Glass tops with canopy?

[cedwards]

I'm planning my next aquarium and intend to build my own canopy. For those of you with canopies - do you use glass tops also? Or is it safe to have nothing between the water and the lights other than a few inches of air?

Thanks!

[RanchuRick]

I use plexiglass. If you don't put anything between the water and the light, you'll have algae growing on the light in no time.

[BloodThirsty28]

yeah, I use a glass top to protect the light and wood.

[cedwards]

Thanks - that is pretty much what I thought but was looking for confirmation.

[EahInMass]

I don't have anything between the two. My hun built our canopy about a year ago and we have not had a problem with it yet. I did read somewhere recently though that if you are using CO2 you should have a closed top on your tank.....was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this before as I use CO2 in my tank.

[Sploke]

I use glass tops as well, partly to keep the fish from jumping and partly to control evaporation, as the tank is in the basement and too much dampness will grow mold on the walls. I alsy was afraid that if a fish splashed the lights when they were hot, they could shatter and I'd have broken glass all over my tank. Might be unlikely, but possible. I just went to the hardware store and had them cut pane glass to size for me, much cheaper than plexi.

[Gatorguy]

I use glass tops between the water and my canopy. Like others have said, it protects the lights from splashes and helps control evaporation. One negative is that it also holds in heat and tends to make my tank a little warmer.

110g, 220w AH Supply retro kit in canopy

[cedwards]

Gatorguy - I assume that's the 4x55 package from AHSupply? That's what I intend to put over my new 90 gallon. Anyone use fans in their canopies, or are you OK without them?

[Mgamer20o0]

there is no glass or anything between my canopy. there has never been any algae on anything out side the tank. i have had my tank like this and never had any problems. in my case the open tank allows my tank to keep cool.