glass covers
- Thread starter Kathy55g
- Start date
Dman
New member
A lot of it has to do with my old way of thinking (reef tank). Before even taking temperature issues into account, a Jaubert, Berlin or Plenum style reef tank the single biggest point of gas exchange was at the water's surface.
I haven't seen any studies personally nor talked to anyone in the know as to whether or not a trickle/wet/dry filter was as efficient for the exchange of CO2 as the water's surface was.
In my own particular circumstances I'm not sure if a glass lid would help or hinder the over all quality of the water and hence the product as I have serious, serious Alk/pH issues stemming from poor air quality due to the inherent nature of the location I'm currently stuck using. Namely +/- 3000 gallons in a small basement (<650 sq ft and no taller than 6'-2") in the very heart of Canada's largest metropolis.
I haven't seen any studies personally nor talked to anyone in the know as to whether or not a trickle/wet/dry filter was as efficient for the exchange of CO2 as the water's surface was.
In my own particular circumstances I'm not sure if a glass lid would help or hinder the over all quality of the water and hence the product as I have serious, serious Alk/pH issues stemming from poor air quality due to the inherent nature of the location I'm currently stuck using. Namely +/- 3000 gallons in a small basement (<650 sq ft and no taller than 6'-2") in the very heart of Canada's largest metropolis.
This was exactly my concern, Dman. With a reef tank, you need an open top. Lots of air exchange helps everything.
But reef tanks do not typically have airstones bubbling in them as we all do for our growout tanks, and typically they don't use wet/dry trickly filtration. These two things in combination may be enough air exposure to take care of atmospheric balancing of CO2 and other gasses.
I am at a bit of a disadvantage compared to some of you in that I presently do not run a protein skimmer, yet another way to get air into your water.
So far so good, though. The fish seem not to mind, water condenses on the glass instead of the rest of the house, and I've left an opening in all the tanks for water to enter, airline to enter and siphon tube to do its work.
Autofeeding is a bit more of a challenge, as the air that emerges from the openings is very humid and condenses on the feeders, rendering them useless. I am trying pumping dry air into the feeders so that it will exit where the moisture is coming in. This worked in 3 of 4 feeders last night, and we will see how it goes.
Cheers,
Kathy
But reef tanks do not typically have airstones bubbling in them as we all do for our growout tanks, and typically they don't use wet/dry trickly filtration. These two things in combination may be enough air exposure to take care of atmospheric balancing of CO2 and other gasses.
I am at a bit of a disadvantage compared to some of you in that I presently do not run a protein skimmer, yet another way to get air into your water.
So far so good, though. The fish seem not to mind, water condenses on the glass instead of the rest of the house, and I've left an opening in all the tanks for water to enter, airline to enter and siphon tube to do its work.
Autofeeding is a bit more of a challenge, as the air that emerges from the openings is very humid and condenses on the feeders, rendering them useless. I am trying pumping dry air into the feeders so that it will exit where the moisture is coming in. This worked in 3 of 4 feeders last night, and we will see how it goes.
Cheers,
Kathy
Kmiec123
Actual CMAS Member
Great Topic. My 120 gal 48x24x24 has had a glass top since day one.(3 or so years). Only issue is temp in the summer..looking/saving for a chiller. I no nothing and never new of/ considered gas exchange-Thanks for something else to confuse my/think about. 
Thought that with other animals in the house, Particularly my cats, the top is needed. also, consider foreign debris i.e. Cat and dog hair. Thanks
Thought that with other animals in the house, Particularly my cats, the top is needed. also, consider foreign debris i.e. Cat and dog hair. ThanksSimilar threads
