What's with the trend for 'Open' tanks?

[PheonixKingZ]

Right after coffee, this makes one reassess the meaning of life...

Oops, er… well this is awkward….

What I MEANT to say, is “should I have lids”. Autocorrect must hate me or something.

 

[PADogman]

To tell the truth I thought you were going for some deeper meaning, too

 

[PheonixKingZ]

To tell the truth I thought you were going for some deeper meaning, too

Lol, NO.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Oops, er… well this is awkward….

What I MEANT to say, is “should I have lids”. Autocorrect must hate me or something.

Freudian slip?

 

[Spyro]

With air conditioning (or heating in the winter), I don't think this would be a significant concern...both heating and cooling remove airborne condensation.

I realize not everyone has both, however....

It shouldn't even be of that much concern to anyone. It's just, well silly.

Having bunch of tanks in dark, unventilated room might cause some mold on paint, etc. But you need something like shower leak over prolonged period to cause structural damage.
Tanks evaporating won't even come close to humidity levels in tropical/subtropical region which is close to steamy bathroom on any given day of the year. It takes decades even in those conditions to get structural degradation.

 

[Kolykaf]

From my experience of aquariums in the late 60s, the 70s and 80s, tank lids were always, ALWAYS, considered to be essential, especially for tropical tanks.
Not only did the lid hold the lighting, be it bulbs or fluorescent tubes, but it helped reduce evaporation, minimised fish loss through jumping and, perhaps most importantly, it stopped dust and household airborne contaminants reaching the water surface.

Today, I see this popular trend for open tanks and, whilst I can appreciate the aesthetics of such a tank, I'm wondering about jumping fish and those aforementioned 'airborne contaminants'?
The increased emphasis on plants is, as far as I'm concerned, a Good Thing and I do like those tanks with the plants growing up and out of the water.
I can also appreciate the nice lighting now available and the ability to get that 'different' view of the tank from above...although I suspect that might freak the fish out somewhat, as a potential predator suddenly appears above, casting its predatory shadow.
Another factor with the light would be an actual reduction in the control of the light spectrum entering the tank. With a lid and modern lighting, the majority of the lighting can be controlled, with ambient lighting only entering from the sides left clear. Without a lid, ambient lighting enters from all five sides.
I can also appreciate the visual impact of a clear glass box, with colourful movement inside it, with visible frames and equipment kept to a visual minimum, although, again, I question the effect of such an open arrangement on the well-being of the fish.

Do those of you who have such tanks use a glass cover and, if not, how do you stop your fish jumping ship, minimise evaporation and stop airborne contaminants?

I don’t see a need for lids on my tanks. I think that they look better without. I’ve not had a problem with fish jumping out. I don’t use harsh chemicals for cleaning anywhere near them. I’m sure that I have to top off more frequently but my houseplants appreciate the extra humidity.

 

[jimwg]

I have to have lids on my tanks. I used to have a tank with half of the top covered and cat hair kept getting into the water plus I really want to have a barrier between the water and the lights.

 

[Essjay]

My main tank has cover glasses AND a lid That's the way it was made.

 

[ClownLurch]

We’ve got a cat so thats an extra reason not to have an open tank.
At the moment we believe he thinks the tanks are TVs so ignores them completely. This belief is brought about by him attacking the tv on seeing his first onscreen bird and being subsequently mocked by all in the room at the time including his sister.
We also played hours of aquarium YouTube footage on the tv prior to getting my first tank for decades last year to help embed the notion.
Hes mrs lurch’s sixth cat and by far the least intelligent which also makes him the most entertaining.
So no open tanks in this house.

 

[PADogman]

My cat loved my aquarium lid with the high intensity bulbs.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I have three cats and all like to know "what's up there?" Whilst two are as agile as gymnastic ballet dancers, one isn't and has a habit of falling off things.
All three, however, are happy to sit and watch Fishy TV, with the occasional tap of the paw and much chattering.
All obvious reasons why a lid on my tank is a good idea, apart from holding the lights and managing evaporation and potential airborne contaminants.
None of my current fish are jumpers, but I'm a firm believer in the "There's Always One" Rule.

Whilst ambient light does enter the tank from three sides, (obviously), having the lights in a lid allows me to exploit my LED's available spectrums to the full.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

My main tank has cover glasses AND a lid That's the way it was made.

Good point.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

My cat loved my aquarium lid with the high intensity bulbs.

View attachment 140804

Saltwater tank?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

We’ve got a cat so thats an extra reason not to have an open tank.
At the moment we believe he thinks the tanks are TVs so ignores them completely. This belief is brought about by him attacking the tv on seeing his first onscreen bird and being subsequently mocked by all in the room at the time including his sister.
We also played hours of aquarium YouTube footage on the tv prior to getting my first tank for decades last year to help embed the notion.
Hes mrs lurch’s sixth cat and by far the least intelligent which also makes him the most entertaining.
So no open tanks in this house.

I have cats as well, but they aren’t smart enough to get up there.

 

[PADogman]

Saltwater tank?

Yes. I was just turning it from SW to a reef, which is why I increased my lights.
I've been looking for pics of the aquarium, but I didn't name or sort anything in folders back then.