Glass covers

[Nighty]

What is the general opinion on the list about the use of glass covers? I've been using one for my freshwater tank, but now that I'm venturing into saltwater territory and with every watt and lumen being crucial to success, I'd like to make sure.

(My glass cover came with my Oceanic; the product literature claims it does not block light from streaming into the tank.)

Regards,

Nighty

[ReefVan]

Nighty,

It does allow the light to stream in, yes. The UV among other things will get blocked and soon it will encrust with salt and minerals and eventually block most light.

Dump the glass, put a good light canopy with a fan.

Van

[john rock]

don't use it. it keeps heat in, blocks light, and will be full of salt and calcium deposits in no time not to mention that saltwater doesn't hold O2 as well as fresh so you want lots of gas exchange.

[Nighty]

If I forgo the cover, wouldn't the canopy get encrusted with the deposits just the same? Wouldn't the lightbulbs ... er ... explode? And how would I mount the hood without a cover? On pegs?

Regards,

Nighty

[ReefVan]

Could you send us a pic?

Van

[Nighty]

I haven't purchased anything yet for the tank (Oceanic 72 gallon, bow front, all glass) as I'm still researching systems, but the ones I'm currently contemplating are:

Powercompact fan-cooled hood
48", 4x96 watt, 2-10,000K & 2-Ultra-Actinic - http://www.customsealife.com/f_powercompact.htm

and

Powercompact / Moon-Lite
48", 4x65 watt, 2-10,000K Premium-Daylight & 2-Ultra-Actinic
http://www.customsealife.com/f_power...-moon-lite.htm

Regards,

Nighty

P.S. Is there much difference between a 96w and a 65w?

[tang_man_montreal]

Nighty,

Take a look at this thread here:
http://aquariacanada.com/forums/show...=&threadid=358

It shows some pics of my canopy, and how it sits on the tank as well.

[Nighty]

Tang_man_montreal: I could probably assemble a big block lego structure, if easy picture instructions and a video tape were included, but something like your canopy? Ha!

I was hoping for something a little more pre-assembled.

Regards,

Nighty

[ReefVan]

If you need something like the canopy tang_man built, then you have (2) options, either you have someone in the area build it for you or buy one from your LFS.

Sorry, but that's the fate of the DIY challenged... :

Sometimes it's worth the cost and trouble to do it right, depending on where the tank is located.

If it's your pride and joy then you'll want to do it right.

After all, you have to look at every day, do it right and take the plunge.... You won't regret it!

Van

[Nighty]

The DIY challenged! Oh that description fits me to a 'T'.

All I want (famous last words) is a simple hood over my aquarium to house PC compacts. I thought what Custom Sealife offered would be quite easy to have ... just perch it on top of the glass cover or on pegs.

Ah well! More research needed.