Lid Vs No Lid On Tank

S

salth2osmoker

Guest
Hey guys I currently got a 125 gallon reef tank with no top. Going with 2 200w halides 14k. I want to put a top on it so I can get purple dart fish. Is having a glass lid on my tank so they dont jump out okay? Besides the temperature getting higher? Also which is best type to put on there? Glass or something else?
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Glass will trap heat in by not allowing cooling from surface and also prevent gas exchange. Try eggcrate. You can buy a 4' X 8' sheet at Home Depot or Lowes, then cut it to fit your tank. It's found over in the lighting section of the store usually.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
And it is cheap too...I spent a fortune on glass lids...only to get rid of them for $8 egg crate
 
S

salth2osmoker

Guest
nice, that looks a little big wholes still, dartfish wouldnt be able to get out would they? Im getting 4 purples so hopefully not haha.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
WELLLLLL...I have lost a Flame cardinal, and a flasher wrasse....If they really want to...they will get out
Holes are about 1/2"
 
scubachris

scubachris

Member
My buddy used the egg crate, then put a fine mesh like material over. It allowed the heat and gasses to escape, but it impossible for the fish to get out.
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2972075
My buddy used the egg crate, then put a fine mesh like material over. It allowed the heat and gasses to escape, but it impossible for the fish to get out.
That's the ticket. You can use the screen material like they use for screen windows and doors. It comes in rolls at the hardware store.
 
d-dzel

d-dzel

Member
Wouldn't there be any issues with the MH being too strong to maybe melt the egg crate? I currently have glass covers and would like to have egg crate instead, but I'm worried about the egg crate possibly melting
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Originally Posted by D-Dzel
http:///forum/post/2972125
Wouldn't there be any issues with the MH being too strong to maybe melt the egg crate? I currently have glass covers and would like to have egg crate instead, but I'm worried about the egg crate possibly melting

I took mine off, but I used eggcrate for awhile and I have (3) 250 watt MH's, and never had a problem. The bulbs get hot obviously, but never had an issue with the eggcrate.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by D-Dzel
http:///forum/post/2972125
Wouldn't there be any issues with the MH being too strong to maybe melt the egg crate? I currently have glass covers and would like to have egg crate instead, but I'm worried about the egg crate possibly melting

Me neither..I also have 3 250w MH lights...Now I wouldn't lay them directly on top.....mine are hanging 7" from top of tank
 
S

salth2osmoker

Guest
I went to home depot and ace hardware. The people in my town are really stupid or something they do not know what egg crate is at either place and were unable to help me.. Anyone got a good site online for them? I was mainly getting a lid for 4 purple dartfish i was going to get and heard a container of some sort was needed to keep them from jumping is that 100% true>?
 
gypsana

gypsana

Active Member
You can not ask them for eggcrate. You have to ask for light diffusers or florescent light covers.
 
life~reefer

life~reefer

Member
Yea i bought some today and the guy thought egg crate was for packing boxes!! I someone else and they new it was in the lighting section. And it did say egg crate on the label. Make sure to look in the lighting section.
 
S

salth2osmoker

Guest
okay thanks for all the help. This question is a little off topic but.. MY big green chromie has a red spot on his left side looks like a vertical rectangle that goes almost from the top of his back to almost the bottom of his stomach and about 1/4 of his side. I checked PH was between 8.2 and 8.4 nitrites nitrates ammonia is all 0..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top