Osaka 155 Tank

[scoobydiver]

Hi there

just started getting into this hobby and bought myself an osaka 155 tank. Would have loved a huge tank but don`t have the space in the livingroom for it.

As you know this is an open topped tank and was just wondering if anybody else has experience of this type in regards to water evaporation and fish jumping out.

Can you get custom made lids for these or has anybody tried making one themselves ?

Started my fishless cycle and noticed the water level has dropped a bit during the last couple of days - would the best idea to keep a 2 litre bottle of dechlorinated water handy to top it up when needed ?

thanks for any advice or tips for a complete newbbie at this.

 

[chrisbassist]

Hi.

The higher the temp the worse the evaporation will be.

During the fishless cycle you could cover the tank completely with bin liners etc. This will help with evaporation, and also stop the light getting in and starting algae issues.

After that you have a couple of options.

First you could try and get some Perspex from a diy shop to use as a cover. That should help with the jumping and the evaporation.

Or you could cover with egg crate which will stop jumpers but not the evap.

No matter what you do you'll lose some water but obviously with a cover it's less and not normally noticable between water changes.

Is there anything at the top you could rest a cover on?

 

[scoobydiver]

Thanks for that Chris, will investigate to see what I can use as a lid or at least a screen to stop fish jumping out.

Would I be right in saying the fact that it is an open tank would be better for the oxygenation of the water ?

 

[chrisbassist]

I have heard that, but seen no evidence either way. I think making sure the filter agitated the water surface is much more important.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, air is air, whether it got there through a crack or via an open top. Its the surface water movement that matters, as Chris said.

WD

 

[scoobydiver]

was thinking of adding a spray bar for this purpose instead of the single outlet - are these any good ?

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I use a spraybar and find that it is quite effective at moving the entire sheet of surface water and helping to set up circulation in the direction you give it. WD

 

[scoobydiver]

bought one today from ebay so will try it out when it arrives.

cheers.

 

[2010emma]

I have jsut recently bought the same tank Scooby.

It looks lovely but the evaporation issue is a nightmare! I find I'm topping the water up on a daily basis to keep it above the silver strip. I have thought about getting a perspex lid but the problem is, with there been no 'lip' on the rim, it would end up falling in! If you find a solution let me know!