Do you guys use tops or no ?

[Angrywalnut]

I ran a clear view mesh top for 2 years with a 60 inch tank, no canopy.

I like the glass tops. Water evaporation went from 3/4 gallon a day to about 10 oz. I monitor humidity in the house and it
decreased with the glass top addition. Whole house dehumidifier also has less monthly run time.

I haven't seen an issue with gas exchange as long as skimmer is running. May even help to keep high C02 from closed house(I monitor that too) from mixing with tank water. Skimmer draws outside air. Not to mention airborne indoor pollutants that contact the water surface.

Tank temp increased 2.5 degrees with the tops(summer time) The heaters have not run since using the tops. I maintain 75 room temp and 77.5 to 77.9 in tank. (tank currently 80.5 peak). My heaters run a lot in the winter,(RM. temp 72) every 1/2 hr for 40-45 minutes. If the tops keep those heaters from running as often I see it as a plus. I have not had the tops over the winter yet.

Is it possible the dirty glass can act as somewhat of a diffuser for LED hot spotting? Speculating here.
I clean them once a week with normal maintenance.

I find they also help to Quiet the splash sounds from the overflow or turbulent water from power heads.

 

[James Tucker]

Clearview tsunami screen acrylic here. I have my lights pretty high up so I don’t get any splash.

 

[Katrina71]

I use a mesh lid from Octo Aquatics.

This. Only this! The quality is outstanding!

 

[mfinn]

I've tried just about every style of top made and currently I'm using a DD Jumpguard kit.
I really like the low profile with no clips needed.

 

[aircrane1]

I am really lucky. I have access to CNC's and lasers at work. I made my own acrylic / mesh lid. The only acrylic I had at the time was too thin for using anything other than little acrylic bolts to hold the mesh in place but it works. When I get the chance I may try to find another way to mount the screen into the acrylic without the bolts.

I made a small cut out for the Eheim feeder mount.

Tabs used in the design made for a good hold along the edge of the tank.

My weapon of choice.

 

[Tamberav]

I use classic artfully acrylic screen top. It is strong an keeps 3 cats out who love water.

 

[sick1166]

I use a mesh lid from Octo Aquatics.

Gotta check into that very nice top

 

[Bryson.bobby]

I made a top out of some screen gutter guards. I won’t be home till Friday but I’ll take some pics then.

They’re basically two of these zip tied together to act like an hinge lol

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive Always had tops on tank and mainly glass due to : Low evaporation, prevent jumping and keep water from my lights. Yes, glass does haze but also acts like diffusers which ecotech and Ai both sell and now kessil does also.
My 93 cube has glass- Always clear
My drop off tank has custom screen - some splatter but minimal
My 660g has custom acrylic inserts for openings but fairly clear and really reduces noise

 

[krash7172]

Screen lid. I happened to have a screen that fit perfectly. If you are old like me you know of metal screens. Don't use those. Lol

 

[Blitheran]

Ugh I feel like lids are a love hate relationship. You hate to see them, but you love them because they keep my fish safe

 

[kintle]

I originally was bare top till a banded go eye jumped. I found a dry crunchy fish. After words I made a acrylic top with lots of holes for gas exchange which worked fine for a few months but it eventually was sagging into the tank. So I removed and adjusted returns for more action on top of the water and went bare again. So far no more jumpers but I find myself counting fish everyday after work now.

 

[Don Lidtke]

I went with a Top Lids for my 250 gallon tank. Stunning work! I couldn’t have been happier with this purchase.

 

[Ross Petersen]

I’m at a school and building a tank. Lots of particulate matter and hands so leaning towards acrylic with a few holes for gas exchange. Will use a custom mesh lid after school hours I’m thinking. Any tips on acrylic lids in terms of thickness, preventing bending, etc.? Or just go with a thin glass top? Cheers

 

[Emma01]

Definitely yes! I had my clownfish of 4 years jump out as well as a goby heartbroken when this happened. Found them on the carpet when I came home

 

[DeepSouth]

I use classic artfully acrylic screen top. It is strong an keeps 3 cats out who love water.

Do they love water, or do they love fish?

 

[Tamberav]

Do they love water, or do they love fish?

They love water and fish!

 

[c.poindexter]

I used to use acrylic tops on my old tank and switched to screen tops.

 

[Westside Guy]

I use the Red Sea DIY net cover.

 

[JRAD]

I’m at a school and building a tank. Lots of particulate matter and hands so leaning towards acrylic with a few holes for gas exchange. Will use a custom mesh lid after school hours I’m thinking. Any tips on acrylic lids in terms of thickness, preventing bending, etc.? Or just go with a thin glass top? Cheers

I think 3/8 inch acrylic or polycarbonate is best for small to med tank. Easy to work with. I use a router to cut out the center then use 1/4 inch clear mesh.