Glass Lid

JAMSOURY · Jun 1, 2020

Anyone running a glass lid on top of their aquarium?

Just as long as I have some type of air stone, it should be pretty good as far as oxygen/ph right?

just experimenting as a little project.

Marsh980 · Jun 1, 2020

JAMSOURY said:
Anyone running a glass lid on top of their aquarium?

Just as long as I have some type of air stone, it should be pretty good as far as oxygen/ph right?

just experimenting as a little project.

I have sliding glass lids over my 200 gallon.

I don’t use air stones. Use power heads. I have four, two I use to break the water surface.

JAMSOURY · Jun 1, 2020

Marsh980 said:
I have sliding glass lids over my 200 gallon.

I don’t use air stones. Use power heads. I have four, two I use to break the water surface.

Nice! No sump in that setup either?

Johniejumbo · Jun 1, 2020

I used to use glass lids and didn’t have any functional problem with them. They were a pain to keep clean though and if they get a little dirty they diminish the amount of light that gets through. As far as the air stone. I had a small protein skimmer that did all the oxygenating

Marsh980 · Jun 1, 2020

JAMSOURY said:
Nice! No sump in that setup either?

I don’t understand the question. What makes you think I don’t have a sump haha. I have a sump under the tank. I have just added a chiller to ensure my tank stays within my preferred temperature parameters.

carmodpg · Jun 1, 2020

Funny, I was just looking into recent posts about glass lids this morning! Odd timing! I have a glass lid over my 120 (with center brace). As Marsh said, I just have my power heads and return pump. No need for an air stone. Everything is fine, I like how it cuts down condensation and I have never seen an issue with gas exchange.

Marsh980 · Jun 1, 2020

Johniejumbo said:
I used to use glass lids and didn’t have any functional problem with them. They were a pain to keep clean though and if they get a little dirty they diminish the amount of light that gets through. As far as the air stone. I had a small protein skimmer that did all the oxygenating

I agree, cleaning them can be a pain but in regards to the lights, that depends on the quality of the LEDs.

I chose glass lids more because I wanted a pelmet so the tank looked like a framed piece of artwork and I hate to lose fish due to jumpers, plus I didn’t want the hassle of having to keep topping up with RODI, even though I have an ATO. oh lastly, my mate has a large topless tank and he suffers with condensation in his room and windows.

I guess its all down to personal preference. Just like sand bed or bare bottom, both have pros and cons.

bolo1904 · Jun 3, 2020

how often do you guys have to clean your glass tops?
I think i'm going to have to resort to a glass top. I am running a sumpless set up with canisters and HOB Skimmer. The suctions are below the waterline so dust just collects on the surface of the water.

JustPoprocks · Jun 3, 2020

Every tank I’ve ever owned I’ve had a glass top on....my mom hated the salt creep... I have always left the back 4 inches open. I’ve never had a problem I tilt the glass in the morning and night to return some of the condensation. And clean them bi weekly with hot water and vinegar.

Sleeping Giant · Jun 3, 2020

bolo1904 said:
how often do you guys have to clean your glass tops?
I think i'm going to have to resort to a glass top. I am running a sumpless set up with canisters and HOB Skimmer. The suctions are below the waterline so dust just collects on the surface of the water.

I run a fx4 canister and AquaMaxx 1.5 hob skimmer, I aim a powerhead to the surface for airation, no problems ever, glass top...all my stuff is on the ends of my aquarium, and I had the glass cut to go around the tubing and components, so that I can open and close the lids, keeps moisture in, salt creep can be very damaging if not maintained.