Glass Tops or None?

Nanz

Premium Member
Should I run glass tops on my 55 gallon seahorse tank?

Im planning on using a Tek 48" 2x54W for lighting. Will that be enough light or should I go for 4 bulbs? I plan on only having macro and some mushrooms.
 
For seahorses, light to view them is all that is necessary.
Macro, depending on the type would most likely need more but I can't advise just how much.
Anything else just adds to the temperature of the tank which we want to keep at 74°F or lower.
Putting a glass over top of the tank lowers the ability of the system to rid itself of CO2 via air/water exchange. It's especially critical in weather where the doors and windows are shut up.
 
I would go with the 4 bulb because of the coral. Definately no glass top. In addition to what rayjay pointed out, having a glass top will increase the temperature of the water.
 
One thing to consider re: glass top or not --- will there be any sort of power head in the tank? Anything in the tank at all that will be plugged in? And if so, do you have cats? Dogs? Clummsy people that live with you? Despite all the beautiful branching rock and macro algae in a seahorse tank, most seahorses will hitch, from time to time, on the cords that power things that are inside their tank. This isn't a problem, per say, unless they are still hanging on when that cord is yanked by someone outside of the aquarium.... I have seen and read about horses that have held onto something only to be lifted from the water. Just make sure that all cords are well secured.
 
I plan to have 2 nano koralia powerheads. I will get the 4 lamp fixture and keep the top open. Thanks for your reply.
 
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