n2dcwitme

Another noob question. I've read (here, I think) that covering the tank completely is not advised because it minimizes gas exchange between tank water and the atmosphere. Makes sense to me, in a scientific sort of way.

I've also read the exact opposite, that leaving the tank open maximizes evaporation, leads to instability in salinity, etc, etc.

Of course, if I had escape artists or kamikaze fish in the tank, I'd need to cover it. One source says to use egg crate foam to create the physical barrier while maintaining gas exchange.

So far, leaving the tank uncovered, I've noticed occasional dog hairs, and perhaps an increased evaporation rate. Will test salinity soon and see how dorked up it is.

Is your tank covered, uncovered, and why?

MizRamzi

Just about every reefer I know has an open top tank. They use a DIY screen top to keep in the jumpers. I do know that a tank without proper co2 exchange will lead to pH imbalance.
Personally I have a bio cube which has a complete hood, but I keep my windows open as much as possible (my tank is in my bedroom) and I'll leave the feeding panel open on warmer days. Winters are the worst time for these sort of issues.
Evaporation is an easy fix. Just add water. Weekly WC's are good also.
Now that you got my curiosity up, I'm gonna do some more research on this. Got lots of experienced reefers to talk to

n2dcwitme

I like the screen idea. Will need to do something. I'm considering poisonous fish, and I have a dog who eats everything. That would be very bad. Doo dwarf lionfish tend to jump?

new_sw_gurl

I had someone with 25+ years in saltwater help set up my tank. It has glass tops and a full wooden canopy. I have 2 powerheads aimed toward the top to help with gas exchange.
I often pull dead flies/mosquitos off of the glass that love flying by the lights as well as dust. If I didn't have the glass, all of this debris (plus a lot of dog hair!) would be in my tank

n2dcwitme

It's interesting how everyone does things a bit differently. At this point, I'm just soaking up as much info as possible and trying to make wise decisions. I tend to learn "the hard way." A few dead fish are expected. A dead dog would be the end of my fish keeping career.

MizRamzi

Only issue is you'll find a lower ph with a closed top which I personally can attest to at 7.6 we're talking co2 exchange lacking. As far as dabrie getting in the tank like cat/dog hair, the screen top catches it. With a glass top you'll get salt deposits, clean clean clean! As for bugs, let the fish eat em )

n2dcwitme

Yeah, I've ditched the glass cover. Just one more thing to keep clean, and it still doesn't cover the back half of the tank. The mechanical filter gets the dog hair. Think I'll go the screen route eventually, though uncovered works for now.