Open top or canopy???

[JJ4417]

Everyone gets along and the forum comes to a grinding halt ...so..

I'm in the planning stages of my next tank. I'm looking at the Elos systems. I've already lost 3 fish (two neon gobies and a starry blenny) from my little 20. I thought at first something was eating them. Now I'm leaning towards carpet surfing. I've got two dogs and a cat that could and would lap them up before I found them. I know if I alter my fish list, I shouldn't have this problem in the future.

So...if you could do it all over again, what do you prefer, open top or canopy systems and why? Talking asthetics, ease of maintanence, etc.

 

[mpoletti]

In a perfect world, I would probably het a rimless tank with a PVC bottom from AGE in TX. If not Elos, is second on my list.

Benefits- I like the look and the ease of in and out quickly.

Drawback- Cash and light spreading everywhere. That is something I still do not like. I would also not feel safe with my favorite type of fish, a wrasse.

Canopy-

They look complete, part of the house; also block some of the light for when company comes over.

Canopy's if done wrong can keep heat in and heat the temperature of your tank. They also make it a little harder to work in the tank, ie a step stool or ladder.

It is definitely a personal choice and I have been working on this same decision for the last three months.

 

[jtarmitage]

Myself, I will only ever have a canopy. I like the finished look, and can't stand the light spillage on an open top. However, the ease of maintainance on an open top is not to be underestimated. I recently had a canopy built for my 250g where the entire front flips up and open which will help with the access issue. Still tough to get to the back corners, but it helps.

 

[bladeruner143]

I also have a canopy. Maintenance really isn't too hard for me because I made the canopy probably around 15 inches tall! It leaves plenty of room inside. Plus, I run 400W MH on a 55 so I needed the distance so that the tank wouldn't heat up too much. In terms of heat, I really dont have an issue right now because the back of the canopy is completely open and theres enough room inside for one of those huge clip on fans. I also have to huge doors in the front. In the future, I would probably still go with a canopy just for the look. If I end up doing an in wall though, no canopy needed . . . if . . .

 

[MandM]

I like the furniture look of the canopy. This is how I mounted my T5 fixture to allow ventilation and room to work.
We cut holes in each side for ventilation with a rotozip. We went out to Blue Collar Supply on Florin-Perkins and got some aluminum angle bracket stock. This is 2"x2" but you could go shorter if you wanted the fixture closer to the water. I like this height and the sturdienss of it. With the width of the fixture and the bracket, there is no way it can be bumped and accidently fall into the tank.

The fixture is 15" deep so this is pushed back all the way to the back of the canopy. I still have room to work and I can easily slide it out of the canopy if I need to with another pair of hands to mind the power cords.

 

[JJ4417]

I'm thinking of going small cube at this point. I *really* like the clean look of the open top. However, I *really* hate being able to see phs or anything else in the tank. I don't like the 'window' look, I would prefer to use three sides and have as much view as possible, also allowing for as much usable space as possible.

It will be a mixed reef, and honestly, my biggest issue is flow. I would like to incorporate some type of wavysea and I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to do that and still keep the open look. Currently there is a great thread with a custom Elos where they made a partition to hide most of the phs. Plus the guy is doing some incredible DIY stuff. It was humbling to read.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1206908

But again...flow...with the open top look. As I said, flying fish issues, etc. I dunno. I'm sure I will DIY the stand and canopy, so I can make it like I want it, but I can't get over the cool factor of the open tops.

 

[MandM]

Wow, nice thread. I did a false back like that in a 29g. It's a nice way to hide powerheads and skim the surface. I had an skim overflow that went the entire length of the false back instead of a slotted overflow hole. I had the occasional hermit make it over the top into that "sump" area but the fish stayed put.

 

[jtarmitage]

Wow Sheila, nice setup. The canopy on my 250 opens the same way. I would say it's very convenient, but it's being stored in the garage til we move.

 

[Underwaterparadise]

My vote is for open top with a canopy but I think it all depends on your taste and the design of your home. If you have modern style decor then the open top look of the Oceanic Tech series type tanks would look nice. if your house is more traditional then the wood canopy look may be best.

If you like the 3 sided look go for a Penisula style tank. Beware though once you go 3 sided you never go back! HA HAHAHAHAHAHA