Vote:Open Tank or Tank with Cover

**DRQ** · 3rd Jun 2005, 17:03

since we're on this, just wondering what you guys all think about those Slim Wall Hanging Tanks that looks like Plasma TVs.
i think it looks really nice but is it recommended?

**wynx** · 3rd Jun 2005, 17:05

Open tank = Cooler Tank?

more scaping options...??

**baranne** · 3rd Jun 2005, 17:07

Originally Posted by DRQ

since we're on this, just wondering what you guys all think about those Slim Wall Hanging Tanks that looks like Plasma TVs.
i think it looks really nice but is it recommended?

It probably not good for the fishes as it does not allow them to swim naturally. Being slim they can only swim 2-direction.

**StanChung** · 3rd Jun 2005, 18:42

i like semi closed tank because after awhile the lights look salt covered. [unsightly]
worst of all the glare of lighting hurts the eyes preventing prolonged enjoyment. my tv gets less viewing time!

i do question the few who use chillers to the extreme [24 celcius]. the whole pane gets fogged up. how to enjoy ah?

the compromise is the edge of aq has a skirting and the lighting is shaded from view.

so it's semi open my pref. with some mods.

**|squee|** · 3rd Jun 2005, 19:12

An open tank for me, although I haven't gotten one yet. My dream is a 4ft open top with metal halides and a chiller. Woot!

Somehow the open top tanks look bigger ( a la Amano, with their sleek equipment and clean glass ) and it gives a modern futuristic touch as well. No braces of course.

**shihyong** · 4th Jun 2005, 08:46

easier maintenance, less heat. Open tank for me

**robin** · 4th Jun 2005, 16:16

Fishgoole, I am using a covered tank (Juwell rekord 120) and it is planted, with CO2 injection, internal filter and modified lights.

So far so good, prevents the jumpers from jumping out.

To manage the heat problem, I use 2 fans to draw the heat out from the 2 feeding panels. The feeding panels are never closed.

Regards
Robin

**StanChung** · 6th Jun 2005, 01:33

Originally Posted by benny

Somehow I prefer a covered tank. Like those European concepts.

Cheers,

on a totally unrelated topic, i really like the fish you use as your avatar. what is this fish called? nice or nsty demeanor? max size? i have seen them in planted tanks. they look really striking. bored with cardinals already...

**Rupert** · 6th Jun 2005, 09:09

Open versus Closed {hood} varies depending on the use & owner preferences. I prefer open, but at present cannot suspend my MH’s from the ceiling. My wife wants a hood.

If you want open then braceless is the way to go, the clean lines are preferable, but more expensive. If you are not sure then get a tank with a hood as it can be removed later on. The hood can be open or covered

If you want a tank now but possibly a vivarium later on then tank height is a consideration.

**stcyrwm** · 7th Jun 2005, 07:48

I like the idea of the open tank but how are you lighting them? Is there a good way to do flourescents or do you have to do metal halides?

Thanks, Bill

**Rupert** · 7th Jun 2005, 08:15

Originally Posted by stcyrwm

I like the idea of the open tank but how are you lighting them? Is there a good way to do flourescents or do you have to do metal halides?

Thanks, Bill

Hello Bill,

Open means that the lights [MH or FL] need to be suspended or if the lights come with legs they can be used. Legs can be attractive or big bulky things that came with my Dymax MH's.

Open is just a design consideration depending on your preference and budgetary implications and what you may do in the future.

MH vs FL is part of High Maintenance vs Low Maintenance decision path that preferably needs to be understood before embarking on the planted journey

**vinz** · 7th Jun 2005, 10:19

Bill,

One of the advantages of an open top tank is that big plants can grow out of the water... like the bigger Echinodoruses. You can also let wood stick out of the water and decorate them with emmersed plants. In such cases, the lights need to be higher and suspension is the best way to do that. Even better if the height is adjustable.

**yokogi** · 7th Jun 2005, 12:41

I voted COVERED TANK. Not really a choice as it came as a set and didn't wanna spend extra at the moment.

Covered tank is quitea problem when it comes to water temperature. My chiller have to work extra hard for that 1deg difference. Besides, the tank hood blocked cool air from the fans which was installed at the back.

My setup is not very energy efficient.

**StanChung** · 7th Jun 2005, 15:52

for open and closed tanks, imho lighting is the most important consideration after you've decided size, location, inhabitants,

being an experienced amateur, [5 years] i have discovered recently fl [flourescent] lights from dennerle trocal and amano that exclude algae growing light spectrum. this stunts algae growth. a boon for all of us that are algae allergic.

i prefer the amano ones [~same price as dennerle] as they are whiter.
dennerle trocal has yellow tinge that makes my plants, altums and white face red golden diamonds jaundiced. [dennerle suppliers take note]

imho its a bit like kodak vs fuji films. kodak has yellow tinge to give sallow skin caucasions artificial tan. while fuji has slight pink to make give asians a more balanced skin tone.

my conclusion is asian makers tend to cater more accurately for asian market.
if only mr amano can give southeast asian prices. [we live in hope] outsourcing...

pl lights while brighter[initially] may not have the special algae spectrum minus attributes, hence algae problems galore. am i wrong?
imho this has led to friends of this wonderful hobby starving their fish[bad karma for you guys in the afterlife] and limiting lighting hours

i'm advising my friends to get rid of pl lights till they make special bulbs for their pl light housing.

as i have no experience with metal halides, is this the same case? do they have special bulbs that exclude algae spectrum?

please feel free to comment...

stan
ps, you need closed tank AND barbed wire if you have naughty kids who like to rearrange your tank [i was one]

**StanChung** · 7th Jun 2005, 15:54

Originally Posted by Rupert

Open versus Closed {hood} varies depending on the use & owner preferences. I prefer open, but at present cannot suspend my MH’s from the ceiling. My wife wants a hood.

If you want open then braceless is the way to go, the clean lines are preferable, but more expensive. If you are not sure then get a tank with a hood as it can be removed later on. The hood can be open or covered

If you want a tank now but possibly a vivarium later on then tank height is a consideration.

hi rupert, just wondering how you can upload such large pix?

**|squee|** · 7th Jun 2005, 19:15

It seems that open tanks almost always use metal halide lamps? There aren't any PL and FL hanging light sets as far as I know.

standoyo, I saw plant-specific metal halide light bulbs at the recent Aquarama in Singapore. No idea if they're any good though. BTW, try not to quote in such a way that it is excessive in length. I edited your post to remove the pictures that were taking up too much space.

Big pictures can be uploaded here:
http://www.photobucket.com
http://www.imageshack.us

**StanChung** · 7th Jun 2005, 19:29

Originally Posted by |squee|

It seems that open tanks almost always use metal halide lamps? There aren't any PL and FL hanging light sets as far as I know.

standoyo, I saw plant-specific metal halide light bulbs at the recent Aquarama in Singapore. No idea if they're any good though. BTW, try not to quote in such a way that it is excessive in length. I edited your post to remove the pictures that were taking up too much space.

Big pictures can be uploaded here:
http://www.photobucket.com
http://www.imageshack.us

thanks for the tip in the quote. still a newbie at forums, sorry.

On pl and fl hanging lights, there are a number i've seen in kl. East Aqua studio and Aquarium 88. didn't memorize the brands, will take note next visit.

The metal halide casings available are already of a very high quality design. it's the bulbs and the light spectrum that i'm wary about.
mh normally have broad spectrum range, incl the ones that algae thrive on.
pity i missed the aquarama, btw do you remember the maker of the mh lights you saw?

**|squee|** · 7th Jun 2005, 19:54

No I didn't remember, I didn't even check. MH lighting is a impossible thing for me to have while I still live with my parents

**stcyrwm** · 7th Jun 2005, 21:22

Originally Posted by vinz

Bill,

One of the advantages of an open top tank is that big plants can grow out of the water... like the bigger Echinodoruses. You can also let wood stick out of the water and decorate them with emmersed plants. In such cases, the lights need to be higher and suspension is the best way to do that. Even better if the height is adjustable.

Vinz,
I like the idea of the open top tank. Can I just take my existing compact flourescents and hang them or raise them a few inches higher? Would I need higher wattage lights to make up for the increased distance?

Thanks, Bill

**vinz** · 7th Jun 2005, 23:58

Bill,

If your lights can be safely suspended, or you can get stands to raise them, you can do it, but you are right that the light levels in the tank will be affected... especially the deeper parts... the relation is not a straight line. You will need to increase the lights or replace the plants. However, you might want to observe the plant's reaction for a week or more before you do anything.