[gerry45]

hi, just started a 75 gallon reef,have a 48" lunar aqualight on legs.

would it be better to have tank open or leave glass top on?

thinking I may get better light without top.

what about jumping fish?

[charlie]

You will get better air exchange and light without the top. How high is the lite above the water?
As for jumping fish, I don't know what you have. If it was me, I have always taken my chances. I suppose you could use some eggcrate, just make sure you also keep the salt creep off of it.

[gerry45]

the light is about 6 inches above the tank top.

have read that I will get salt on the light without top.

would this happen with light so far up? I have a canister filter,not one that splashes water.

[Reefland]

Hi gerry45,


You will get some salt slash on your lights and should include cleaning them in your maintenance routine. Dirty lamps will reduce the total light output. As for jumping fish, it really depends on the type of fish you have. Wrasses for instance are jumpers and should be protected.

[CSeaSee]

Jumping fish are certainly a concern, and if you own a cat, that's a big concern as well. If you throw large parties, and are worried about a bottle of Bud Light getting dumped in there by an overserved guest, that's another worry. I don't have tops on either of my tanks, and I've always enjoyed the benefits. I've never had anything jump out, but then again, I've never owned any large wrasses. Most of my fish have been through a couple of years with me, and are pretty calm.
Salt splash will actually be less, if your lights aren't laying directly on the tank, because the water will have to travel that much higher to reach the glass, compared with a closed glass top, which is closer to the water line. A closed top will require more cleaning, because the salt will accumulate faster and reduce your lighting quality faster.

[jasutton]

Hey Cseasea, i live by you in the burbs...recently moved here, Oakpark. Any good fish stores around here?

[blue_eyes53813]

Is there any possiblity of hanging the lights? Ive never used glass and never had fish jump.

[Reefland]

Sure there is. Lots of fixtures are available as hanging models and they have nice steel cables to accomplish this.

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

Is there any possiblity of hanging the lights? Ive never used glass and never had fish jump.

Oops, I realize you were just asking the thread starter if they could hang thier lights.