open top tank?

[FaRico]

I have an open top on mine, but have found my dogs running around with 4 different clownfish in their mouth from jumpers hitting the floor within the past 6 weeks. Thinking of going to closed top.

[whiteangelbw]

Originally Posted by Atomikk

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.

Ok, then why do all the all in one tanks have covers and I haven't heard anything bad about these (re: being covered). I am new to reefing and am thinking about covering mine, so I am just wondering.

[intarsiabox]

I had egg crate on top of my 20g and didn't like how the tank looked with it on under the metal halide, the tank is noticable brighter with it off and it didn't have a checker board reflection. A couple of months ago I put a glass lid that covers about 80% of the top just some room at the back for my HOB skimmer and filter. I have observed no difference in coral growth or colors and much less evaporation. I am also running T5HO's now to prevent over heating. I do have to clean the glass every week however to prevent build-up on the glass. So I think it is more of a maintenance issue and fish protection but a top could also trap heat if using MH IMO as evaporation is a major tank cooling factor.