Is It Necessary for an Aquarium to Have a Lid?

Some aquarists feel their tanks should leave the water surface exposed to the air and without a cover. They believe a lid takes away from the natural look of their aquariums, and they may even think these items are just props because fish and invertebrates could care less about them. These can be a flawed assumption because aquarium covers can serve many purposes in terms of tank design and overall protection.

Most Modern Aquarium Tanks Feature Lids

While you can still find tanks that sell without lids, especially with freshwater planted aquariums and reef aquariums, they tend to be in the minority with fish-only tanks. If you’re new to the world of fish keeping, the store where you acquire your saltwater or freshwater aquarium supplies will likely push you toward a starter tank that includes a lid, and this has nothing to do with trying to squeeze more dollars from your purchase. In fact, separate specialty lids that feature automatic feeder systems and hidden lights tend to be pricier and are sold separately. Starting out with a lid is something all beginners should consider.

Tank Lids Play an Important Role in Terms of Water Quality

There’s no question that covered tanks will hold cleaner water compared to those without lids. Unless your home is equipped with a sophisticated air purification system, indoor air quality will be diminished by the presence of unwanted particles such as spores, pollen, and even pathogens. There’s also the matter of evaporation, which occurs at a much faster rate in uncovered tanks. Evaporation isn’t a big deal if you’re committed to frequent partial water changes, but what you actually want is some level of condensation promoted by the aquarium lid. Removing the lid during heat spells to cool the aquarium is definitely an exception.

Overall Tank Safety

Protecting the aquarium ecosystem is perhaps the most important reason you should keep your tank covered. If there are children in your household, you should have no problems making it clear they shouldn’t be sticking their hands in the water. As for feline pets, aquarium species tend to be simply irresistible to them, thus making lids absolutely necessary in living spaces where there are cats. Another safety aspect to think about is that many fish are known to jump out of their tanks without notice, and you may not always be there to help them return to their aquatic habitat. When this happens to new aquarists, they usually rush to find lids for their tanks.

Even Vivarium Tanks Need Covers

Aquarists who keep more complex ecosystems such as riparium enclosures, which simulate wetlands, mangrove, and river bank habitats, also put lids on their very tall tanks. While it’s true vivarium tanks often feature plants that enjoy vertical growth, the enclosure must be covered, particularly when keeping species such as snails, frogs, and turtles.

A lid is just one of many supplies you need for your fish tank. At Aquatic Warehouse, we carry everything that’s essential for properly maintaining an aquarium, from LED lighting and protein skimmers to filtration and aquarium controllers. We’re located in Kearny Mesa, and you can also order your supplies from our website. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives at 858-467-9297.