Who all uses lids on their Reef?

Saisori · Mar 27, 2018

After having a few suicidal jumpers, I have consider getting a mesh lid. Just curious who all uses them what type of brands are out there and if this has an overall effect on their corals getting their needed light.

mahindra.dev · Mar 27, 2018

Bulk Reef Supply made a good video on the light effect and screen. Most ppl use them. I got mine from BRS. 1/4 inch netting and other material from Home Depot.

Artfully Acrylic is another option.

Mikedawg · Mar 27, 2018

Saisori said:
After having a few suicidal jumpers, I have consider getting a mesh lid. Just curious who all uses them what type of brands are out there and if this has an overall effect on their corals getting their needed light.

I got the RedSea kit for a diy mesh lid and found it easy to assemble with no noticeable reduction in light for corals (mesh is clear btw) Seen similar products on BRS, MD, etc. and also found same supplies at big box home stores.
Given I have some jumpers as well this was an easy decision.

Daniel@R2R · Mar 27, 2018

I use one on my reef by ArtFully Acrylic. You might also check out the ones by Octo Aquatics. @cromag27 does a LOT of great acrylic work.

cracker · Mar 27, 2018

I'm a firm believer in keeping the tank covered. the mesh from BRS is great for this.

iemsparticus · Mar 27, 2018

I use the mesh from BRS... good stuff. Wouldn’t be caught without it.

TheEngineer · Mar 27, 2018

I have an Octo lid. I’m happy with it.

Brew12 · Mar 27, 2018

I also use they DIY mesh kit from BRS. Although I just recently broke the frame and need to remake it. I picked up a new frame from Home Depot for the rebuild.

Saisori · Mar 27, 2018

Mikedawg said:
I got the RedSea kit for a diy mesh lid and found it easy to assemble with no noticeable reduction in light for corals (mesh is clear btw) Seen similar products on BRS, MD, etc. and also found same supplies at big box home stores.
Given I have some jumpers as well this was an easy decision.

I was considering red sea cover. I need to be able to customize it around the overflow box.

ca1ore · Mar 27, 2018

Other than a rimless (where a cover totally ruins the aesthetic IMO), not using a cover of some kind is just foolish. I'm not a particularly big fan of the BRS netting, I just don't like the way it reflects light back into the room. I buy the frame kits from HD and bought a huge roll of black cicada netting that is much superior.

Greybeard · Mar 27, 2018

Artfully Acrylic and Octo... Both are excellent quality, much more optically transparent than the BRS screen... and EXPENSIVE!

I have an open top tank. Only thing I've lost in the last year has been a clown, of all things. I try and avoid 'known jumpers', wrasses, dartfish, that sort of thing, and I try and keep competition and aggressive behavior to a minimum through careful fish selection. I originally planned on one of those two makers, but I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. Two reasons... 1, I really like the open top look, and 2, $500? Really?

TheEngineer · Mar 27, 2018

Mine was around $140 shipped to my door.

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 27, 2018

I’ve had acrylic lids on my tank for a couple years. They get salt spray etc.

Nobody seems to mind.

I think Radion copied my salt spray method when they designed thier new diffusers. Mine cuts less light though.

Claus84 · Mar 27, 2018

I use old school cover glass but I only keep softies and they grow like crazy anyway. I personally wouldn't dare have a tank without a cover, given the right circumstances any fish can become a jumper and I'd be gutted if it happened to any of mine.

ihavecrabs · Mar 27, 2018

I went to Ace Hardware and had a few sheets of glass cut to cover my 156 gallon tank. Worked well so far.

I do leave some gaps for air exchange.

Greybeard · Mar 27, 2018

TheEngineer said:
Mine was around $140 shipped to my door.

You're keeping a 24x24" cube, right?

The price for my 60" x 30" system is a bit higher

TheEngineer · Mar 27, 2018

Greybeard said:
You're keeping a 24x24" cube, right?

The price for my 60" x 30" system is a bit higher

Yessiree

HB AL · Mar 27, 2018

I use the 3 pieces of glass that came with my Cadlights, could not imagine not having a cover on top, all types off fish will probably one day go surfing. Every time I hear a thump on the top ( almost daily )it reassures me it was a good idea and the fish thank me for it.

Eastlake · Mar 27, 2018

I've got the standard glass canopy that comes with the "all glass" aquarium brand. Sure I have to clean it every now and again but it has saved my fish countless times I'm sure and cuts down on evaporation and helps maintain heat better, the tank is in a part of the house without climate control. The corals don't really seem to notice much for a difference either as I get good growth out of pretty much everything. Not to mention, I worked at a local fish store for years and it always broke my heart whenever I found a fish that had jumped that I didn't find in time that could've been avoided with a simple tank covering of some sort.