What is your opinion on canopy tops for aquariums?

Do you have a canopy top on any of your tanks? What are the pros/cons? I like the look but am curious if it makes cleaning and/or feeding a hassle. I'm looking at a few different used tanks on Craigslist and a couple of them come with a canopy. Is a glass top compatible with a canopy? Thank you!!!

 

I had a canopy on my 75 and will use it on my 90 (Had to take the 75 down, there were problems.) It's not a problem for me as I'm a 6' guy, it's not hard for me to reach around in the tank because of that. Regardless, the kind of canopy I have you can just pull it forward to take off the aquarium. The back side of it is completely open so you can just lift it up to the tank and slide it on.

 

Personally speaking? I think they are very dated. I don't care for them usually, takes a very special build for me to like a canopy. I'm also all rimless tanks too so canopies just don't work with me anymore.

I found canopies to be a hassle with doing much of anything in the tank, and it makes everything look bulky. Not to mention straight out of the 70s or 80s if its wood. The pros are if you have DIY lights or just a setup that is functional but not pretty then it hides all of that, it can also stop fish from jumping out. I just don't care for them myself, pros and cons to both sides. To each their own.

The coolest canopies I have seen are either built of steel/metal or controlled by linear actuators on the wall.

 

Interesting points. I can get a 55 gallon with stand and canopy delivered to my house for $160. Tank is clean and I don't have to deal with picking it up which is awesome. However, I could get a dirty tank that I have to clean for $40 and a stand for $60 but I have to pick those up myself and do a ton of driving. I'm not sure which to do!

 

I love them, just make sure to seal them as they do trap some condensation.

 

How do you seal them?