Tank Covering: What, How, When and Why?

[Tuan Black]

Low tech plaskolite fluorescent light cover

 

[Johnnynle]

No cover. Just one of those things I haven’t gotten to yet. Luckily I have no jumpers in the tank. Well, they haven’t jumped yet (knock on wood). It’s been a couple years now though. I will be getting a few more fish that are known jumpers, so a cover is a definite soon.

 

[Qasimja]

i didnt have my tank covered til about 3 months ago my angelfish decided she wanted to jump out of the tank chasing flake food from the surface luckily i was sitting right there then a week later she did it again so i made some mesh tops lol

 

[Russell Casey]

I keep my tank covered with a combo of a canopy and nylon screen. I cover my system because I like to keep a tank full of known jumpers (wrasse and dartfish).

Even then I recently had a salon wrasse that somehow wriggled through and ended up on the floor

I personally would use glass tops to cover the system if possible, but it quickly gets dirty and blocks the lighting for corals.

My fear with glass covers was my wonderful carpet surfing wrasse who has a death wish, my fear was he was going to kill himself hitting the glass top. As he would come up hard. So I switched to nylon.

 

[Russell Casey]

i didnt have my tank covered til about 3 months ago my angelfish decided she wanted to jump out of the tank chasing flake food from the surface luckily i was sitting right there then a week later she did it again so i made some mesh tops lol

I am with you. To me for how cheap the mesh is, it is a no brainer. I lost two two the floor, with a lid, the one got out of a little tiny area.

 

[daileyo]

I keep mine covered 24/7 with glass lids for two reasons:
1. Evaporation control. I live in an extremely hot and dry area. With the tank uncovered, I'd lose a little over 5 gallons per week to evaporation. With it covered, I lose ~ 2 gallons per week due to evaporation.
2. Excitable fish. I have fish that get very excitable during feeding. I lost one once that jumped out even with a lid. He jumped out when I wasn't home and by the time I found him he was long gone.

I like the look of it uncovered, and enjoy being able to look straight down into the water; but it is just not as practical for me.

 

[somethinq else]

Yeah i don't do a cover. Me and my fish have an understanding....if they jump out...they WILL infact die because it will be weeks before they get discovered. We have a small huddle at the inception of being introduced to the tank. Sort of like prayer service. And then we leave it at that. So far I haven't had any suicidal fish....but i know they are out there.

 

[somethinq else]

Well atleast your fish won't get corona....

 

[Nigel35]

I have a rimless JBJ with no canopy at all. But I would like to know how to build one that would fit my curved corners. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[coral408]

I now cover the tank 24/7 with HD window frames and net after a male and female anthias jumped out of tank during feeding, one over the floor and the other into the overflow!
Luckily, they are both rescued!

 

[dbowman5]

I am learning, which is a danger to livestock. I had glass covers that work really well. my return and overflow go out the back wall. the only cut outs are the corners outside the tank inner dimensions that allow the required wires to exit without leaving the covers elevated. I am exploring 'no cover' for oxygen exchange and full light transfer. i am doing it now before i get any known frequent jumpers. soon i will replace the covers and add said problem children. at that time it will be 100%
covered 24/7

 

[Nanorock1970]

do you experience lower ph and higher temps with this setup?

I have a hinged glass cover and I do not have elevated temps or low PH. I have a spray bar return breaking the surface and my wave pumps are slightly angled up to creates more surface turbulence.

 

[Nanorock1970]

My tank has a hinged glass lid that is only open for feeding and maintenance.

I am mostly happy with this solution as I have not had any jumpers, I have turbulent water surface that seems to help as I do not have reduced PH. The only downside is keeping it clean. My nitrite snails keep the growth off of it but the outside accumulates salt creep and there is some cloudiness I clean probably 2x a week. I guess a plus is the dog fur I find on the lid is not in my tank.

 

[Nanorock1970]

My fear with glass covers was my wonderful carpet surfing wrasse who has a death wish, my fear was he was going to kill himself hitting the glass top. As he would come up hard. So I switched to nylon.

Definitely a reason for a “soft net” over your tank

 

[Shanel]

I have had tanks uncovered and covered. Believe me having an uncovered tank is bad news when you have critters. I've had glass covers, not my favorite cause of maintenance and casting shadows. Screens are ok but they still cast shadows. Best I ever had was an open top 12 inch tall hood that my light fit on top. The light covered most if the top. No shadows and no escapees.

 

[Nanorock1970]

1. Is your tank covered? If not please tell us your reasoning.

Frag tank is not covered and so far I have not had one jump. All tanks with fish are covered 24/7.

2. How do you have your tank covered and are you happy with the solution you're using?

DiY screens with 1/4" black netting that I bought in bulk years ago.

3. What do you dislike about having to keep your tank covered?

Nothing.

Might want to be careful if your frags ever do decide to jump....

 

[Flippers4pups]

Old picture. Canopy all the way for the win! ;Joyful;Shamefullyembarrased;Smuggrin;Woot;Hilarious

 

[smokin'reefer]

I did the Red Sea DIY kit on my P650. Despite a lot of bad reviews on this kit. I actually think it came out quite well. Not as flimsy as has been reported.

 

[Kfactor]

I hate the look of any cover

 

[Kfactor]

I hate screen tops so here is my solution to the fish jumping if they can jump over I lose

I really don’t mind the look of that