Planted Tank Covers

[tony]

If your tank is covered, what are you using that will allow the best light transmission, but keep your fish in? If you are not covering your tank, how concerned should I be about clown loaches and angels jumping out of a 75 gallon?

I would think glass blocks too much, the white eggcrate seems to reflect too much?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have 15 tanks with plants- 14 have glass tops and one has one of those cheap plastic full hoods with a strip. Tanks range in size from 5.5 to 75 gals and lighting from .8wpg to 3 wpg.

Glass tops need to be cleaned now and then to maximize the amount of light passing through.

 

[StLouisan]

Good question!
I'm a revisiting hobbyist and I've been debating whether or not to leave my 46 Gal bowfront covered or to uncover it. I'm in the process of getting a Current Orbit PC for the tank. On one hand I like the idea of an uncovered tank and not having to clean the glass top or replacing the rubber hinge over time. On the other hand, leaving the tank voids the warranty of the PC fixture, and I wonder just how securely the mounting feet stay on the tank. I don't think a fried tank or worse a fried hobbyist(me!) is worth the aesthetic. Fish jumping out is the least of my worries, except if I had discus

I've thought about the eggcrate idea as a compromise, but it just wouldn't look right.

Any thoughts as how to set up a secure PC light fixture w/out the risk of electrocution?

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

I'm currently using a Perfecto glass cover on my tank, with a light fixture on top shining into the tank. Works well for my plants.

There are 3 problems I can think of with an uncovered tank:
#1 fish jump out
#2 tank gets cold & the heater must be on all the time
#3 a lot of tank's water evaporates

 

[tony]

Keeping the glass "clean" I do not consider too much of a problem. The water droplits on the underside of the glass does not cause a significant loss of light?

 

[Ms.Bubbles]

In my situation, I've got a 10g with a 15 watt light over a glass cover, and I'm growing all the low-light plants (anubias, crypt, java fern, hygro) well. Condensation is present, but not to a huge degree.

If you are concerned about light levels, you could always just add another small light on top of your tank. With a glass top, it's so easy to either place another light on top, or even shine a CF desk lamp into the tank to supplement it.