Plexi vs Glass for Light spectrum

[cbdrako99]

My question is about using Plexiglas for the cover of my tank?????
I am upgrading from regular 30 Watt florescent Coralife 50/50 light to the 36" Coralife Aqualight PC with the Coralife Aqualight Mounting Legs. The glass cover for my tank is not clear, but looks like a show door (the one that you really can’t see through). I am worried that the current cover is decreasing the amount of light that is passing to my tank. I would like to replace/make the cover myself instead of buying one.
What are your thoughts on Plexiglas vs. Glass tops? Are there any pros or cons to Plexi? Does plexi also allow all of the spectrum through that glass does???
Thanks for the advice.

 

[toasterman]

you should look into getting acrylic rather then plexigalss.

 

[cbdrako99]

Will do.. Thanx

 

[shanev]

plexiglass is a brand of acyrlic its the same thing.
Have you looked at eggcrate? Keeps fish in, but doesnt create a sealed enviornment. Better oxygen exchange, better cooling (or should say less trapped heat). less blockage of light.

 

[spmnarciso]

Originally posted by ShaneV
Have you looked at eggcrate? Keeps fish in, but doesnt create a sealed enviornment. Better oxygen exchange, better cooling (or should say less trapped heat). less blockage of light.
I agree why add a cover. More Pro's to not having one.

 

[cbdrako99]

I do not have a canopy for my tank that is why I am using the cover. I am not sure that I understand the eggcrate? Isn't that what you put on your bed? Just curious how the lights wouldn't melt it, and how the light would pass through it. Sounds cool though. Do you have any pics????

 

[bang guy]

Eggcrate is the plastic grill placed under flourescent lighting in stores, etc. to direct the light down.
If you buy the good stuff (tapered concave edges) it can actually increase the amount of light that enters the water for flourescent lighting.

 

[cbdrako99]

That is great. That is what I am going to do. Thanks for the recommendations!! :joy:

 

[milomlo]

I was actually thinking of using plexi glass as well. I was thinking of that because since I took my top off the tank I have to replace water 2- 3 times a week (top offs). Before I took the top off I only had to do 1 a week and not near as much as I need to add now each time.
I was thinking plexi would keep fish from jumping and help keep the evaporation down. Any suggestions on this?

 

[shanev]

While it will keep evaporation down, it will also keep heat in.
Evaporative cooling can be a big help to our tanks.

 

[my way]

The other thing to think about is the acrylic warping which is quite common.

 

[fixed]

My lights say not to use over open water. Wouldn't a grid, instead of a solid surface like glass, be the same as open water?

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by Fixed
My lights say not to use over open water. Wouldn't a grid, instead of a solid surface like glass, be the same as open water?
Yes. It would appear that your lights are made for fresh water where dim lighting is natural.

 

[caomt]

they sell a nice good piece of plexi glass at home depot in the window department... i bought a 11x24 for about 3 bucks.. you should check it out its very clear and see through.. they have different sizes

 

[chipmaker]

covers also add to saltcreep, and do somewhat restrict air/gas exchange, however they do cut down on evaporation but at the expense of retaining heat.
All egg crate has a rounded or tapered edge as its the only way it could be released from the injection mold. That taper on the egg crate is referred to as draft.