Open Top Aquariums

[djlen]

I'm considering hanging my shop light, or lights, if I buy another one, from the ceiling and going with an open top. I've never considered this before for two reasons. Fish jumping out of the tank, and evaporation. I think, however, that by going that way, I can add an extra set of tubes over the tank, and have easier access. Also, it might be nice to see if I can get some of the plants to flower. The evaporation issue is not a biggie, since I change water every week and add it back, but how do you keep the fish in the tank when going with an open top? And how much would I lose, lighting wise by just hanging the lights and leaving the glass top on?
Len

[Tempest]

I think it depends on what sort of fish you have. I keep the top off my 55 gallon during the day but need to put it back on at night during the winter to conserve heat since the house is quite a bit cooler than I keep the aquarium. (It was working the heaters too much at night) I've never had a fish jump out. I think I read that angelfish might jump if startled but it's fairly calm round here.

[kveeti]

Thanks for asking this, djlen. May I add another question or two? How far above the tank do you hang the lights? Also, how does that affect cleaning? I would be bumping into them, do you have a pully system or something to raise them?

[Tempest]

I have them about six inches above but I also have a bungee cord up behind the aquarium I can pull across and hold them entirely out of the way if I like. I haven't had to use that often though.

[kveeti]

Thanks, Tempest.


Originally posted by djlen
And how much would I lose, lighting wise by just hanging the lights and leaving the glass top on?
Len

Would like to know this also; I already have that thin glass under the bulbs in my canopy - it doesn't stay totally clear for very long. Could you use that grating stuff, cut to fit? Disadvantage to that would be that it's white - comes in pretty metallic colours too but I would assume that wouldn't be good in damper conditions.

[Tempest]

I don't know how much you lose but since the shop lights have poor reflectors I figured to keep from losing it if I could.

[djlen]

I think I dealt with the reflector problem fairly well by lining the inside with aluminum foil(shiny side facing out). It made a big difference in the brightness.
As to the angelfish jumping.....mine break the surface every time I feed them. They're like little pigs. And my corys reach speeds of 80mph(I've timed them with radar) from a dead stop at the bottom, to the surface. I worry about what would happen with no glasss top for them to crash into. What do you think?
Len

[nvision]

i have a 20g open top and i lose around 1cm of water level per day. that's a lot. it might be attributed to the cold weather here, but just make sure to refill the water before it gets uncomfortably low. personally, i don't mind doing it.

http://www.jaudesign.com/aquaria/20g.htm

oh by the way, i keep a pair of angels as well. i haven't seen them jump yet. same goes to the glowlights and the pair of ottos. as for the ghost shrimps, i don't think they would jump either. :)

[125gJoe]

The only way I'd go with "open - tops" is with METAL Halides....

Those lights are expensive, but what a 'good look'! There is heat build-up with them.. So, it's good to have an 'open top' on the aquarium.

.....Now.... if I could only afford Metal Halides.... :(

..WoW....

[superjohnny]

There really is nothing like finding a dead fish behind your tank that is completely dried up. First thing you think is "I wonder how long ago he died?"

It may be the perfect way to get rid of that pesky girlfriend :D

[RBlanc]

I used to have an open top 90 gallon fresh with metal halides. I went to a closed top after 6 or 7 of my rainbows jumped out. One of them made it clear across a 15 foot family room before I found him under the couch.:(

[plantbrain]

Hummmm, fish chips.

You can also raise up a Powercompact set up like the the little legs they have on those Azoo set ups. I think JBJ sells a pendant PC set up but at least 4 folks I know don't like that company.

If you like A&H(I do), you can make your own little stand up legs from wood.
Make your 5 sided box for the lights and attach 2 legs with a block on each leg to support the light against the top of the tank's rim.
I use 1/4" popular wood from Home Depot etc and put the light "guts" in these. Works great, paint it the color to suit and it looks great.

My other tank is MH and another uses Azoo 13w clip on lights for some smaller cube tanks I have. All my tanks are open top.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[FASTRAKR]

Last week we tore down our setup to redo the substrate. I had read about using a rubbermade tub as a temp. aquarium so I figured I would give it a try. I had one of the deep tubs filled less than 1/2 way to the top with the AC300 filter hanging on the side. I came back an hour later and there was one of my wife's beloved platys well shrivelled up un the floor about 18" away from the bin. The poor sucker would have had to have had a 18" vert to clear the sides of the tub unless he swam up the filter out flow but I doubt that since the waterflow twisted (inverted) half way through its fall.

[djlen]

I'm not encouraged by what many of you are saying. I don't want any of my little guys committing suicide on me.
Len

[RBlanc]

I thought it was sushicide. Badabing:D

[Moreta]

In the past I've had metal halides on my reef tanks and used "eggcrate" as a cover to maximize the light and keep the heat down to a minimum. That's the plastic panels with an "open squares" that are used to cover up ceiling light fixtures. It cuts down on fish jumping out, depending on the size of the openings. They can be cut to fit your tank and are pretty cheap at Home Depot or other home improvement stores.

HTH

Tracy

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by Moreta
In the past I've had metal halides on my reef tanks and used "eggcrate" as a cover to maximize the light and keep the heat down to a minimum. That's the plastic panels with an "open squares" that are used to cover up ceiling light fixtures. It cuts down on fish jumping out, depending on the size of the openings. They can be cut to fit your tank and are pretty cheap at Home Depot or other home improvement stores.

HTH

Tracy Excellent idea! I wonder what type of paint one could use to paint them black? White panels might not look good... (?)

[Moreta]

Can't take credit for the idea Reefers have been using the stuff for years :D I dunno about painting them-I would worry about it flaking off under the lights/heat and into the tank no matter what type of paint you used. The halides I had would fry an egg...

The eggcrate stuff I used wasn't that thick and when cut to size fit right down into the plastic lip around the top of my tank-like an all glass cover. You never saw it until you leaned over. Cut mine into 2 sections so I could maintain the filters and not have to lift the whole thing out. You could DYI a frame of sorts that would hide it if it showed over the top of the tank.

Good Luck,

Tracy