Am still trying to get all my ducks in a row here in Thailand before I actually buy anything.
One of the issues I am facing is lighting. I want to be able to put low tech live plants in the tank along with the fish, but the "package" aquariums for sale here only have 20 watts of light, even up to 30 gal tank. I feel like I need a little more but looking at the inside of the cover with the package, it is pretty flimsy and does not appear to be suitable to add another fixture.
My other issue is that I don't have the tools here to build a cover.
I have found a two tube (40w) fixture made to fit onto the top rim of a tank which at first glance seems to fit my needs. If I use this however, I will not have a cover on the tank.
Finally to the question. Other than issues of evaporation, is a cover really necessary? I plan to have plants, gouramis, barbs, corydoras, and perhaps a few nerite snails or shrimp.
thanks
One of the issues I am facing is lighting. I want to be able to put low tech live plants in the tank along with the fish, but the "package" aquariums for sale here only have 20 watts of light, even up to 30 gal tank. I feel like I need a little more but looking at the inside of the cover with the package, it is pretty flimsy and does not appear to be suitable to add another fixture.
My other issue is that I don't have the tools here to build a cover.
I have found a two tube (40w) fixture made to fit onto the top rim of a tank which at first glance seems to fit my needs. If I use this however, I will not have a cover on the tank.
Finally to the question. Other than issues of evaporation, is a cover really necessary? I plan to have plants, gouramis, barbs, corydoras, and perhaps a few nerite snails or shrimp.
thanks