Lid or no Lid on Reef Tank

[Plesoine]

Curious if I can use a lid on a Reef tank and of so what do People use? I've used Egg Crate in the past but don't know if that breaks up the light too much. I was thinking Plexi Glass but again not sure. Currently I have no lid. I have Kessil 360s on a 180. Reason I'm asking I bought a Diamond Goby. He is in quarantine with a lid but he's a jumper. Plus I was thinking about getting a Fairy Wrasse but they seem to be jumpers too.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used to not, but with my new build I will be. Lost 3 clownfish that way.
Depended on your tank they may make a mesh lid for it

 

[mermaid_life]

Lid for sure. DIY with window screen + black mesh is cleanest in my opinion. I've tried it all.

 

[Fish Fan]

I would prefer a screen or mesh top to keep fish in, but allow air and light to pass through, rather than a solid glass or plexiglass top, which can build up with salt creep, limiting light, and increasing maintenance. Eggcrate is certainly usable, as long as that 1/2" or so square can keep back your fish (many fish can squeeze out through the tiniest of openings, you'd be shocked).

Choices includes anything your tank manufacturer makes, Kraken Lids, Top Lids, as well as simple DIY screens made from inexpensive materials found at your local big box hardware store.

 

[Fish Fan]

This came up earlier today, it's got a few replies, and will likely get many more. Maybe this will help:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/glass-vs-polycarbonate-for-a-lid.1120123/#post-13722812

 

[Gumbies R Us]

DIY screen door replacement kit is what I used!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I know the consensus on this forum is to use lids, but I don't have lids on my 4 tanks, I've never kept lids, and in almost 20 years I would guess I lost less than 10 fish to jumping, and the jumping always happens in the first week of a new fish being in my tank. But I don't keep fish with reputations of jumping.

 

[Waters]

I will not keep a reef tank without a lid....lost too many expensive fish to jumping. I even had a lion find a way to the carpet :-(

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have never used a lid and do not plan to. I think the limits on gas exchange and light penetration are too large of a penalty unless you have fish types that are especially known to be jumpers.

I do have a canopy that would help, but it does not contain fish like a lid would.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Lid for sure. DIY with window screen + black mesh is cleanest in my opinion. I've tried it all.

I also went for a DIY lid using a screen door kit that we cut down to size. Some people don't use lids, and it works out, but I like not to have to worry about my fish jumping, so you'll never find my tank uncovered. I witnessed my fish getting spooked several times, even after they were established in the tank. Had my lid not been in place, they would have been pro carpet surfers turned cat snacks.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Curious if I can use a lid on a Reef tank and of so what do People use? I've used Egg Crate in the past but don't know if that breaks up the light too much. I was thinking Plexi Glass but again not sure. Currently I have no lid. I have Kessil 360s on a 180. Reason I'm asking I bought a Diamond Goby. He is in quarantine with a lid but he's a jumper. Plus I was thinking about getting a Fairy Wrasse but they seem to be jumpers too.

A lot of people, myself included make their own lids. I bought a screen frame kit from Home Depot, and ordered the mesh screen with 1/4" holes from Amazon, and made my own. It's not hard to do and works very well.

 

[BriDroid]

I made a DIY lid with window screen frame and clear mesh. Honestly, I don’t use it anymore. My fish seem to stay put, so far at least

 

[MikeReefs]

Mesh lid here. A lot of tank manufacturers sell them pre assembled. Will never have a tank without a lid. Care too much and spent too much on livestock to not have a lid

 

[SaltyWalty]

I’ve been using a clear view custom acrylic/mesh lid for a two years or so now! I like it but I have stopped using it because it’s a bit cumbersome to get in and out of the tank, and while it is clear acrylic at the edges it builds up with condensation and salt, which ends up decreasing par around the edges of my tank especially if I have a magnetic frag rack on the glass.

 

[redfishbluefish]

My tanks will always have obnoxiously tall canopies on them:

tt

Some make fun, but I never lose fish to carpet surfing.

 

[mermaid_life]

I’ve been using a clear view custom acrylic/mesh lid for a two years or so now! I like it but I have stopped using it because it’s a bit cumbersome to get in and out of the tank, and while it is clear acrylic at the edges it builds up with condensation and salt, which ends up decreasing par around the edges of my tank especially if I have a magnetic frag rack on the glass.

Yup. Acrylic looks nice at first but very heavy to take off/put on for cleaning and general tank access

 

[JumboShrimp]

I just installed the newest generation feeding port (from Neat Aquatics) to replace the older model. I prefer lids, using the old adage, "Any fish is capable of jumping." Of course, you seem to have a handle on some with the actual reputation (probability) for doing so.

 

[56longroof]

I went with a DD Jumpguard. Its fairly cheap,easy to build,and had held up very well for a year now. It keeps fish in with very little light shade and allows plenty of gas exchange.

 

[Aquarist76]

Use a lid, even if you don't have fish that "normally" jump. I've lost some clowns to getting bullied and they ended up jumping out of the tank. If you have fish that jump, then a lid is a must have. I've used egg crate but have had fish thicker than the egg crate holes some how get through them. Lost 2 flashing tilefish and a couple bella gobies. Now I put 1/8" mesh over the egg crate with zip ties (but lay the mesh side down, I've had fish jump through the egg crate and then get trapped between the egg crate and mesh if the mesh is on the top side). I've tried the DIY frame/mesh lids but they just aren't very good IMO. If you have the money to invest in a good acrylic lid, then I recommend that. Of course then you gotta worry about algae forming on it and salt creep; both of which will diminish the light transmission.