Open top.....

[fliberdygibits]

What are people's opinions on running an open top tank? There is a quick story to why I ask. I am moving to a new apartment and my current tank is being moved into a new tank that is shorter.... only a gallon less, but it's 24 inches wide instead of 30 and the lights won't fit. I have seen tanks run open top before with the light suspended above the tank and I think it looks great that way, but aside from evaporation (I have a top off system) and possible cats jumping in the tank, are there any issues I should be aware of?

Also, over a 28 gallon (18 deep I think) what is the highest I should hang the lights? It's a simple setup with 2 27 watt VHO bulbs, one actinic 04 and one 10k daylight.

Thanks.

[wanareef]

We have a 100aga and a 37haga that are both topless (uncovered) and have been that way since startup. With a "lid" you keep the temp up, no way for the water to evaporate for cooling.

You can have the lights as close as 6" from the water line, ours are 9" but then we have MH's and I left room to get my arm in and out of the tank without getting burned.

[MiddletonMark]

Topless all the way. Bare bottom too I call it the naturist method of reefkeeping.

I would keep the lights fairly close, as you'll lose intensity by moving them up.

One thing you want to keep an eye on is possible jumping fish. Firefish, some wrasses, jawfish ... will jump. Some fish seem like a much smaller risk that way. If you have jumpers, you'll have to consider egg-crate or some other system to keep them in the tank. That's the only catch to going topless ... which can be worked around too.

[yardboy]

Definitely topless. Much easier to control temperatures and I had jumpers get out with a canopy on my 70 so I just stay away from them anyway.

[fliberdygibits]

gack... not 2 27 watt, it's 2 75 watt bulbs. Anyhow, cool. I like the topless look very much, so it's awesome that there are no real issues with keeping it this way

Thanks

[yardboy]

Here's my setup, overexposed. Designed so I can raise the lights for acclimation and/or cleaning.

[Dale]

remember be careful what you spray in that room(perfume,cologne), I also go topless and I lost a gramma the first two hours without a top but nothing else since then

[jrutler]

I went for almost my entire first year open-topped, but then I lost two fish (LM blenny and a Green Chromis) to carpet diving within a month. I put that plastic white fluorescent lighting grid over my tank. It's only been a few months, but so far so good...

[Reefrubble]

yardboy very nice set up. I think you did a great job with your lighting.

[MiddletonMark]

So true ... that's both aesthetically nice and great functionailty

After that, ain't worth showing mine.

[tims]

awwwww come on mark pleaseeeeeeeeee

[RobinsonFam1]

Topless!

i have a (no longer set up) 29 with a custom acrylic top and 4) 65 watt pc above it. about 7" above i believe.

HTH

[yardboy]

Thanks Guys! Final step is to put an oak panel between the tank and the wall to hide the "life support system"!