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Post by charden on Feb 4, 2012 23:16:26 GMT -6
I am purchasing a canopy for my 125. My question is for any of you that use canopies do you still leave your glass tops on the tank or run it open?
I am going to also be getting a Deep Blue SolarXtreme 48" T5ho fixture to hang inside the canopy. This fixture will have 4 bulbs and I was thinking instead of the typical 10000k and actinics to swap them over to 2 Hagen Power Glo and 2 Hagen Life Glo bulbs. Would this be too much light for my Haps/Peacocks?
Lastly as most of you know I have a 3d background on the back of my 125. I am swapping that tank for a Reef/Ready Drilled tank with two corner overflows. I am thinking about not using the 3d background and just painting the back of the tank black. What would you do?
Thanks
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Post by davidtcb1 on Feb 4, 2012 23:26:41 GMT -6
Good discussion...
If it were my tank, I'd still leave the glass tops on. The wooden canopy will last longer (less rot over time, etc.) Plus, you still have to think about jumpers, water evaporation, etc. that would all be minimized with the glass tops on. The canopies that have piano hinges or doors on the front are great - prevents you from having to lift the canopy off every time you need to do something inside.
It might just be trial and error with the bulbs. Since the lights will be raised off the tank, you might be ok, and then perhaps just lessen the hours per day you have the lights on. I don't think the fish are going to care either way. You, on the other hand, might not like scraping that much algae! Just have to experiment. Could always start out with one of each, then get two more if not enough light for your taste.
Your call on the background. You'll obviously get more water volume without the 3d which means the potential of more fish, but they are cool too.
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Post by glenoweth on Feb 4, 2012 23:28:00 GMT -6
i would leave them on. fish like to jump out ! lol
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Post by jon carman on Feb 5, 2012 9:06:08 GMT -6
I would leave them on to keep water from evaporating. But with one tank it isnt that big of a deal. You might have to top off more often. Might also get extra condensation on windows. Keep the glass and if you see any issues just put them back on.
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Post by AlanM on Feb 5, 2012 9:20:56 GMT -6
I run my 125 with a canopy and glass tops. That's a lot of exposed surface to open up for evaporation. Mine loses almost no water to evaporation, not enough to ever need topped-off between water changes. All of my tanks with any holes on top big enough for hang-on filters lose water (70 gal. 30 gal, 10 gal.). The two with no holes (125 gal., 30 gal #2) don't lose any.
Your 3D background is pretty and not that thick. It'd be a cool keeper.
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Post by mruble on Feb 5, 2012 10:29:09 GMT -6
Glass canopies will also keep any water paritcles from getting into your light fixture.
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Post by charden on Feb 5, 2012 12:28:18 GMT -6
Ok so I had an idea and maybe you can tell me if it will work. The glass tops I have are hinged. What if I removed the hinge and just used the back piece? I figured it would be easier doing feedings and water changes without having to remove the canopy and not having to lift the canopy and the tops. I am not really concerned with evaporation due to the fact I run a sump and the water level never goes below the overflow. The only issue I see with that is if a jumper jumps out and lands on top of the glass.
In regards to the lights they have a built in timer and most fixtures like this are for saltwater. Therefore in theory it has the actinics come on and then the 10000k come on 30 minutes later. I am not looking for too much blue but maybe 1 actinic would bring out some of the blues in my fish. I wonder if it would be ok front to back like this: Life Glo 6700k-420 Actinic-Life Glo 6700k-Power Glo 18000k. The Actinic and the power glo would almost simulate going from dusk to dawn. I could always play with the bulb combos.
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Post by glenoweth on Feb 5, 2012 13:03:46 GMT -6
Ok so I had an idea and maybe you can tell me if it will work. The glass tops I have are hinged. What if I removed the hinge and just used the back piece? I figured it would be easier doing feedings and water changes without having to remove the canopy and not having to lift the canopy and the tops. I am not really concerned with evaporation due to the fact I run a sump and the water level never goes below the overflow. The only issue I see with that is if a jumper jumps out and lands on top of the glass. In regards to the lights they have a built in timer and most fixtures like this are for saltwater. Therefore in theory it has the actinics come on and then the 10000k come on 30 minutes later. I am not looking for too much blue but maybe 1 actinic would bring out some of the blues in my fish. I wonder if it would be ok front to back like this: Life Glo 6700k-420 Actinic-Life Glo 6700k-Power Glo 18000k. The Actinic and the power glo would almost simulate going from dusk to dawn. I could always play with the bulb combos. Yeah that is what i would do just take half the sections off. |
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Post by davidtcb1 on Feb 5, 2012 13:05:06 GMT -6
Any glass that covers the tank will help IMO. Like Mark said, for the safety and longevity of your light and for jumpers. The sump, like you say, will help with keeping the tank topped off.
I'd just play around with the bulbs til you find what you like.
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Post by AlanM on Feb 5, 2012 13:23:47 GMT -6
Ok so I had an idea and maybe you can tell me if it will work. The glass tops I have are hinged. What if I removed the hinge and just used the back piece? I figured it would be easier doing feedings and water changes without having to remove the canopy and not having to lift the canopy and the tops. I am not really concerned with evaporation due to the fact I run a sump and the water level never goes below the overflow. The only issue I see with that is if a jumper jumps out and lands on top of the glass. In regards to the lights they have a built in timer and most fixtures like this are for saltwater. Therefore in theory it has the actinics come on and then the 10000k come on 30 minutes later. I am not looking for too much blue but maybe 1 actinic would bring out some of the blues in my fish. I wonder if it would be ok front to back like this: Life Glo 6700k-420 Actinic-Life Glo 6700k-Power Glo 18000k. The Actinic and the power glo would almost simulate going from dusk to dawn. I could always play with the bulb combos. You don't have to remove the canopy to feed, etc. The top of the canopy is open. |
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Post by charden on Feb 5, 2012 13:44:58 GMT -6
Ok so I had an idea and maybe you can tell me if it will work. The glass tops I have are hinged. What if I removed the hinge and just used the back piece? I figured it would be easier doing feedings and water changes without having to remove the canopy and not having to lift the canopy and the tops. I am not really concerned with evaporation due to the fact I run a sump and the water level never goes below the overflow. The only issue I see with that is if a jumper jumps out and lands on top of the glass. In regards to the lights they have a built in timer and most fixtures like this are for saltwater. Therefore in theory it has the actinics come on and then the 10000k come on 30 minutes later. I am not looking for too much blue but maybe 1 actinic would bring out some of the blues in my fish. I wonder if it would be ok front to back like this: Life Glo 6700k-420 Actinic-Life Glo 6700k-Power Glo 18000k. The Actinic and the power glo would almost simulate going from dusk to dawn. I could always play with the bulb combos. You don't have to remove the canopy to feed, etc. The top of the canopy is open. Oh I know. I am just not sure if I can open the top of the canopy and then open the glass tops. If it will be enough room? |
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Post by charden on Feb 5, 2012 13:47:43 GMT -6
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Post by davidtcb1 on Feb 5, 2012 13:51:03 GMT -6
You should have room for a hinged glass top to open with that type canopy (depending on how low your light hangs if you are mounting it to the inside of the canopy). I might consider keeping the light on top of the tank/tops. If you mount it inside the canopy, taking the canopy off for extended maintenance becomes a much bigger pain. |
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Post by charden on Feb 5, 2012 13:55:20 GMT -6
You should have room for a hinged glass top to open with that type canopy (depending on how low your light hangs if you are mounting it to the inside of the canopy). I might consider keeping the light on top of the tank/tops. If you mount it inside the canopy, taking the canopy off for extended maintenance becomes a much bigger pain. That is an interesting point. I may have to do that. I need to get the canopy before the light to see if that is even feasible. |
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Post by davidtcb1 on Feb 5, 2012 14:00:52 GMT -6
Most of the reef type lights have legs that keep the light raised up off the tank/tops anyway.
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