cleaning tank...jumping fish

[shawmutt]

OK, my mood has improved somewhat since last night's fiasco at the lfs. I'm thinking about what to do for my tank, and I'm thinking hatchet fish would be perfect, but I have one concern--they're jumpers. I have a full top, but the tank is old and there's more plastic sections taken out then I need. My lfs sells a complete glass top, should I invest in this? What special consideration do I need to keep in mind for the tank...especially when I'm cleaningand I have the top off?

[d9hp]

I think they restric air too much. I have one on my refuge, but there is not a bunch of surface agitation in there, and I am about to make my show tank open topped.

[tkos]

I have a glass top and so far it looks great on my tank. The problem is that you have to occasionally take them off to clean as they build up residue from evaporation and soon they get white and you can't see through them. So it depends on whether you want to look through the top or not. Also just drop the water level and throw in some floating plants. The glass tops are pretty cheap compared to buying a new hood though.

I'm thinking hatchet fish would be perfect, but I have one concern--they're jumpers.

They are, will find the holes in your old hood, and go carpet surfing in no time.

I really don't like glass tops though, I believe the cleaning is a hassle, and they cut down on the light that gets to my plants, so I just don't have any tanks set up this way. Also, hatchet fish are cool, I like mine, but If I didn't have my DIY canopy I wouldn't go out of my way to get a special top just to have hatchets. JMO.

[shawmutt]

Thanks all!

[Bearfan]

I have glass tops on two of my setups and am really happy with them. You do have to clean them often, but I just make it part of my routine maintenance.