new tank questions

[Saltlife]

I built a new oak stand and oak canopy for my 120 (pics soon). The canopy was put on last night and today it looks like mold is trying to grow due to all of the moisture in there. The canopy is fully enclosed on all 4 sides and top, I put 2 coats of kilz on the inside, siliconed cracks and kreg screws. I have 2 36" compacts in there for light and thats it. Should I have some holes in the top?? Is this normal?? I had a temp canopy from bare wood on the tank while I was on vacation and when I got back it had mold starting to grow on the inside of it.


When do you feed your fish? I leave so early in the morning the fish are not up yet so I dont feed them. I dont get home till late and feed them then. My lights are set up to come on around 8am actinic blue, around 10am white, around 6pm white goes off, around 8pm blue goes off. Some of the fish dont move around till white lights come on.

 

[jmann124]

I had this issue at one time. I took the back panel off of my canopy. It created a sort of moisture exhaust. You can install PC type fans that will cool the surface to keep water from evaporating as much which will help with mold. You can also install the same type fans as an exhaust instead of blowing on the water. I'm not sure what works best. Like I said, I went the route of opening the back of my canopy. This will not work if you have a jumper. Unless you put a screen on.

 

[TankedNTn]

I have the same problem with feeding my fish. I leave well before the lights kick on and don't get home till after 6 pm. I just feed them as soon as I get in and sometimes once more before the lights go off at 11pm.

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[Reefing Madness]

Change your lighting schedule to suit your needs. If your not home during the day to see the fish, no reason to have the lights on. My lighting schedule runs 4pm to 1am, this way you actually get to see the fish, and feed them when they aren't hiding.
The canopy, I'd get a couple of air holes in the back of it, install some fans for movement, you really don't want all that air trapped up there, not good for gas exchange, not good for heat getting trapped.

 

[mike007]

Yes you do need some circulation inside that canopy wheter it is fans are air holes. I would think you would be getting alot of heat buildup with a closed canopy. I feed my fish once when the lights are on at night when i am home.

 

[Saltlife]

Thanks guys!! I appricate all the help. I will go and look at some fans, might just cut some holes in the very top.

 

[jmann124]

You can get small 40mm pic fans on amazon for cheap. I think I actually have 2 unused I'd be willing to part with.

 

[fragmatic]

As far as feeding times.... any time the lights are on for a few minutes or longer before, of the day is fine. I'd try to make it sometime that you have the best chance to be consistent. I have had best luck by feeding at a consistent time and several life forms learn the schedule. Even my shrimp are out expecting the food to spill in.

 

[Saltlife]

Thanks Joey but I think I have fixed it for now. I went a couple places and looked at fans but they were pricey. I came back home and cut several holes in the very top with a hole saw. It seems to be working for now, I havent seen any moisture in there yet.

I have changed feeding to when I get home and before I go to bed.

 

[jmann124]

Thanks Joey but I think I have fixed it for now. I went a couple places and looked at fans but they were pricey. I came back home and cut several holes in the very top with a hole saw. It seems to be working for now, I havent seen any moisture in there yet.