Glass top and metal screen for Rimless tank

[Basile]

Hi guys my starfire tanks ar being process as we speek and will be ready in 8 weeks. I have the option to have a custom made metal screen for the top if i ever get jumpers, and a glass top if i want to control my evaporation.


Fairely expensive, so i was wondering if anybody else with rimless tanks had those made and if they've evre used them ?

Should i go for it?

[Aquattro]

I suspect metal and salt water won't mix well long term

[Basile]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I suspect metal and salt water won't mix well long term

Well they make them for tank i suspect they have some coating againts salt but i'll check thanks for the input.

[reefwars]

Use a plastic mesh and frame and recess the cover into the tank so the tank still looks rimless from away

[Basile]

Originally Posted by reefwars

Use a plastic mesh and frame and recess the cover into the tank so the tank still looks rimless from away

You have a picture because i can't picture the recess frame in a rimless tank, please elaborate. Thanks where did you get yours plastic frame , the store, thanks.

[mike31154]

Any type of cover, glass, mesh will cut down on the amount of light getting to your livestock. So depending on what your long term plan is, you may want to rethink having a top made now. "if I ever get jumpers" to me is not a convincing argument to start off with a cover on the tank right away. It is a tradeoff, risk losing a fish to carpet surfing or spend more money on a cover and more powerful lights that are going to be costlier to run long term.

My tank has been running without a cover for close to 7 years & I've lost one Lawnmower Blenny to the floor. Sad, but insufficient for me to justify covering the tank & dealing with one more item that will need regular attention. Evaporation is not a deal breaker for me either, I have my top off system & evaporate about a gallon a day. It's dry here in the Okanagan during summer, so I look at my tank evap as a free humidifier. I know from experience the humidity is higher in the National Capital Region, so I guess you'll have to weigh the options in that regard.

Plastic mesh is available at most any hardware store or sometimes at the garden center, sold as bird netting to keep them off your grapes & fruit trees. Once you have the netting, it's not that difficult to diy a frame for it. You could even use plastic bug screen, but that's very close mesh & will really cut down on your lighting efficiency.