What type of canopy do you use?

Fudsey · Jul 3, 2016

I have always used a glass canopy for my tanks, I guess I'm a little old school. I know I can hear one of my fish popping the top of the water at times so I am afraid to remove it. I see others go topless and some using screen.

If topless, have you lost any fish because of it?

If using screen, what type?

Any help is appreciated as I am unsure which way I want to go, remove top and hope for the best, get a screen or keep using the glass...

shoelaceike · Jul 3, 2016

It's tough....right now I'm using glass but I'm sure it's blocking some light as it gets dirty very quickly. I would like to switch to a screen but I'm afraid of excess evaporation....

davocean · Jul 3, 2016

I think the screen tops like the kits BRS sells are the best really

Fudsey · Jul 3, 2016

I guess I should elaborate, I have a 72 gal bow front and I haven't found anyone that makes a screen top for it or even parts to fit the front bow section for it.

davocean · Jul 3, 2016

That is an issue, but people figure a way to do a screen top one way or another on those, even if you did eggcrate for the bow part and a straight rectangle of screen from that point back or something of that nature

Fudsey · Jul 3, 2016

I figure I can DIY something. I took the glass off and I am running it open for now. I'll wait to see if anyone jumps, I hope not but I guess only time will tell.

Not sure if I will keep it open or put the glass back on....

Cyclist · Jul 14, 2016

I like to create things. That being said I would do a combo of glass and screen. I would screen off the rectangle portion and have some glass cut to fit the "bow". Create the transition with a slim piece of plastic/poly that would be strong enough to support the weight of the glass.

All that only if I wanted a top. I love rimless and the open look

moreef · Jul 14, 2016

i use a canopy and love it

Cyclist · Jul 14, 2016

1eberk said:
i use a canopy and love it

Pictures!!!

TheHarold · Jul 14, 2016

Fudsey said:
I guess I should elaborate, I have a 72 gal bow front and I haven't found anyone that makes a screen top for it or even parts to fit the front bow section for it.

]

Artfully Acrylic makes custom lids to any dimensions, send them an email!

TheHarold · Jul 14, 2016

From artfully acrylic

Cyclist · Jul 14, 2016

TheHarold said:
From artfully acrylic

That looks good!

Fudsey · Jul 14, 2016

I really like the look of the Artfully Acrylic but the price, not so much

@TheHarold How do you open the top on that? Remove the whole thing?

I will probably DIY something using the front pieces of glass that already fit the bow with some small strips of glass in the back. Then I can add screen in between. Or just use the glass as a template for acrylic.

TheHarold · Jul 14, 2016

Fudsey said:
I really like the look of the Artfully Acrylic but the price, not so much @TheHarold How do you open the top on that? Remove the whole thing?

I will probably DIY something using the front pieces of glass that already fit the bow with some small strips of glass in the back. Then I can add screen in between. Or just use the glass as a template for acrylic.

It comes off easily and there's a feeding door

revhtree · Jul 15, 2016

No canopy for me! Easier to into the tank!

mwilk19 · Jul 15, 2016

After losing a couple of favorite fish to carpet surfing, I got a lid from Artfully Acrylic. Yes, they're not cheap but it looks good on my rimless tank and it keeps my fish off of the floor.

mr fixit · Jul 15, 2016

Diy cabinet from menards open top no glass or screens pc fans on the sides kessil in the middle blocks out excess light ant two tinted panes of glass on top the hermit crabs climb up the powerheads wires n sometimes hang out in the hood but never escape its totally sealed around the bottom of the hood to the top of the tank painted white inside

mr fixit · Jul 15, 2016

Inside view

JerryO · Jul 15, 2016

TheHarold said:
]

Artfully Acrylic makes custom lids to any dimensions, send them an email!

They are thet BEST!!!

Fudsey · Jul 16, 2016

shoelaceike said:
It's tough....right now I'm using glass but I'm sure it's blocking some light as it gets dirty very quickly. I would like to switch to a screen but I'm afraid of excess evaporation....

Funny you said this, as I always thought so. I did a Lux test with my phone yesterday both under and on top of the glass(with salt swirls) and got the same reading. But seeing as Lux tests more for human eyes vs what the tank needs, I think the glass probably does block some wave links that Lux doesn't record.