Consequences of covering aquarium?

[undbulsu]

What changes to a system occur when placing a cover (glass or acrylic) on the top of the tank?

The reason I ask is that my Reefer 450 uses up its ATO in about 1 1/2 to 2 days. I am thinking of placing an acrylic top on it during times when I am going to be gone for more than 2 days to decrease evaporation.

Will that screw up water chemistry to go from completely open to covered on a temporary basis?

 

[scooter31707]

just go it a bigger container to hold the top-off water. You can get a 32-gallon Brute trashcan for $15 at Home Depot.

 

[johanasu]

There should be sufficient gas exchange occurring in your skimmer where it wouldn't cause any major issues. It can affect heat exchange (the tank will stay warmer) and light penetration (if the cover gets water/salt creep). Overall, it should be fine.

 

[clsanchez77]

there should be sufficient gas exchange occurring in your skimmer where it wouldn't cause any major issues. It can affect heat exchange (the tank will stay warmer) and light penetration (if the cover gets water/salt creep). Overall, it should be fine.

+1

 

[Sk8r]

I set a 32 gallon Rubbermaid Brute trashcan of ro/di by the tank. They make roller-bases for these, so they can be stacked and put away and moved hither and yon. That's one.

As long as you have an active, highly bubbling skimmer in the sump, and the sump itself is open to the air for gas exchange you can do it, BUT you will still have a high evap rate from that.

A large reservoir would solve your problem better than restricting evaporation, which is actually a desirable thing if you ever want stony coral.