Mesh Vs. Glass/Acrylic Top

[Onewolf]

I can't imagine having a reef tank without some sort of ATO.

 

[lanceinhuntsville]

I can't imagine having a reef tank without some sort of ATO.

I’m setting up a 10 gallon for my daughter and putting an ATO in it. No sense in risking messing with salinity because someone forgot something.

 

[fryman]

Don't use acrylic it will warp. Use polycarbonate instead.

My main display tanks have mesh, and an ato to deal with evaporation. Evaporation is actually desireable for me because it allows use of kalkwasser for alk/ca control. Actually more evaporation the better.

My little 15gal frag tank has a polycarbonate top so I don't need an ato, and I just use all for reef instead of kalk. This would be too expensive on a large reef tank but for 15 gallons no big deal.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

Y

I suppose I’m cheap, and I really shouldn’t be.

The ATO solution solves all of my concerns, it’s just another added cost. But probably worth it?

If you're cheap, reefing might not be for you.

My first tank was a 120 gal with metal halide lights and no ATO. Every morning before work I went down to the basement to bring up 2 gallons of water to top off the tank. Not only does this get old after a while, but makes vacations and long weekends impossible. So, in my opinion, the ATO is money well spent.

 

[EugeneVan]

My 180 evaporates like 5+ gallons a day heh

Same here, my 210 evaporate about 5 gal a day too.

 

[Bad Company]

I keep my 180 at 74 degrees and the tank has a 5" glass rim. with no top I only lose about 2 gallons a day. To reduce evap:
- Keep the tank cooler
- Have more freeboard above the water level
- Limit airflow across the water surface

If you have a glass top, and the tank is warmer than the room, and your lights aren't super hot (LEDS), you will get condensation on the glass top.

 

[landlubber]

I suppose I’m cheap, and I really shouldn’t be.

The ATO solution solves all of my concerns, it’s just another added cost. But probably worth it?

its not just top off. its the beginnings of your quest for stability. letting the water level fluctuate will cause hypo or hyper salinity which will stunt your coral growth. the ato may be the most underrated piece of equipment for a reef tank

 

[Mr Cypher]

Got a clear view lid acrylic with mesh super happy with it

 

[Nate Chalk]

Y

I suppose I’m cheap, and I really shouldn’t be.

The ATO solution solves all of my concerns, it’s just another added cost. But probably worth it?

I have the hose from my salt mini station pump in my sump I turn it on 15 seconds a day and refill above the water line in the sump.

 

[BTimms]

T

If you're cheap, reefing might not be for you.

My first tank was a 120 gal with metal halide lights and no ATO. Every morning before work I went down to the basement to bring up 2 gallons of water to top off the tank. Not only does this get old after a while, but makes vacations and long weekends impossible. So, in my opinion, the ATO is money well spent.

Your condescending statement “if you’re cheap, reefing might not be for you” made me laugh. As if I’m actually cheap, and wavering on my long term participation in the hobby.

Great advice, after all these years I should just quit. Your advice has greatly influenced and improved my reef husbandry. I appreciate your deep minded insight, and urge you to continue providing us all with your vast expertise and philosophical words of advice.

 

[lefkonj]

I don't care about the evaporation because I have an ATO, and it also helps with reducing the heat in the tank. From a dust perspective, don't notice a thing.

 

[Wyvern]

Why are you so concerned with evaporation? That's why God invented ATO systems? My 5 gal ATO reservoir/jug typically lasts 7-9 days with my 90 gal tank.

I go through 1 gallon a day in my 109.

I just got in the habit of getting home from work, dump in a gallon of water.

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

T

Your condescending statement “if you’re cheap, reefing might not be for you” made me laugh. As if I’m actually cheap, and wavering on my long term participation in the hobby.

Great advice, after all these years I should just quit. Your advice has greatly influenced and improved my reef husbandry. I appreciate your deep minded insight, and urge you to continue providing us all with your vast expertise and philosophical words of advice.

My apologies. I did not mean for that to come across as condescending. Sometimes words just sound different in your head than they do when someone else reads them.

 

[BTimms]

No

My apologies. I did not mean for that to come across as condescending. Sometimes words just sound different in your head than they do when someone else reads them.

Ok, no worries. I took it the wrong way. My bad.
All the best to you.

 

[Pistondog]

Next summer when you need to cool the tank, that evaporation will be your friend.

 

[snorklr]

my ATO is a $35 eshoppes manual float hooked to a 5 gallon Igloo picnic jug...removed the spout and put in a bulkhead fitting with a silicone washer

 

[gbroadbridge]

Which is best, mesh or solid glass/acrylic lid top?

Is there a reason one is better than the other?

What do you have on your Aquarium?

I never even considered glass as an option.

Fish need to breath and getting enough oxygen into the salt water is difficult enough, and then you have to get the CO2 out.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Why are you so concerned with evaporation? That's why God invented ATO systems? My 5 gal ATO reservoir/jug typically lasts 7-9 days with my 90 gal tank.

Humid where you live right.? In winter with low humidity, I'd go though that in 2 days.

 

[Pistondog]

Without the tanks, we'd be humidifiing the air more in winter.

 

[Tinnerito]

Y

I suppose I’m cheap, and I really shouldn’t be.

The ATO solution solves all of my concerns, it’s just another added cost. But probably worth it?

I'm like you, as water evaporation is one of my biggest concerns regarding tank lids. I personally prefer acrylic as it really saves my water bill as I have to make nowhere near as much RODI for topoff. When I get my custom cut acrylic lids, I make sure to get them with half inch holes, to allow for gas exchange, while trapping almost all of the water. You'd be surprised. The only downside that I can possibly think of is the initial cost, as the lids themselves can get quite pricy with acrylic. But its a one time pay and in the long run I believe it is worth it. But really you can do what you want, and that no option is really "better" than the other. Just depends on what you're looking for.