Will an open top tank suffer with excessive evaporation?

Question

I am about to start a tropical aquarum and I am considering an open top tank design with a suspended light. Will this design of tank cause excessive evaporation or condensation in the room or am I better off going for a tank with a fitted lid ?

Answer 1

Yes, the water will eveaporate quicker. Also, as already said, your fish may also jump out. Many people keep tanks without lids succesfully, but they have to keep up on topping off the tank. If you want to suspend the lighting above the tank, get a plexiglass of glass tank cover. Plexiglass is best as is won't retract or distort the lighting as much as glass will.

Answer 2

Lots more water will evaporate of course, but as long as you are willing to top off the day every few days between water changes you should be ok. Jumping fish is another matter and could be a problem depending on what fish you keep. A glass top would probably be a good idea and would work well with the suspended lights.

MM

Answer 3

I have had an open water aquarium before. In your case I think it would be better with a lid. Mainly no matter what the ater will evaporate a little, but with a light and no lid it will more. Also with a lid it will prevent dust items and so forth from getting into your tank. If you don't find the answers here, try google-ing it or searching it on yahoo. :) Good Luck!

Answer 4

The top will help with a variety of things such as the filter, heater (if not goldfish) and the evaporation issue. Did the tank come with the top?.......... Some fish tend to jump out and that can be a issue

Answer 5

i have a 60 litre tank with no lid. I lose about 5 litres a week through evapouration. just leave a window open slighty in the room with the tank and make sure you keep topping the tank up, i've had mine for just over a year and have had no problems with my tropical fish

Answer 6

Also the fish can jump out