Plexiglass Tops help?

[redmanx9]

I had a pair of plexiglass tops made for my 90 gallon reef. I have a 6 bulb T5 Tek light fixture over the tank. Trying to cut down my moisture in the house... which its working like a charm. I was adding a gallon of top off water a day before. Now I can go a few days before i have to add top off water. Here's the question. Does anyone know if the plexi tops cut off too much light to the corals. Or should I be good?

Hopefully I'll be looking to get another diamondback goby... had a few commit suicide. But they kept the sand bed so pearly white!

Thoughts and comments appreciated.

 

[josh.vince]

Not sure about this... but I'll say it anyway. During the summer that top might cause you heat issues. Make a top from screen edging and bird netting (made to keep birds out of gardens). All available at home depot. Actually I know I have a bunch of the edging left over and maybe some netting. If you stop over tomorrow we'll see and I'll sell it cheap. Right now it's just gathering dust. I also have plenty of the rubber inserts that hold the netting in the edging. I'm sure I'm using all the wrong terms for this stuff, but oh well.

 

[tent boy]

I would think there would be a problem with gas exchange or lack of. Temperature also seems like it might be an issue in summer.

 

[The J Man]

I use glass tops on my 40L with a 6 bulb T5 Lights. I use them because I have known jumpers in the tank and forced air which always seems to dry out everything in the apartment. With my setup I clean the glass tops once they gather salt and do not have any light issues. I get minimal if any salt on my lighting and canopy as well.
My apartment has heat and air conditioning free so I do not run into heat issues in the summer.

 

[tmz]

If you keep them clean there should be no appreciable effect on the light. Gas exchange will be slowed which may lead to high CO2 and low ph. Temperature may also be an issue with less evapoarative cooling. A good skimmer with a CO2 scrubber attached may help. I use tops on my display tanks upstairs and keep a lot of open to the air water in the basement . This does present humidity issues whih I offset with a dehumidifier and an exhaust fan.

 

[zooman72]

I keep all my tanks covered, and I find no issues as long as a little maintenance is done to keep them clean. In my opinion and experience, gas exchange issues are minimal as long as the tank is not sealed tight (mine have a small gap at the back), and water turnover from the associated pumps along with a protein skimmer usually ensure sufficient exchange.

Temperature in the summer could be an issue in an uncooled home though, but I have never had an issue in mine with central air.

 

[redmanx9]

Thanks for everyones reply's. The house is force air/airconditioned... no no problems with overheating the tank. Wouldn't a good protein skimmer help with Oxygen exchange? I realize not having the tops fully open would cut down. But it wont totally stop the process.

 

[josh.vince]

Yes I would think a good protein skimmer and an open sump would alleviate the gas exchange concerns.

 

[The J Man]

I have an open sump with a good skimmer and this provides decent gas exchange. I would recommend waterproofing the inside of your stand if its under the tank, this will help with salt damage.

Yes I would think a good protein skimmer and an open sump would alleviate the gas exchange concerns.