lids

[Polishpower]

hello
I was wondering if I should put a lid on my tank. what are the pros and cons for glass and acrylic. I have led sb reef lights running about 50%. I am doing a mixed reef. the water is just evaporating so fast it is hard to keep up at times. thanks for the help

 

[Lninwa]

I like a screen top like at BRS

 

[RCs reef]

Do you have an ato on your tank? You want the water to evaporate that's one of the ways your tank cools.If you put a lid run a chance of running hot. off you don't have jumpers for fish I wouldn't worry about a lid. Get you an ato and you will be fine.

 

[johnlicht46]

I have diy glass lids on my tank and sump to slow evaporation. And to keep my wrasse in the tank. The temp on my tank stays around 78. I keep the tank lid open about 1" so it doesn't overheat. (Tank has a canopy so no one can jump out the gap). I do get salt creep on the lids. But I just clean them during weekly wc

 

[Mike_J]

An ATO and mesh screen lid for better gas exchange. That's my 4 cents!

 

[pdt7361]

I love my brs screen top. I was able to custom cut the needed pieces and leave room for the cables to leave the tank. Plus it was super easy to modify to add my auto-feeder.

 

[LetItReef]

Check out Artfully acrylics they make custom lids.

 

[Mike_J]

Check out Artfully acrylics they make custom lids.

I have one of these on my tank. The best custom lids out there. Highly recommend!

@ArtFully Acrylic

 

[Polishpower]

I think I will try the auto top off first. any recommendations on ato?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Check out spectrapure's ato systems. they are far superior to other atos, but the upfront cost is a little more. you'll save money in the long run by not having to replace faulty controllers and pumps in the future.

As far as lids go, you can use a piece of glass but you'll get condensation build up which can block light. A solid piece of plastic (abs, polycarbonate or acrylic) will warp due to condensation and gravity. I've been making acrylic screen lids for over five years (but I can't sell/advertise here), so if you're handy with acrylic and a router you can DIY one. they're not as cheap as using aluminum frames (brs, hardware store) but they look nicer and won't block light.