screen vs glass cover?

[Neptune 555]

I switched to screen covers for my tanks... and seriously I have gone back to glass tops. My evaporation is a real and constant problem. I have noticed no difference in my fish and coral happiness.

Are you using glass tops or screens? I have jumpers.. and after finding 2 fish carpet surf I will never risk it again.

Why the love with the screen tops?

 

[WVNed]

They don't condense water on the bottom and block my light and drip all over the floor when I remove them. As for evaporation, my ATO handles that.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Some people love the screen tops.
Our glass tops need more cleaning but I think I will always prefer that.

It allows me to keep my cheap lights much closer to the tank without overspray.
[emoji6]

No shelf close to the tank. When I need a 3rd hand the top is convenient. (Not for reagents! Or anything that could drip into the tank!)

 

[DSC reef]

I preferred screen tops for gas exchange. Evaporation was never a concern.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Heat can also be a problem with glass tops.

 

[Duffer]

Glass tops here.. I have no problem with heat exchange,helps minimize evaporate. As far as gas exchange my tops have the corners cut out and 1/2 gap between the tops

 

[Fin]

I had glass tops on my Oceanic 200 decades ago and I swore never again. Condensation on the underside and even algae growing on the bottom. Major pain to clean for me. Of course, they were rather large tops, so that added to the issue. Screen tops are my preference.

 

[ca1ore]

I use both as a way to balance evaporation/humidity in my sump room while ensuring adequate gas exchange and maximizing light on the display.

 

[Mical]

I use both as a way to balance evaporation/humidity in my sump room while ensuring adequate gas exchange and maximizing light on the display.

I'm with CA, I use both screens in summer months and glass in winter. Plus when on trips I put glass on to slow evaporation.

 

[Rjukan]

I had issues with the condensation on the glass top. The drops would get huge and affect the light to a point that it was creating bright spots that looked like you were using a magnifying glass. After switching to a screen I realized I probably could have just raised one side of the glass so the beads would run rather than collect into huge drops.

With the screen I didnt notice evap to be that bad during the summer when it was a bit more humid out, but now that the air is dry I've been going through my 5g reserve in 5 days or so (60g with 15g sump).

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I preferred screen tops for gas exchange. Evaporation was never a concern.

I agree with this

 

[maroun.c]

Evaporation isn't difficult to deal with with an ATO. Glass top.causes condensation, lack of water/ air contacy and oxygenation as well as potential overheating.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have used glass tops for over 20 years and just started a new tank which has a custom screened top. I believe I can say, the screen cover allows more light penetration as the glass covers do allow dust to settle and underside to acquire film of salt from powerheads.
However, I have a plastic fish bag under my reefbrite as the splash does get past screen and hits the bag when fish are feeding and causing splash. I have also with screen observed fast evaporation, whereas I have low evaporation with glass covers. The tank is also quieter from flow to the overflow noise with the glass tops.

Its a matter of preference to me rather than advantage/disadvantage

 

[Mortie31]

I preferred screen tops for gas exchange. Evaporation was never a concern.

Has anyone actually proved that glass tops affect gas exchange or is it just another old reefers tale?

 

[DSC reef]

Has anyone actually proved that glass tops affect gas exchange or is it just another old reefers tale?

I have no scientific data, lol. What top do you prefer?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Has anyone actually proved that glass tops affect gas exchange or is it just another old reefers tale?

no data. would be interesting to research. well, somebody else to research, not me.

 

[Mortie31]

I have no scientific data, lol. What top do you prefer?

I’ve had both glass covers and no top and never saw any difference, if I wasn’t running a sump and a skimmer I might be more concerned about gas exchange, but air can squeeze through the smallest of gaps so plenty of exchange either way

 

[JayBABQ]

I run both. The glass on my 75 FOWLER tends to run the tank hot, limits the light a bit and creates a mess on the underside collecting water drops and etching the glass, BUT it cuts down on my fresh water reservoir filling since it is not hooked to the R/O. My 150 Reef has a screen top for jumpers. It uses ATO water like crazy but runs cool and light is clear and bright. If you are running a sump I wouldn't think gas exchange is a concern, but I don't know or have any data. I think it depends on what type of tank you run, what your goals are and facilities will will allow.

I like screen for unforgiving reef tanks, for light clarity, cooling (live in the hot desert) and use R/O ATO to cut down on water filling concerns. For FOWLER those things are not that important to me and I don't have R/O there so I use glass.

 

[cracker]

I have heat issues so screen for me

 

[norfolkgarden]

We have central air/heat and maintain it around 72 to 74.
The glass top holding in heat is a positive for me. [emoji846]

The tank heater seldom runs and our electric bill is that much lower.
Lol, maybe we save $10 a year?

I'm guessing you never really have to clean your screen top?
Lol, that would certainly be a nice change.

The air pump draws from another room and the flow filters have the tops open.

Guessing the gas exchange with a glass top would have to be "less". That only makes sense. But enough to worry about?

For anyone that has run both over time, have you noticed a difference in ph values over time? [emoji848]

I think that could make a positive difference for screen tops, if that is accurate.

For me, salt creep kept under the glass is enough reason to go with glass.
Yss, they do drip. Take 4 seconds and let it run back to the tank before you lower it onto a thin pad of paper towels. [emoji846]