Wooden, Glass, or Open Canopy?

tutmatt3 · Jan 10, 2017

Hey Guys,

So I just ordered https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFTSV24/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#Ask for my tank,

And it (most likely) looks like I'll be needing a new canopy system.

So far my options are:
1) Glass canopy (rest lights on top ,no splash on them)
2) DIY wooden canopy (can rest lights on tank, or hang from canopy so less splash)
3) Open top (splash splash splash)

My preference would be everything hidden inside a wooden canopy, but any recommendations?
I hear having one is better than open, since evaporation

But then temperature could become a factor?

Right now I have the standard plastic hood that came w/ it ( http://www.petsmart.com/fish/suppli...n-55-gallon-aquarium-starter-kit-5003267.html )
Hopefully I might be able to make this work by cutting a few sections out & saving a bit of $$ & time, but love to hear your guys preferences & reasoning!

Cheers!

Joeganja · Jan 10, 2017

Why not just get a canopy, hang or mount the lights, put a glass top or have the lights sit on the glass top, or use a screen.

mcarroll · Jan 10, 2017

I like either an open top or similar.

However, keeping fish from carpet surfing is usually one of the top priorities. (I don't keep many fish and the ones I keep aren't jumpers.....rare.)

So, glass panels can be nice, but they tend to require a lot of hands-on time to keep them clean.

TRPlacek · Jan 10, 2017

I do like the glass tops for less precipitation but that is about it. Keeping them clean is a huge hassle Imo. I went to screen top on one tank and love it and the screen is hidden by a wooden canopy. My other tank is a rimless and keep the glass top only because it looks better.

tutmatt3 · Jan 10, 2017

Sounds great guys. I'm beginning to lean on a wooden canopy.

When found diy, is there anything I need to treat it with regarding water/moisture?

Probably keep it simple, some 1x2s and thin ply

Bassett22 · Jan 10, 2017

I find when you dont have a canopy, and you sit down or lower your head to look at the tank, then you get an eye ful of the bright light, and it hurts my eyes. it also seems to wash out into the room much worse. If those things dont bother you, then a clean tank with just a fixture above looks amazing.

tutmatt3 · Jan 10, 2017

Bassett22 said:
I find when you dont have a canopy, and you sit down or lower your head to look at the tank, then you get an eye ful of the bright light, and it hurts my eyes. it also seems to wash out into the room much worse. If those things dont bother you, then a clean tank with just a fixture above looks amazing.

I think I personally appreciate a canopy.
1) My stand is 30", and tank 20", so I am MUCH taller than it. And because I have 2x filters & a skimmer sitting on top, it's not the most beautiful sight
2) If evaporation might become an issue later, I would prefer coverage
3) Less splash to clean up

Oh and 4) hopefully prevent any jumpers from a kamikaze mission!