open top tank?
 

just curious how many people run tanks with no lid.mine is completely closed on top with an open sump. i hear open top is good for more oxygen?? a friend even goes as far as running a air hose for his skimmer out side threw his window.

All my tanks are open top, but I'm tempted to cut glass tops for them to cut down on evaporation. The problem is that the glass will get dirty or speckled with salt spray and require more maintenance.

Anthony

I actually have a partially open top, though I shouldn't since I have a Purple Firefish (and they are known to be jumpers when stressed or scared). I like being able to see sort of from above, like a tidepool sort of.

I didnt vote, because i couldnt vote for both. i normally have glass tops, but in the summer i get rid of them for a few monthes to help with the heat.

I have mine open and yes the evaporation is crazy, but I think it is better in the long run

Both my SW tanks are open.

Had an open top, but after losing my mystery wrasse I now have tops.

However the tops do have hundreds of small holes :)

I have an enclosed canopy on my tank, no glass top though. I'm not really sure what that is classed as so I didn't vote. I've still had fish jump out of the tiniest of holes (firefish can be very determined) and inevitably they find the eurobracing as well. Mostly I think they just ricochet off various hood parts back into the tank if they're interested in jumping. Although I found my royal gramma in the overflow the other day and there was no way he fit in between the overflow teeth, he's a rather portly looking fish :razz:

There shouldn't be any options here. All reef aquariums need to be open top. You need to enable your tank to 'breathe'. By not allowing your tank to breathe, you enable the buildup of carbon dioxide in the water, making it more acid. This lowers your pH.. and hell breaks loose! :)

Now I know some people have sumps that are open top.. but that is not enough. The surface area of this is very small and will not do much in balancing your pH and oxygen levels.

I use a mesh top. Helps prevent any fish from jumping yet still allows the tank to breathe.