open-top reef tanks

I wanted to get your thoughts on open-top tanks...

I have a 30 gallon acrylic that I'm thinking about setting up as a
reef tank. When I say "open-top", I mean that there is very little
horizontal acrylic on the top of the tank. (There's only a "brace" in
the center.) My tank was made for a certain hood w/ integrated light
& filter that fits on top. (Imagine the top of Frankenstein's head
sitting on top pf a beautiful woman's face and body...)

The only concerns that I can think of would be excess evaporation and
the possibility of salt deposits on the "rim" of the tank. But on the
plus sude, there would be no acrylic between the lighting and the
water's surface.

Do any of you have preferences one way or the other? Does anyone have
a nice open-top reef tank like the one I'm thinking of?

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated.

Muchos Gracias,
Juan

Just be sure to have an automated top-off system..
I have an open top 20 Gallon reef with a 15 gallon refugium. I go through a
gallon every two days for top off...

Of course evap depends on MANY factors...

I find salt creep less of a problem now. I ran closed top for years because
I had an eel. That was a constant mess.
Also consider that you will need to be very careful about using aerosols and
other airborne products. My tank sits near the AC return for the apartment.
I am afraid of using any aerosols when the AC is running..

"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
I wanted to get your thoughts on open-top tanks...

I have a 30 gallon acrylic that I'm thinking about setting up as a
reef tank. When I say "open-top", I mean that there is very little
horizontal acrylic on the top of the tank. (There's only a "brace" in
the center.) My tank was made for a certain hood w/ integrated light
& filter that fits on top. (Imagine the top of Frankenstein's head
sitting on top pf a beautiful woman's face and body...)

The only concerns that I can think of would be excess evaporation and
the possibility of salt deposits on the "rim" of the tank. But on the
plus sude, there would be no acrylic between the lighting and the
water's surface.

Do any of you have preferences one way or the other? Does anyone have
a nice open-top reef tank like the one I'm thinking of?

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated.

Muchos Gracias,
Juan

I would guess that 90% of reef tanks these days are open top.. open top
provides for better gas exchange, more ligt penetration , easier to cool.. I
cant think of a reason to cover a tank except for maybe the posibility of
jumping fish.

"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...

Do any of you have preferences one way or the other? Does anyone have
a nice open-top reef tank like the one I'm thinking of?



I can't keep my temperatures down without an open top and the attendant fan
blowing across the surface.
Lot's of topping off.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/reef.htm

I havent run the acrylic top on my 50G since I set it up in 2001 and before
that ran my 20G open top for years. I top off about twice a week with a
reserve supply of filtered water I keep in two gallon containers under the
tank for a minimum of effort.

I suspect most people do it this way, not in the least because the acrylic
top tends to get really cloudy after a very short period of time interfering
with light transfer and keeping too much heat in.

Once in a great while I have a jumper, usually something thin and quick like
a cleaner wrasse or Royal Gramma.

D

"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
I wanted to get your thoughts on open-top tanks...

I have a 30 gallon acrylic that I'm thinking about setting up as a
reef tank. When I say "open-top", I mean that there is very little
horizontal acrylic on the top of the tank. (There's only a "brace" in
the center.) My tank was made for a certain hood w/ integrated light
& filter that fits on top. (Imagine the top of Frankenstein's head
sitting on top pf a beautiful woman's face and body...)

The only concerns that I can think of would be excess evaporation and
the possibility of salt deposits on the "rim" of the tank. But on the
plus sude, there would be no acrylic between the lighting and the
water's surface.

Do any of you have preferences one way or the other? Does anyone have
a nice open-top reef tank like the one I'm thinking of?

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated.

Muchos Gracias,
Juan

Huh... well it sounds like I'm in luck.

The only problem is that I was going to (gulp) attempt to run this
tank with a hang-on skimmer and no sump. So it sounds like I'll have
to be particularly vigilant with respect to topping off.

Thanks everyone.
Juan