Glass vs Eggcrate Cover

[icepick5587]

I'm planning on adding a sunpod over my 24gal nanocube and I'm not sure what to cover it with. I've seen both glass and eggcrate. Does one hold heat in more than the other?

 

[dc_909]

Well glass will because it is solid, where eggcrate has holes. I would use eggcrate or something similar.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

While i dont like either of them, if you had to pick one, it should be egg-crate.

Glass can cause other problems besides just heating a tank too much. It also doesnt allow for gas exchange, which will make for low pH eventually.

 

[Lion_Babe]

Glass can cause tons of problems. I don't use anything as it does decrease your light. I would use egg crate if you have to use something.
Good luck

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I'm like lion. I dont use anything directly under my light. I prefer having a canopy and fitting my light into the hood of that and just covering the back panel w/egg-crate. That way its all open and there's no egg-crate directly under the light to block it, and fish cant jump out.

 

[Randall_James]

I like the idea of "nothing" at all but it has some terrible drawbacks... namely if you decide on some type of Goby, Wrasse, Hawkfish or many others that are notorious for "carpet surfing"

Topless tanks are far preferred for gas exchange and cooling, but they should have some kind of canopy. The Nanocube has fans that allow you to keep the top and the benefits of the topless.

You can just beef up the stock PC lighting by another 36W without any real headaches or add a 70W MH. Both keep the current lid in place.

What is the reason for the lighting upgrade in the first place?

 

[icepick5587]

The reason for upgrading the light because I feel the current light is not sufficient for what I'm looking for. I plan on adding either a 150 or 250 watt sunpod, which would mean I have to get rid of the canopy. I have a firefish so I need something, probably an eggcrate, to keep him from carpet diving.

 

[Lion_Babe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9592250#post9592250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by icepick5587
The reason for upgrading the light because I feel the current light is not sufficient for what I'm looking for. I plan on adding either a 150 or 250 watt sunpod, which would mean I have to get rid of the canopy. I have a firefish so I need something, probably an eggcrate, to keep him from carpet diving.

Since you do have to use something an egg crate does work well and you don't loose a ton of light.

 

[Randall_James]

eggcrate will only hold fish that can not fit between the squares and firefish will jump out through the squares(been there done that )

As I recall, eggcrate will cut about 10% of the effective light if it is right side up and more if it is upside down. (will have to find the article again)

The cube I modified had 2X36W pc and a 70W MH and retained the stock lid.