lid or no lid

fallout

fallout

Member
My tank didn't come with a lid. I was planning on making one out of plexiglass. My question is: Do I need a lid? Will it interfer with light transmission?
 
lexluethar

lexluethar

Active Member
Go no lid. It will not effect your lights, but it will effect your gas transfer within your tank, lowering PH and raising temp. Either go no top, or the top you put on should be egg crate.
 
mugg1977

mugg1977

Member
A clear plexi lid will not interfere with light transmission, so long as it is kept clean (salt spray will accumulate on the underside of the lid. The problem you may run into is with heat. The lid will hinder evaporation which is one of the best methods of heat transfer in a reef tank. With the lid, the heat could build up more in the tank, depending on your lights. What size and depth tank, and what tyoe and wattage of lights are you running? The heat transfer issue could be resolved with a fan on your sump, if you are running one. What type of filter are you running?
 
fallout

fallout

Member
I have a 65 gallon tank that is 24" deep. I don't have lights yet. I plan to set up a reef tank and I have not decided what type of lights to go with yet. Any suggestions?
 
ci11337

ci11337

Active Member
look into T5's as for lids, many of the colorful peaceful fish we like to put into our reefs are prone to jump when startled. There is nothing worse than finding your awesome fairy wrasse all dry on the floor in the morning,.
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
Be sure and go with the thicker plexiglass. The thinner stuff will warp under the heat of your light and become useless. Personally, I would simply have a glass shop cut glass plates instead, if they have some used glass its usually pretty cheap. Your LFS store should be able to get you the plastic hinge material or you can order it on line.
 
prk543

prk543

Member
Do you have a cat or any other pet that will get on top of your tank? I have a glass top on my tank because my cat will occasionally decide that it wants to lay on my lights...
The last thing I need is to come home to an angry soaked cat

If you don't have any pets like a cat, then its really up to you, I was limited on my options. Since I have a nano, and all of my equipment is HOB, I have a gap at the back of my tank where I can have some gas exchange.
Prk543
 
cpg

cpg

Member
Got a lid on 29...no lid on 72..the only downfall in my situtation is dogs..so dog hair sometimes floates around in there
 
ironeagle2006

ironeagle2006

Active Member
My 150 is lid less and so far nothing has jumped out of course my cat helps by trying to fish and they know we leave the tank we are dinner for that furry thing out there.
 
fallout

fallout

Member
where can I get some eggcrate? I looked a Homedepot and the guy looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him what isle the eggcrate could be found on.
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
Originally Posted by fallout
http:///forum/post/2517932
where can I get some eggcrate? I looked a Homedepot and the guy looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him what isle the eggcrate could be found on.
Its called something like Light Diffuser, It covers normal flou. lighting..
 
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