Top-less?

[carym]

Ok, I know some of the benefits both ways but want some additional opinions, top or no top. Do you use a glass top on your tank or do you go topless....

I have a 125 gallon in wall been going since March 2006, I have always kept the top on but have always had openings. Middle glass was always open and each end had a small opening. Always had a hassle with tempature, salt creep, and just keeping the glass clean.

I have now taken the glass top off, I want to see if it is easier keeping the tempature in line and also if there is better gas exchange....

What are you doing? And what are the biggest benefits.

[loubee]

I use glass covers when the lights are off to cut down on loss of water due to condesation. Plus I find it easier to take the covers off & put them back on again than to clean them all the time!

[tellycoleman]

Anyone have any experience with acrylic tops and metal halide. my 110g has t5 and i wanna upgrade to MH if i use two 250w what distance is needed to prevent yellowing or bowing from heat

[medicdiver]

I have a 120 reef without a top. The glass top I had on it would constanly get algea buildup and salt. It was more of a pain to keep clean than the tank. Once I took it off, I did find (especially after getting my MH lights) that the temp stayed more constant especially during the day when the MH's are on. I have a minor amount of water surface disruption to keep salt off of the lights. It seems to be wokring very well for me and do not intend to change it anytime soon..

[hansmatt]

I go topless all of the time, using VHO's. I messed with the tops, but it seemed to me to really cut down on the penetration, plus they always got film-ed up.

[Loverotties]

I use a egg crate top.

[depitch]

My 75 gal was a fresh water oceanic now about 15years old so it came with a glass top that I still use. I think I would lose too much water to evaporation since tank is in a front hall with a very high ceiling. So I trade off algae removal for water evaporation.

The 125gal is an acryllic and only has a 10'' by 18'' open ing with a canopy above.

It's a matter of taste versus type of species you have in tank.
Some fish will jump out if an uncovered tank.
HTH

Doug

[salt-rookie]

Glass tops will inhibit the exchange of gasses necessary at the surface, i.e., O2, CO2, N....this is why we want surface agitation.