Lidless Tanks

[njstockley]

I'm setting up a new Nano tank, and think I've found a 60 litre one that I like for a good price. My only issue with it is it currently has a lid with integrated light unit which i find pretty ugly.
My question is, if i removed the lid, and had a clip on light unit and heater running too, would the evaporation rate be noticeable, and mean that i would be constantly topping up the water?

thanks

nick

 

[JoshuaA]

I'm setting up a new Nano tank, and think I've found a 60 litre one that I like for a good price. My only issue with it is it currently has a lid with integrated light unit which i find pretty ugly.
My question is, if i removed the lid, and had a clip on light unit and heater running too, would the evaporation rate be noticeable, and mean that i would be constantly topping up the water?

thanks

nick

It is noticeable and depending on your climate will effect how greatly it is noticeable. For me in the UK on my 40L tank I do water changes every 7 days and it is noticeable at that point but not too much. I have a 8 litre heated nano which is lidless and you notice a difference but really by the time you come to water change it's not made that much difference.

If you were in a hot climate I imagine it would be a very different story.

 

[njstockley]

I'm setting up a new Nano tank, and think I've found a 60 litre one that I like for a good price. My only issue with it is it currently has a lid with integrated light unit which i find pretty ugly.
My question is, if i removed the lid, and had a clip on light unit and heater running too, would the evaporation rate be noticeable, and mean that i would be constantly topping up the water?

thanks

nick

It is noticeable and depending on your climate will effect how greatly it is noticeable. For me in the UK on my 40L tank I do water changes every 7 days and it is noticeable at that point but not too much. I have a 8 litre heated nano which is lidless and you notice a difference but really by the time you come to water change it's not made that much difference.

If you were in a hot climate I imagine it would be a very different story.

thats good to know - as im in the uk too i might just commit to getting this one. i didnt imagine it being too drastic, but if you can go 7 days without the top up then thats fine by me!
nick

 

[Piti]

Temperature, Pressure, and Hummidity all wiegh on evaporation of water. So do windspeed... and waterspeed...

 

[JoshuaA]

Temperature, Pressure, and Hummidity all wiegh on evaporation of water. So do windspeed... and waterspeed...

Temperatre, Pressure and Humidity in the UK (Climate) isn't cause for concern with lidless tanks unless you're bumping the central heating up, during the winter is the only time I noticed more evaporation and that was purely down to the heat pouring out the radiators.

What sort of "Clip on" light are you going for? I have a Arcadia Arc Pod 11w which is pretty good though you would probably need 2 for the 60L if you intended to grow plants well.

 

[njstockley]

Temperature, Pressure, and Hummidity all wiegh on evaporation of water. So do windspeed... and waterspeed...

Temperatre, Pressure and Humidity in the UK (Climate) isn't cause for concern with lidless tanks unless you're bumping the central heating up, during the winter is the only time I noticed more evaporation and that was purely down to the heat pouring out the radiators.

What sort of "Clip on" light are you going for? I have a Arcadia Arc Pod 11w which is pretty good though you would probably need 2 for the 60L if you intended to grow plants well.

to be honest, its still early days but the arcadia pods are the only one's ive seen - and as i'm going to go for medium planted, i had already thought 2 might be needed. am going to stop by the lfs at the weekend as remember them having some in stock previously, just cant remember the brands and power ratings.

 

[Athena]

Could you perhaps get one of those glass lids on runners? It's just a glass plate that sits on the inside support bars of the aquarium. I have one of these on my little 1 ft cube tank. Helps prevent evaporation. Also helps stop contaminants from the room entering the tank water and stops fish from jumping out!

Here's one website that sells them:

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue/aquarium-hoods-trays.asp


Regards, Athena

 

[njstockley]

Could you perhaps get one of those glass lids on runners? It's just a glass plate that sits on the inside support bars of the aquarium. I have one of these on my little 1 ft cube tank. Helps prevent evaporation. Also helps stop contaminants from the room entering the tank water and stops fish from jumping out!

Here's one website that sells them:

http/www.aquatics-...hoods-trays.asp


Regards, Athena

thanks for that its useful to know you can buy those...the front of the tank is bowed though, so will have to check if i could install before purchasing anything.
nick

 

[JoshuaA]

I have used a tank divider, those plastic sheets as with hunderds of holes for a lid whilst my betta lived in my 40L tank. The problem with that a chunk of the light is instantly wasted on it, the glass can have the same effect but no where near as bad.

 

[OldMan47]

I have had both experiences NJStockley.
I have some lidless tanks that have a good cover of plant material that only lose water very slowly and I have other tanks that lose water very quickly. The ones that are not a maintenance issue have heavy plant covers. The plants take up much of the surface area so there is very little left where water can evaporate. That seems to work about as well as having a tight fitting cover in terms of water evaporation.