75g Hood?

[mlovelace]

Hello, I am curious do most of you have hoods on your tanks or not? The tank I purchased has a canopy on top (looks great) and the lights sit on top of the canopy and shine down. I was curious if it would be beneficial to purchase or make a hood that would fit down into the openings of the top? This would help maybe keep some of the dust and air particles from getting into the tank. It also may help with some of the evaporation? I know evaporation is good, but I am concerned with the dust/hair that could float into the tank. I have a couple of dogs that no matter how much we keep them brushed and the house vacuumed, it seems the hair floats everywhere. I like the tank the way it is, but just brainstorming for something that may work better? I figure a saltwater will be a nighmare trying to keep the hood clean of saltwater as well? What does everyone think?

Thank you, Mike

[ToddTT]

Got a picture of your setup?

Air is good, hair not as good. ;)

If you add a glass canopy it may reduce the intensity of your lighting, reduce air exchange, and contribute to higher temps. Or, it may not really impact those much at all. Hard to say without knowing more about your setup.

Would egg crate reduce the amount of hair sneaking in? These are long haired breeds I'm assuming?

Dust shouldn't be much of a concern... if you have adequate filtering and flow. This tank isn't in the middle of a wood shop or anything, is it?

[mlovelace]

Got a picture of your setup?

Air is good, hair not as good. ;)

If you add a glass canopy it may reduce the intensity of your lighting, reduce air exchange, and contribute to higher temps. Or, it may not really impact those much at all. Hard to say without knowing more about your setup.

Would egg crate reduce the amount of hair sneaking in? These are long haired breeds I'm assuming?

Dust shouldn't be much of a concern... if you have adequate filtering and flow. This tank isn't in the middle of a wood shop or anything, is it?

No......no workshop here

I was reading post where folks were talking about the "stuff" in the air that seems to make its way to their tank. I noticed a couple of dog hairs making their way to the tank and it had me thinking about the canopy and lack of hood. I am thinking it would really reduce the lighting as well, due to the salt buildup on the hood and the light not being able to shine down completely. I would probably have to clean it two or three times a week. I am adding easily ten gallons of RO/DI water per week, which I thought was a little high. My water temperature stays around 78.6 degrees, it may climb as high as 79 and as low as 78.

I may be able to just cut out with a jigsaw plexiglass that would fit over the openings of the tank. I am still thinking this would alter the light coming in?

Thank you, Mike

[cdearing]

I have an 80 gallon open top tank. I also have a dog and cat who shed. I find an occassional hair in the tank but am not worried about it. They usually float around and get sucked into my overflow. I wouldn't cover my tank because of it. I think it would be better to have a few hairs in the tank than to cut down on the lighting, have possible heat issues and not as good oxygen exchange. Maybe you could get a "furminator". It's a really great pet comb that they sell at Petco that helps with a pet's shedding.

[ToddTT]

Before I cut plexi, I would splurge for the real deal. Available all over the place for about $40:

Aquarium Hoods & Canopies: All-Glass Versa-Tops

This will be versatile too, you can flip part of it open, remove the narrow plastic flap at the back, etc.

And if it turns out to have negative effects, $40 lost isn't bad. And you could probably reuse it on a QT or something (although you might need to bust out a glass cutter to resize it).

[ToddTT]

Or attack the hair problem at the source:

U-Haul moving supplies: 20" Mover's Stretch Plastic Wrap

[mlovelace]

Before I cut plexi, I would splurge for the real deal. Available all over the place for about $40:

Aquarium Hoods & Canopies: All-Glass Versa-Tops

This will be versatile too, you can flip part of it open, remove the narrow plastic flap at the back, etc.

And if it turns out to have negative effects, $40 lost isn't bad. And you could probably reuse it on a QT or something (although you might need to bust out a glass cutter to resize it).

Does anyone have this in addition to their canopy and lights sitting on top of the canopy? I am curious about the fluctuation of temperature and evaporation, good and bad. It would cut down on the hair going in along with other household products floating around we don't realize! It may actually help the electric bill with the lack of the heater coming on as much? I am sure it will require a ton of cleaning though on a weekly basis!

[Chasman]

I tried an all glass versa-top. It does keep evaporation down and from dust and stuff getting in but it is a cleaning nightmare. Almost a daily task as it really cuts down on the amount of light you get. Plus I didn't think it was good for the air exchange. It's now a basement trophy.

I use a small canister filter to run carbon only in and I use a gizmo (not sure what to call it) that skims the surface water into the canister. With that thing I have no dust, film, or any thing else on the surface water. It all goes through the canister. I change out the carbon and rinse the filter out monthly. Even after a month it's not very dirty.

Chasman