robjarvisphotography
Member
that is my question.
I pefer an open tank, advantages / dis-advantages, or just pure preference?
I pefer an open tank, advantages / dis-advantages, or just pure preference?
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Lid or no lid?
- Thread starter robjarvisphotography
- Start date
hotweldfire
Member
I would like an open one and some emersed growth but am terrified of my 2 year old daughter finding her favourite fish on the floor in the morning. Have heard too many horror stories of suicidal shrimp and fish.
Hi,
Open topped tanks have poorer CO2 and O2 retention than do closed lid tanks. This may or may not be a big deal. Open topped tanks also have higher evaporation rates which can be problematic if one spends a lot of time away from home. Higher heating energy is also a potential disadvantage, although the differences may be negligible, depending on where the tank sits. As stated above, jumping fish are less likely to survive an open tank.
Cheers,
Open topped tanks have poorer CO2 and O2 retention than do closed lid tanks. This may or may not be a big deal. Open topped tanks also have higher evaporation rates which can be problematic if one spends a lot of time away from home. Higher heating energy is also a potential disadvantage, although the differences may be negligible, depending on where the tank sits. As stated above, jumping fish are less likely to survive an open tank.
Cheers,
flygja
Member
hotweldfire said:
Just rescued a Yamato shrimp last night. My cat was staring at it. I've lost quite a few fish that way too, but the cat eats it. It doesn't eat the shrimp for some reason.
It does a look a lot nicer (to me) without a hood though.
Westyggx
Member
My next tank will be open top but only because its a pain in the back side doing water changes etc with my modded lids.
robjarvisphotography
Member
madlan
Member
I find I get almost no evaporation with the tight fitting lid on my Fluval Profile. I've also noticed much less Co2 dissipation with the lid on (meaning a few hours less injection required, saves a bit of gas in the long run). I’ve got a shoal of hatchet fish so open is not really an option for me!
hotweldfire
Member
I do love those new Eheims.
just started my first 'no lid' tank and sure it looks sweeeet 
but am amazed at how much evaporates every day. Its only a 13g but need to put around 1/2 a pint a day in to top up to the right level.
but am amazed at how much evaporates every day. Its only a 13g but need to put around 1/2 a pint a day in to top up to the right level.
clonitza
Member
I think your chosen fish and your cat decide whether it's "Lid or no lid"
IMHO I like them both and have them both, but I'm more willing to work on scaping in a no lid as I'm to lazy to lift it.
And yes, I do have hatchets too
Mike
IMHO I like them both and have them both, but I'm more willing to work on scaping in a no lid as I'm to lazy to lift it.
And yes, I do have hatchets too
Mike
Hi all,
I like a lid, although usually I just have a perspex sheet or glass sliders on bigger tanks, mainly because it lowers evaporation. If I had a fish house with space heating I'd probably go lidless, and just have a lower water level, this would allow me to grow emersed for things like Cyperus, some Crinums, Echinodorus etc.
I like the Orchid, is it an Oncidium? I used to have a Cambria about that colour, but I neglected it when the girl child was little and killed it off.
cheers Darrel
I like a lid, although usually I just have a perspex sheet or glass sliders on bigger tanks, mainly because it lowers evaporation. If I had a fish house with space heating I'd probably go lidless, and just have a lower water level, this would allow me to grow emersed for things like Cyperus, some Crinums, Echinodorus etc.
I like the Orchid, is it an Oncidium? I used to have a Cambria about that colour, but I neglected it when the girl child was little and killed it off.
cheers Darrel
robjarvisphotography
Member
Hi Darrel, It says "Orchidee" on the tag, stunning plant.
all the best,
Rob
all the best,
Rob
Open top adds a whole new perspective & dimension.
I guesse it depends on the tanks situation as to whether you would get the benefit of being able to easily view it form above.
My tank is open but I also have a surface overflow to my sump this means evaporation is very high as the whole tanks contents is exposed to air every 10 mins as it goes down the overflow!
I loose about 25lts a week but I also have an auto top up valve in the sump so the only issue is C02 loss - still not an issue for me.
I guesse it depends on the tanks situation as to whether you would get the benefit of being able to easily view it form above.
My tank is open but I also have a surface overflow to my sump this means evaporation is very high as the whole tanks contents is exposed to air every 10 mins as it goes down the overflow!
I loose about 25lts a week but I also have an auto top up valve in the sump so the only issue is C02 loss - still not an issue for me.
