To cover or not to cover?

[tennesseemom]

I used to completely cover my tank, then I read some people don't cover their tanks, so I left the back and front part of the cover off, and kept the glass where the lights are. I loved how much "fresher" the tank seems. That was a few weeks ago. This morning, I found a platy dead between the moonlights and the glass

What do you do? Maybe I should just cover it completely at night and let the "freshness" back in during the day?

 

[lovemybarbs]

I have mine completely covered, but I pull the glass forward so the lid won't shut quite all the way so less condensation builds up. I have hard water and it keeps the glass from getting a lot of moisture build-up on it. It works too.

 

[duke33]

I keep mine covered as much as possible. It keeps the fish from jumping out, and IMO helps with evaporation.

 

[Cory Keeper]

canopy, prevent jumpers, danios and guppys are known jumpers. Heh, when I was getting more danios (i used to have 7 at one point), one jumped out of the net while the girl working there was netting them.

 

[KO Lo]

I have three tanks, and none of them are covered. Unless if the environment requires it.

 

[blasterman_]

Covered, for three main reasons.

(1) Reduces evaporation. Less evaporation means fewer top-offs which means I'm dumping less garbage nutrients from my municipal water supply into my tank. I consider a visible waterline on any of my tanks, or anybody elses, to be ugly and a sign of poor maintenance.

(2) Fish jumpers (self explanatory)

(3) Protects lights. Unless of course I'm using a covered hanging pendant.

I'm sorry, but the aeration arguement doesn't hold water (pardon the pun) in my book. I have power heads with a reduced venturi flow for that.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

11 open tanks and counting..... plenty high light co2 tanks. the option is yours.

 

[247Plants]

I always go topless...

 

[duke33]

I always go topless...

Shame on you..you could lose a fish.lol.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

havent had a fish jump out of any of my tanks yet.