Top of the Tank

[blemmy_guy]

What do i need to replace the glass top of my tank with when i get my new metal Halides??? Thanx Todd

 

[bigarn]

With Metal Halides I wouldn't use any cover. You could have a heating issue if you do. Just my opinion.

 

[nas19320]

Run topless, there are many benefits. Eggcrate can be used if you have jumpers.

 

[mytank]

I use egg crate and then top off the water every other day
You can get egg crate at home depotty or menards
good luck

 

[blemmy_guy]

is an eggcrate like a metal screen??? , cause i really need something covering it to keep the kids from throwing something in there, if any one has a pic i would appreciate it. thanx to you all. Todd

 

[nas19320]

Eggcrate is the plastic grid thats used under flourescent ceiling lighting.

 

[blemmy_guy]

Oooh!! It doesnt get too hot?? and melt, and is there any other alternative to it?? Todd

 

[snipe]

Well I had a brain fart . What about using the glass and just measure the lights I will see what I can do on a pic.
I hope this helps I tried to describe it best I could I think you should get it.
for the heating reverse the fans to pull instead of push it would suck the heat off the top of the water and push it away from the tank. I think I had a pretty good brain fart lol .

 

[blemmy_guy]

Not too shabby an idea, lets see if we can get some others to chime in and see what they think? thanx todd

 

[snipe]

Thanks I am thinking of using it for my future light system lol I had a good idea I think :notsure: lol.

 

[mbrands]

Originally posted by Nas19320
Eggcrate is the plastic grid thats used under flourescent ceiling lighting.
I thought you meant egg crate like what eggs come in!

<--- LOL at my naivete

 

[mo0nshine]

Whats a benifit of not having a top on the tank with MH other than keeping temps down? I have a top on my tank and it seems to keep the temp more stable, usualy never changes more than +/- 1 degree and I also barley loose any water to evaporation

 

[tuningvis]

eggcrate

 

[ryuson99]

Don't eggcrates block out a lot of the light?

 

[tuningvis]

a lil but not as much as a salt encrusted glass top... annnnd you dont have that many fish flying out the top of an open one

 

[snipe]

But what about my idea? would it work? it would still have evaporation but not as mutch like the egg crates and it wouldnt have any light distortion cause the lights would be completely open.

 

[snipe]

would my idea work?

 

[nas19320]

It would function but cutting the glass to size I wouldn't think would be the easiest. Plus evaporation is a good thing, it allows heat to escape and it aides in the addition of kalk if you want to.

 

[snipe]

but I also added to revers the fanse so they pull and not push. If they pull then it would suck the heat out of the tank.

 

[nas19320]

It's more efficient to cool the water and since cooler air is denser you will push more cfm of air by pulling air in, at least in theory.