shade/cover for the fish tank

[Charlotte Seibert]

Just wondering how much shade or cover you need for the fish tank and what is the best way cover but  still have some access to the tank. I keep my tank covered , I can put food in, but when I have to check to get out any uneaten food I have to take the cover off, this really freaks the fish out..no matter how slow I take it off.  Or no matter what time of day or early night I try to get in the tank.I would like to beable to see my fish.. I was thinking of putting a top made of green fiberglass (like you see on greenhouses) Just how much of the sun do I have to keep out to keep from getting alge? We had 3 days last week of no sun due to rain, I kept the top off, mainly to let the rain in, it sure was nice setting out there and watching my fish not fighting each other to hide around the filter..any ideas guys..or pictures?

[TCLynx]

My tank covers are usually part solid and part netting which allows a little light in so the fish can tell night from day.  I usually just peak under the cover to watch the fish eat but that often means getting splashed in the face.

[Charlotte Seibert]

ty had not thought about netting, have some old camo netting that I will use

[TCLynx]

See there are multiple purposes for fish tank covers.

1-shade to reduce/minimize algae

2-keep debris, pets, fish thieves (birds/raccoons) and children out of fish tank

3-keep fish in fish tank (read netting as reverse fish trampoline to bounce the jumpers back down into the tank instead of letting them try their skills at walking outside the tank.)