much be fish only, no corals. And if you upgrade the lights, you may not want them sitting on the glass covers due to heat.

 

[jrittz]

I believe there are several factors when considering top or no top. One, what are you going to have in the tank? There are many fish out there that have the chance of jumping out. There are also eels that will most definatly climb out without hesitation. Water levels are another key factor.
If you elect to go without a top, you will have a lot more water evaporation. This isnt bad but, depending on your lighting, may have to top the water off every day or every other day.
There are many other things to consider when asking the question but here are just a few things to keep in mind.
HTH
Jrittz

 

[saltymom]

Originally posted by Buzz
I assume would be standard flourescent lights, or am I wrong? If so, I don't know what your plans are for the tank, but it would have to pretty much be fish only, no corals.
I bought the second most expensive power compact that guy could order that would fit the top of that tank. He said it would be next to the best thing I could buy. He said it would b fine for some corals.
So maybe a custom built canopy will be the way I have to go...I guess I will just have to wait and see when I have the actual pieces in my hands this weekend. (thats when the order comes in..Friday)
I havent even seen the things Ive already paid for. Not even in a book.
:notsure:

 

[buzz]

Well in that case, yeah. Wait and see. It may fit well when you get it all put together anyway.