Top for salt tank

[tommyz44]

So i was looking at adding a top to my tank just incase of a jumper. But im tossing up the idea of building a canopy or go with the fibermesh clear screen top. It would be on a 30 gal tank. If i did a canopy im sure it would look alot nicer. It would hold my T5 lights well and i could also be able to mount some DIY blue LED lights for moonlighting. The problem would be evaporation. im sure the canopy would hold in moisture & Heat . I could fight that easy cut out and mount on the sides or rear some 120mm CPU fans though. It would give me a nice project to work on so time and stuff isnt an issue. Im more worried about long term effects.

If you think Canopy is the way to go what would you use to finish im going to use cheeper wood (poplar most likely) and paint it to match the stand it is on now. Should i use laquor or would i need to pull out the spray gun and shoot it with some auto-clearcoat to resist the moisture?
Thanks ahead of time for all the questions:debi:

 

[teamdulski]

Do whatever you want on the outside, on the inside people sometimes use marine boat expoxy to waterproof, usually the fans do a good enough job at reducing moisture problems.

 

[Hiltonc57]

I personally think that the screen top with the lights hanging from the ceiling give the tank a much cleaner look. and its a lot cheaper than building a canopy

 

[tommyz44]

after looking at the difference i do like the skeen top still gives it that "topless" look but keeps things from jumping. Anyone have a preference on what type of frame to use? i know i have some clear plastic type skreen i can use, But for the frame im sure lowes has some but im sure Aluminum frame should work as it is resistant to the salt water. Any metalurgists out there .

 

[Hiltonc57]

i found some plastic ones at lowes that works well!

 

[tommyz44]

Good to know i would much rather work with plastics then risk doing metals of any kind. Thanks for the info on that!

 

[reefjunkie42]

id use eggrate. thats what i use on most all of my tanks

 

[tommyz44]

i was thinking about the eggcrate since thats basically the standard for open tops. How much light does it block though?

 

[Breakbeats2334]

I also use egg crate for my tanks. But in terms of how much light it reduces i dont have a clue... however i haven't notice my corals responding in any negative way from the egg crate either.

 

[tommyz44]

thanks for all the input...i looked at lowed down here in horseheads and couldn't find any but i did find it at home depot for like 12$ for a fairly good size...probably fit a 50gal good...i decided to go that way not really much use if i built for a 30 gal might be a bit overkill. cutting and fitting around my HOB overflow was really quite easy and painless. i did notice a small decrease in light but really not as much as i would have expected!