Slipstream06
New member
I'd prefer to keep the glass tops on my tank due to evaporation. I'm not sure if the tops will impair the led light penetration though.
Would keeping the glass tops on my tank impair led lighting?
- Thread starter Slipstream06
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Ron Reefman
Active member
It will reduce the amount of light that gets through to the water, but it's not a huge deal unless you are close to not having enough light in the tank already. And different kinds of glass allow better transmission of light than others. And of course, keeping the glass clean is a key. It could be as small as a 5% drop to as much as a 15% drop... or more if the glass is dirty.
Are you using leds for light? If so, you can always turn up the power some to compensate. MH and t5 would have to be moved closer to the glass and that may not be a good idea, especially with MH due to heat.
Are you using leds for light? If so, you can always turn up the power some to compensate. MH and t5 would have to be moved closer to the glass and that may not be a good idea, especially with MH due to heat.
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
it will inhibit light penetration. my tank is mostly open top, but has a very large center brace made from 1/2" thick glass.
the glass does block some of the light from my LEDs, but it isn't too bad, unless the glass is dirty. so i try to keep it as clean as possible, and i place things that require the most light, like Tridacna clams, under the non-covered portion.
the glass does block some of the light from my LEDs, but it isn't too bad, unless the glass is dirty. so i try to keep it as clean as possible, and i place things that require the most light, like Tridacna clams, under the non-covered portion.
I wipe my glass tops with a slightly damp cloth to keep dust and salt off of it. With or without the tops, the ceiling above my tank is lit up bright from the light bouncing off the glass and/or water. I wonder if it would help to make a reflective "hood" to bounce that light back down into the water.
Slipstream06
New member
I have a sump for the gas exchange, skimmer putting out micro bubbles. There is a small gap in the back of the glass also. Thanks for the info y'all much appreciated.
Ron Reefman
Active member
Believe it or not, an open top on your tank with any water motion will do a much better job of transferring gases that the skimmer does.
You don't have a problem though as the top of your sump is open.
A skimmer provides more surface to air interface area in less space than a a flat or even a rippled surface ;gas exchange occurs at that those interfaces .
I do run one of my tanks(a 65 g for soft coral and fish) without a sump or skimmer. It has a glass cover ;2 inches or so along the back is not covered by glass but with fiberglass screening material attached to a piece of plastic egg crate to deter the jumpers. This is like leaving doors and windows open at home. Plenty of air flows in over the water.
I do run one of my tanks(a 65 g for soft coral and fish) without a sump or skimmer. It has a glass cover ;2 inches or so along the back is not covered by glass but with fiberglass screening material attached to a piece of plastic egg crate to deter the jumpers. This is like leaving doors and windows open at home. Plenty of air flows in over the water.
another problem with glass tops is selective absorption of wave lengths. The spectrum that your lights are putting out is not the spectrum that is hitting the corals. Since so much of what we do is trial and error and we adjust everything depending on growth and color it probably doesn't matter much.
