glass top and other questions

[mariebaby21]

I've decided for my D. leucomelas viv, I'm going to use a 20 long tank rather than a verticle as I've read they need more bottom space than verticle space. Here are my questions:

1. If I have a glass top cut to fit the tank, will I need any space at all to put mesh for some veintilation or would it be ok to cover the entire top with glass?
2. How will having a glass top effect the lighting I need for the plants
3. (not glass related) If I use hydroton then a screen of some sort and then the ABG, will I still need to install an area of some sort to syphon out water from the bottom?
4. How thick/thin should the top be that I have cut?

[Bdimas]

1. You can have it cut to fit the entire top. You can have them drill a couple holes out if you want for some ventilation but its not a necessity.

2. Just make sure to wipe away algae and dust from your top every now and then.

3. You can buy screen rolls at a hardware store. Make sure not to buy metal screen. You should either have a way to drain or siphon excess water out.

4. 3/16 should be fine for your size tank.

[deranged chipmunk]

Why have it cut when glass lids are readily available for 20L tanks? They cost about $25 at most pet shops. A piece of aquarium airline installed under the hydroton will suffice for drainage. And leucs will gladly utilize a vertical tank just as well as a horizontal one.

[flybyferns]

I've decided for my D. leucomelas viv, I'm going to use a 20 long tank rather than a verticle as I've read they need more bottom space than verticle space. Here are my questions:

1. If I have a glass top cut to fit the tank, will I need any space at all to put mesh for some veintilation or would it be ok to cover the entire top with glass?
2. How will having a glass top effect the lighting I need for the plants
3. (not glass related) If I use hydroton then a screen of some sort and then the ABG, will I still need to install an area of some sort to syphon out water from the bottom?
4. How thick/thin should the top be that I have cut?

Hi
You have gotten great advice. Complete glass top is ok.
You might consider more vertical space? They think they're tree frogs..... anyway! They will use all of the space provided.
I have a close up of how I did my substrate layers in my recent leuc tank( see FF album)
You don't have to use the poly.
I used both poly, fiberglass screen, and had a drainage hole drilled.
4-1/2 months --- there is NOT one speck of ABG in the hydro and the water there is clear. No silt has trickled through.
The drilled drainage hole ( all details in the album) were really worth it.
No yuckie siphoning - just empty a bucket ! Easy !
Lynn