Are lids essential for our reef tanks?

[ChrisfromBrick]

also- my lid doesn't look bad on the tank. It just looks so much nicer when the top is open.

I pay a lot of money for the qt'd fish I buy. Cant risk it.

 

[MegabiteOG]

They're only essential if you intend to keep your fish in the tank. Otherwise, not essential.

I posted this video recently, but here's the reason why. Notice that about 70% had a cover on it as well.

Keep an eye on the yellow "non-coris" wrasse.

 

[rtparty]

Absolutely. Would you run a daycare on a second floor with no railings? It is not if, but when

 

[steveschuerger]

Absolutely necessary. I have the mesh cover that IM provides and I’ve too many tales of fish chips on the floor. Though even then I had one end up that way, a small goby that was thin enough to wriggle through.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

They're only essential if you intend to keep your fish in the tank. Otherwise, not essential.

I posted this video recently, but here's the reason why. Notice that about 70% had a cover on it as well.

Keep an eye on the yellow "non-coris" wrasse.

beautiful tank

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive been using lids well over three decades and while not essential for me reduces evaporation and potential suicides

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I HATE having a lid, but mainly because it’s a pain to remove them to get inside when needed. I run a DIY lid because I keep a wrasse, firefish, goby and blenny and I don’t want to lose them. I just wish I didn’t have to.

I would always drop the back corner of my lid into my tank. I would flip up the lid to feed my fish and the whole lid would start to fall in.

 

[BriansBrain]

For a rimless tank, yes.

 

[jadedog]

When I introduced my firefish my wrasse saw it got spooked and jumped out the tank.

 

[BryanM]

I had a lid for my reef tank. It was a DIY mesh lid I made using a DIY screen door kit from the hardware store. I got it because I was afraid of my fish jumping out of my tank. Well, good thing I had it, because my firefish (a few times) and my YWG tried to jump out of my tank a few times.

I see a lot of reefers who don't run lids and never have issues. That is why I am asking the question I am asking. Are lids essential for every reef tank? Are they more of an annoyance than a benefit? Does it cause more problems to have a tank lid vice versa?

When I started I would have said yes.

Now they are only required in my mind if you have notoriously known jumper type fish.

I do not run one anymore.

 

[Freenow54]

I had a lid for my reef tank. It was a DIY mesh lid I made using a DIY screen door kit from the hardware store. I got it because I was afraid of my fish jumping out of my tank. Well, good thing I had it, because my firefish (a few times) and my YWG tried to jump out of my tank a few times.

I see a lot of reefers who don't run lids and never have issues. That is why I am asking the question I am asking. Are lids essential for every reef tank? Are they more of an annoyance than a benefit? Does it cause more problems to have a tank lid vice versa?

I firmly believe they are. I made my own as well the same way . However I noticed the paint peeling of , and am now going to make them with mesh ( plastic ) and acrylic framing

 

[dvgyfresh]

I can’t handle the aesthetic of lids , so I never have ran one. Plus I love a good top down look quickly.

Now if I had an eel then it would be absolutely necessary

 

[BobTheBlenney]

A lid is necessary for my tank. I left the lid off for 5 minutes while I was getting food and I could hear my yellow wrasse hit the floor. I ran over to the tank, scooped him up and threw back him and he was fine. It had nothing to do with being spooked. He gets so excited at feeding time he's always bobbing in and out of the water.

I don't get all the hate for lids, especially for glass lids. I understand that mesh lids that fit over the sides kinda defeat the purpose of a rimless tank, but my glass lid doesn't show out at all, it just blends into the tank.

 

[MC Blowfish]

The only time I ran my tank without a lid is what I first started it. I didn't have anything in it other than rock and water.

Both of my tanks have known jumpers and I'd rather not come home to find a fish on the floor.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

A lid is necessary for my tank. I left the lid off for 5 minutes while I was getting food and I could hear my yellow wrasse hit the floor. I ran over to the tank, scooped him up and threw back him and he was fine. It had nothing to do with being spooked. He gets so excited at feeding time he's always bobbing in and out of the water.

I don't get all the hate for lids, especially for glass lids. I understand that mesh lids that fit over the sides kinda defeat the purpose of a rimless tank, but my glass lid doesn't show out at all, it just blends into the tank.

mine doesn’t stick out. It sits neatly on top but it takes away from the shimmer and decreases PAR. it’s also annoying to have to take off any time i want to stick my hands in the tanks

 

[christinna77]

Even my snails occasionally try to crawl out. Can't imagine not having one, especially on a rimless tank.

 

[MegabiteOG]

I love the look of the rimless tank without a lid, but love my fish more. I have no issues with par or shimmer either. And a good lid looks fine.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it

 

[MegabiteOG]

that’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it

You are absolutely correct! It’s just my opinion.

There’s no judgement on my end whether anyone wants to use a lid or not for whatever reason. My personal experience suggests that I should use a lid, so I do with no ill effects.

 

[Redemptioner]

Responsible fish owners use lids/screens.....