How dangerous?

brynkal · 03/07/2009, 03:40 PM

Do most people have canopies or glass on top of their tanks? If you don't use either, how restricted are you with regard to which fish you can have in the tank? I know firefish will jump, probably wrasses, maybe blennies? So, what do you consider safe with an open tank, tangs, angels, what else?

Salamander · 03/07/2009, 03:45 PM

My top is open and it does limit what you can have. I have a yellow tang, hippo tank, two false percs, two cardinals, a pseudochromis and a sailfin blennie. Non of them are big jumpers and have been in this new open top tank for two years.

JENnKerry · 03/07/2009, 04:04 PM

Take into consideration which fish are prone to jumping (firefish and other gobies) and try to house them with tankmates that won't give them any reason to jump.

PRDubois · 03/07/2009, 04:10 PM

Salt Water do not use Glass

Aquarist007 · 03/07/2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brynkal
Do most people have canopies or glass on top of their tanks? If you don't use either, how restricted are you with regard to which fish you can have in the tank? I know firefish will jump, probably wrasses, maybe blennies? So, what do you consider safe with an open tank, tangs, angels, what else?

One of the biggest oxgen/carbon dioxide gas exchange occurs at the surface of the water; as does heat dissipation. This is why this area should be open and churning.
By keeping high flow and water churning in this area it can deter some fish from jumping--but not a guarantee.

That said --if you wish to cover it there are many ways better then a glass canopy:

Here is a blog on how to prevent fish from jumping out

http://www.reefcentral.com/wp/?p=317

Saltliquid · 03/07/2009, 04:23 PM

Just get some mesh,i use fine mono philiment mesh and fit it over the top of your tank.

All fish are safe when you have fine mesh over it and the lighting is not affected either.

You can make a timber,plastic,or glass frame for the mesh to lift it off and on,no worries.

Aquarist007 · 03/07/2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by liquidg
Just get some mesh,i use fine mono philiment mesh and fit it over the top of your tank.

All fish are safe when you have fine mesh over it and the lighting is not affected either.

You can make a timber,plastic,or glass frame for the mesh to lift it off and on,no worries.

it keeps the sea gulls from diving in too

Sk8r · 03/07/2009, 04:28 PM

I use a 'fake rim': that's a sit-down-item atop the tank rim that is a mere shell with an open top. It's 9" high, and very few fish can jump high enough to escape that. It also serves as a support for my lighting.

Aquarist007 · 03/07/2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sk8r
I use a 'fake rim': that's a sit-down-item atop the tank rim that is a mere shell with an open top. It's 9" high, and very few fish can jump high enough to escape that. It also serves as a support for my lighting.

its about time you posted a shot of your tank

I think I have(and others)a similar situation with the wooden canopy. If a fish jumps its going to hit the light fixture which is within 6 inches of the tank or the top of the canopy and bounce back in--hopefully with a little more sense knocked into them.

Shaummy · 03/07/2009, 07:54 PM

I use a top made with eggcrate/light diffuser that sets on the rim of the tank. The squares are like 1/2" big or something. I'm not saying fish can't get out, but it is better than completely open.

Saltliquid · 03/07/2009, 09:03 PM

I did the same a while back,but my lights didn't really allow it easily.

plus when they hit the mesh there is no damage to them.

One of the first times with defuser,a fish got stuck in one of the holes,the smell showed me where it was,eventualy.

I dont have any of those probs anymore,when i make a tank now,i make it with a high edge and a lip at the top,no probs since.

Toddrtrex · 03/07/2009, 10:36 PM

Only one of my tanks (( have 3 )) has egg create over it. The main reason that one does is because the female clown hasn't fully accepted the male yet, and it tends to "sleep" near the top corner of the tank. Had lost a different male (( was a different female too )) in the past because she chased it out of the tank.

Used to have a wrasse with an open top --- like to live on the edge

-- it never jumped out of the tank, but seemed to find the overflow a lot. Ended up selling it (( for the jumping, and because it was getting an attitude. ))

scottwhitson · 03/08/2009, 12:35 AM

I have a wrasse that has jumped into my overflow twice now. I have eggcrate on the back of my tank but I like the screen idea.

brynkal · 03/11/2009, 12:35 PM

Wow, I love the "fake rim", we could do that if we took the top off of our canopy...

Then, since we have retrofit lights in the canopy (3-150 MH, 4 PC, moonlights), we would need to trade them for a 72" fixture w/ the same lights, but the fixtures say not to be used in a canopy...can a fixture be used in a "fake rim"?

It would sure be nice to be able to get into the aquarium without taking the canopy off...

es355lucille · 03/11/2009, 03:07 PM

Well yesterday we had the glass lid open on our aquarium. We were just standing around talking when our Fairy Wrasse flew......I mean came out 6-8 inches off the water and landed on the hardwood floor. I scooped him up and put him back in the tank....of course he was in shock for the rest of the day.

Today he is good. My wife was looking for a name for him.....we call him "Lucky" now!!.....if we were not there at the time.........well lets just say "I saved my Wrasse"

I really like the open top aquariums, but some fish jump and quite well I might add.

Juruense · 03/11/2009, 03:46 PM

I stopped cleaning glass lids years ago and have never looked back!

Both tanks are wide open:

Toad42013 · 03/11/2009, 04:01 PM

I have an open top. I really like it and i have never had any jumpers. Its much easier to keep my tank cool.

03/07/2009, 03:40 PM	#1
brynkal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 549	How dangerous? Do most people have canopies or glass on top of their tanks? If you don't use either, how restricted are you with regard to which fish you can have in the tank? I know firefish will jump, probably wrasses, maybe blennies? So, what do you consider safe with an open tank, tangs, angels, what else?

03/07/2009, 03:45 PM	#2
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	My top is open and it does limit what you can have. I have a yellow tang, hippo tank, two false percs, two cardinals, a pseudochromis and a sailfin blennie. Non of them are big jumpers and have been in this new open top tank for two years. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

03/07/2009, 04:04 PM	#3
JENnKerry Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jersey Posts: 7,384	Take into consideration which fish are prone to jumping (firefish and other gobies) and try to house them with tankmates that won't give them any reason to jump. __________________ We Don't Have a Signature..... Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon Reef

03/07/2009, 04:10 PM	#4
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Salt Water do not use Glass __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

03/07/2009, 04:23 PM	#6
Saltliquid Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 911	open top Just get some mesh,i use fine mono philiment mesh and fit it over the top of your tank. All fish are safe when you have fine mesh over it and the lighting is not affected either. You can make a timber,plastic,or glass frame for the mesh to lift it off and on,no worries.

03/07/2009, 04:28 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a 'fake rim': that's a sit-down-item atop the tank rim that is a mere shell with an open top. It's 9" high, and very few fish can jump high enough to escape that. It also serves as a support for my lighting. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/07/2009, 07:54 PM	#10
Shaummy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 857	I use a top made with eggcrate/light diffuser that sets on the rim of the tank. The squares are like 1/2" big or something. I'm not saying fish can't get out, but it is better than completely open. __________________ Shaummy Current Tank Info: Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef, hermits, snails,Lyretail Anthias,Orange back Fairy Wrasse,Blue Reef Chromis,small blue tang, Flame Hawk, Royal Gramma

03/07/2009, 09:03 PM	#11
Saltliquid Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 911	egg crate I did the same a while back,but my lights didn't really allow it easily. plus when they hit the mesh there is no damage to them. One of the first times with defuser,a fish got stuck in one of the holes,the smell showed me where it was,eventualy. I dont have any of those probs anymore,when i make a tank now,i make it with a high edge and a lip at the top,no probs since.

03/07/2009, 10:36 PM	#12
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Only one of my tanks (( have 3 )) has egg create over it. The main reason that one does is because the female clown hasn't fully accepted the male yet, and it tends to "sleep" near the top corner of the tank. Had lost a different male (( was a different female too )) in the past because she chased it out of the tank. Used to have a wrasse with an open top --- like to live on the edge -- it never jumped out of the tank, but seemed to find the overflow a lot. Ended up selling it (( for the jumping, and because it was getting an attitude. )) __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

03/08/2009, 12:35 AM	#13
scottwhitson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 1,395	I have a wrasse that has jumped into my overflow twice now. I have eggcrate on the back of my tank but I like the screen idea.

03/11/2009, 12:35 PM	#14
brynkal Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 549	Wow, I love the "fake rim", we could do that if we took the top off of our canopy... Then, since we have retrofit lights in the canopy (3-150 MH, 4 PC, moonlights), we would need to trade them for a 72" fixture w/ the same lights, but the fixtures say not to be used in a canopy...can a fixture be used in a "fake rim"? It would sure be nice to be able to get into the aquarium without taking the canopy off...

03/11/2009, 03:07 PM	#15
es355lucille Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Area Posts: 13	Kiss your Wrasse Goodbye!! LOL Well yesterday we had the glass lid open on our aquarium. We were just standing around talking when our Fairy Wrasse flew......I mean came out 6-8 inches off the water and landed on the hardwood floor. I scooped him up and put him back in the tank....of course he was in shock for the rest of the day. Today he is good. My wife was looking for a name for him.....we call him "Lucky" now!!.....if we were not there at the time.........well lets just say "I saved my Wrasse" I really like the open top aquariums, but some fish jump and quite well I might add.

03/11/2009, 03:46 PM	#16
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	I stopped cleaning glass lids years ago and have never looked back! Both tanks are wide open:

03/11/2009, 04:01 PM	#17
Toad42013 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 185	I have an open top. I really like it and i have never had any jumpers. Its much easier to keep my tank cool. __________________ The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. Current Tank Info: 55 gal Reef