Tank Tops?

[markw]

Ive always seen the front of a saltwater tank, but I've never noticed if they had a hood or not. What do you put on the top? Glass I heard won;t let the un-necessary gasses escape, and if they're open-top, how do you hold the lights up? picture references?

 

[ci11337]

I have a glass top on my tank and its fine.

 

[atrialfib22]

Lots of tanks have egg crate for tops...some tanks i have even seen that have their light fixtures just sitting on top of the egg crates (kinda dangerous IMO). It's cheap, easy to cut to size and you can get it at any hardware store really.

 

[markw]

Right, but which is easier to maintain? Better for the fish? And I'd still like to know how they do the lights in the open-top systems.

 

[markw]

And wouldnt the egg crates melt or start to dis-form under the intensity of like metal halide lighting?

 

[bountyhunter23]

here is a current usa extreme on a nano. This is how most tanks are set up. But some tanks have them hanging from the ceiling or on something above it.

 

[markw]

Ok, thats for a nano, but do they ake those type of lights for say, a 75 gallon?

 

[metweezer]

As BountyHunter states most light fixtures come with brackets that mount on the sides of your tank. Egg crate will stop fish from jumping but with MH lighting it could melt.

 

[metweezer]

Originally Posted by Markw
http:///forum/post/2530510
Ok, thats for a nano, but do they ake those type of lights for say, a 75 gallon?
Yes

 

[bountyhunter23]

Yes they do. Look at some cites for different sites.... They make all sizes for CP, T5, and MH. But I would suggest T5 for that size. Plus they are cheaper. I have been reading up A LOT on lights. I just got into corals and need a new light. Metal Halide is good for a DEEP tank. There are to many down sides to use those for a small tank. They are expensive, produce tons of heat, and drain your energy bill. Compact fluorescents are good for small tanks, but you can get a T5 for close to the same price and are better.

 

[dse]

you say a glass tank.
im looking for a new tank top at the min is it cheaper to get a custom built tank top made of glass or wood.
als to the person who has glas top is it a flat head as im only into getting a flat head.

 

[bountyhunter23]

You can go to pet store or you LFS and get a collapsible glass canopy. I guess bi fold canopy would be better. As of wood? are you talking about a wood canopy/hood? One of those fancy, huge canopy things? If you have the money and can get a nice wooden stand with matching hood, than by all means do it. But for a good gas exchange and flow egg crate is your best bet. BUT you only really need that if you have fish that like to take a jump.

 

[dse]

it's not that im worryed about jumping fish.
it's im woryed my son is going to do the same thing he did to the freshwater fish.
let see ok ill explain bedt i can.
we taught our 1 year ol to put toys away wen hes sort of done sumtimes he doesnt put toys away at all but he knows in box toys go there... well he thinks toys go in nice see through glass box..
hes lost a lot of books and a few toys nothing poisness to the fish apart maybe ink might of but never killed any fish as all items came out with in minutes of him doing it.
but no i havent got the money for something fancey and to mee in away glasss lif is fancy lol
do you get a catch release on your glass hoods?
also will i need a profesh to install lighting clips into the hood? as i would be a bit nervy to do it.
thanks

 

[bountyhunter23]

here is a pic of egg crate... Im sure it will hold to toys being put in. Should you have your tank on a stand or something high up? jw

 

[bountyhunter23]

but if you have a light that has to rest on the glass than go ahead and get a glass canopy... I have had one on my nano for a year and it has been fine. and they are not that expensive

.

 

[markw]

So, for my 75, its best to get T5 lighting (reef tank) and the egg crate for a top and it wont melt it right?

 

[metweezer]

It won't melt with T5's but if you don't have jumpers then you don't need it.

 

[dse]

i own a T5 unit also.
they do seem to get very hot.
i have a twin bulbs 60w i think but im in need of new bulbs which im hoping to get today.. "easter sunday" so i might have to wait.

but im having a look around on net for any sites that also make lids as this morning i caught my boy trying to play boaat with his toy car lol.
it's just a plastic toy.. so no harm done.
but if anyone knows any good reliable sites please let me know.
my lfs has aplace but have took about 2 weeks on a quote..

 

[ecooper]

Originally Posted by Markw
http:///forum/post/2530510
Ok, thats for a nano, but do they ake those type of lights for say, a 75 gallon?
Here is how I have my 75 set up. The mh system is on top of my canopy (I just took the top off the canopy. I think this helps a bit with heat...

 

[dse]

wow thats a beaut of a tank btw.
but i do like your style of tank top.
looks like a dome effect from the pic.
i would like somthing like that or a flat top as both would come in handy do you have a pic of the top view too?
sorry for taking over the thread its just it's comming in ver ver usefull for me lol sorry