Doing a 3 day blackout, should I also cover the top of the tank?

[Westside Guy]

I was wondering whether or not I should cover the top of my tank when doing a 3 day blackout. Will it cause the water‘s temperature to increase?

 

[Ajayabb]

Should be fine covering top since lights will be out and won’t make as much heat.

 

[theMeat]

Depends on what you have going on in tank. If you seal it right around the rim...
Would cover it up higher, leave a little breathing room

 

[Pistondog]

Do you run a skimmer?
If not do not seal/cover the top, fish need air exchange.

 

[Westside Guy]

Do you run a skimmer?
If not do not seal/cover the top, fish need air exchange.

I turned the skimmer off as I am treating the water with Dr. Tim's Refresh during this blackout.

 

[Pistondog]

I turned the skimmer off as I am treating the water with Dr. Tim's Refresh during this blackout.

Maybe just take the collection cup off the skimmer.
Bacteria consume oxygen.
Not running the skimmer, covering the top, and dosing bacteria will all reduce the available oxygen in the water.

 

[Westside Guy]

Maybe just take the collection cup off the skimmer.
Bacteria consume oxygen.
Not running the skimmer, covering the top, and dosing bacteria will all reduce the available oxygen in the water.

The Red Sea skimmer has a huge collection cup that is a pain in the butt to remove. At this point I may simply place a large black garbage bag over the top of the lights that are turned off anyway and leave a gap between the lights and the water allowing for breathing room.