Glass tops who's got them?

[vinnyvin]

I picked up a glass top for my reef today just wondering who uses them and is their any benifits/draw backs iv read some mixed reveiws. Just wanted to see yours and hear of any opinions regarding them

 

[Roy 9121]

I had one, didn't like it so i threw it away

 

[sa6hir]

I've always had a glass top & when the tank comes without a glass top I get one made. The benefits are less water evaporating without a glass top on my current tank I was topping up with 50+ litres a week. Drawback well from what I have been told u don't get the full spectrum of lighting but I can't tell, salt build up and algae build up that requires regular cleaning. You have air holes so gas exchange won't be a problem.

 

[Roy 9121]

I picked up a glass top for my reef today just wondering who uses them and is their any benifits/draw backs iv read some mixed reveiws. Just wanted to see yours and hear of any opinions regarding them

Pros; you use less water
Cons; they get all gunked up with water and salt, and block your light. They sell wire covers if your worried about fish jumping out

 

[vertigo01]

They are good for keeping the occupants in, as well as help with evaporation.
That being said, their drawbacks IMHO are that gas exchange is lessened, the possibility of increased water temps, depending on lighting type and the need for cleaning more often.

 

[vinnyvin]

I had one, didn't like it so i threw it away

This was a quick buy I don't really like the look of this. so I'm hoping to get one made with Frosted & tapered edges to match the tank.

 

[vinnyvin]

They are good for keeping the occupants in, as well as help with evaporation.
That being said, their drawbacks IMHO are that gas exchange is lessened, the possibility of increased water temps, depending on lighting type and the need for cleaning more often.

It's been on now for a few hours and I watched my tempriture and it's gone up from 26 to 26.2 but I did notice the moisture on it soon as I put it on. Il see how the week goes with it on.

 

[vinnyvin]

Pros; you use less water
Cons; they get all gunked up with water and salt, and block your light. They sell wire covers if your worried about fish jumping out

Iv got a wire cover but it just ruins the look of the tank in my opinion. Will their be an increase in salt creep?

 

[sa6hir]

Iv got a wire cover but it just ruins the look of the tank in my opinion. Will their be an increase in salt creep?

Yes there will be a increase salt creep! Salt creep occurs any place water can evaporate/escape, you will see the creep around the holes in your glass top too.

 

[vinnyvin]

Yes there will be a increase salt creep! Salt creep occurs any place water can evaporate/escape, you will see the creep around the holes in your glass top too.

Il have to keep a close eye on it.

 

[sa6hir]

Like I've mentioned above my tank is covered but every so often my salt level drops slightly. So yes keep a eye on it.

 

[Reefrookie220]

Glass filters out uv rays. So you miss out on that part of the light spectrum.

 

[Roy 9121]

Iv got a wire cover but it just ruins the look of the tank in my opinion. Will their be an increase in salt creep?

I haven't noticed that.

 

[ReeferBee]

Glass filters out uv rays. So you miss out on that part of the light spectrum.

Auto Glass does but most other glass, especially tops made for aqaurium use, don't filter out much UV. Many folks say it greatly reduces par but this is also very negligible.

I have had glass tops on my reef for years. Originally purchased to keep my golden dwarf moray eel in the tank. No issues with pH, temp and even when dirty par reduction is very small

 

[273629116]

I live in Colorado and must use glass tops otherwise I'd be constantly replacing water as it evaporates...Very dry here

 

[Frop]

My QT has a glass lid. My TD has a mesh.

 

[Roy 9121]

Auto Glass does but most other glass, especially tops made for aqaurium use, don't filter out much UV. Many folks say it greatly reduces par but this is also very negligible.

I have had glass tops on my reef for years. Originally purchased to keep my golden dwarf moray eel in the tank. No issues with pH, temp and even when dirty par reduction is very small

The only problem i had with my glass top was having to clean it every couple days. If you don't mind that, go for it.

 

[ReeferBee]

I usually go a couple weeks between cleaning but I am LAZY lol. This is a pic of my tops over two weeks since being cleaned

 

[Roy 9121]

I usually go a couple weeks between cleaning but I am LAZY lol. This is a pic of my two week I cleaned tops

I would say that is blocking a lot of light.

 

[40B Knasty]

Biggest pro and I am surprised it has not been mentioned. Splash up into your light fixture and less moisture getting into the guts of your light fixture to cause rusting, shorts, or blown LEDs.
And yes I have one.