[Hebert2580]

I know there stuff I can buy.. But Is there something I could make?

[Reefland]

Hi Herbert,

Not too sure what you are asking. If you are using glass tops, I would recommend removing them which would help with heat and gas exchange.

If your talking about the panels of the outside of the aquarium itself, I like to spray a small amount of glass cleaner on paper towels and clean the glass.

If your talking about the inside glass panels, there are magnets available that make this task a breeze.

[Poseidon]

Vinegar works wonders! If you are trying to clean an empty tank of coralline algae that is. As for the glass tops and outside of the tank, ^^^ What he said!!!

[scooterman]

Agreed, IF you have a glass top covering your tank top, your preventing gas exchange or slowing it down, this isn't healthy for your tank in the long run.

[Samper]

Also the glass tops do reduce the light that reaches the display...it might not be a whole lot but with a lux meter the numbers are slightly lower with glass tops. I want to reap the maximum benefit out of the light that I'm paying for. Gas exchange is a must and your lighting is also extremely important. Your system will be healthier without the tops.

[JR719]

Originally Posted by Samper

Also the glass tops do reduce the light that reaches the display...it might not be a whole lot but with a lux meter the numbers are slightly lower with glass tops. I want to reap the maximum benefit out of the light that I'm paying for. Gas exchange is a must and your lighting is also extremely important. Your system will be healthier without the tops.

Yep, +1. I would suggest loosing the glass tops unless they are absolutely needed. Not just for the light, but the heat buildup inside the tank and allowing oxygen into the water. If you have a fish only tank and not worried about light transmission, use vinigar and a razor blade. Do NOT use a scotch brite or any pad on the first few passes. The salt creep and impurities will scratch the glass. This will lower the light transmission and just ugly up your tank.

If your wanting to scrape the vertical panes.... Just go get a good scraper at the LFS or a magnetic scraper.

[Smalls]

I've got glass tops, and didn't realize they were bad. What are the alternatives?

[Samper]

There should be no alternatives except a well ventilated hood or open top.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Smalls

I've got glass tops, and didn't realize they were bad. What are the alternatives?

If you have concerns about jumping fish I would consider using eggcrate(those are used as defusers in some fluorescent fixtures and could be purchased at HD) to cover the tank. Light loss will be there but not enough to be a concern if you don't keep so-called SPS corals or clams. Ever then, I've seen it used on such aquariums without any problems. Other than that, I agree with everyone that glass tops are not very good to use in a reef aquarium.

[Hebert2580]

I do have glass tops, But I have a 4in of open space in back, so heat can escape, also my lights sit right on the glass, so Im not really loosing much light..

[Samper]

You're still holding heat in and blocking some light. Is there a particular reason your so set on keeping them?

[SKRIZ]

The answer to your question is YES. Clean the glass top.

BUT, only do it when it is cold (before the lights turn on). You wont need to use any chemicals. Just rinse it under warm water and dry it before putting it back on the tank. If there is any salt creep in the fixture, this would be the time to clean that also.

Seems like you are keeping the glass top because it came with the tank and it holds the light in place, right?