Fish jumping out

dweebiii · 10/22/2016, 09:22 AM

I've witnessed a number of fish literally jumping out of my tank. It seemed to be a game for one of my fairy wrasses... until he did it when I wasn't home.

I have a 4'x2'x2' tank, with the egg crating on the top. But clearly, that crating isn't tight enough.

Debating on glass, or moving to a finer mesh top, like this one:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovativ...FIAQAA-vi.html

One problem: you have to remove the whole frame to feed the tank, instead of just pulling out a section (my current egg crate plastic top is in two pieces).

Other solutions?

lionfish300 · 10/22/2016, 09:45 AM

I am currently using RBS mesh I have 4 sections (96" long tank) You can make your in to however many sections you like at long at the screens have something to rest on. However I will be changing my to egg crates just because I can trim around my 2 sea swirl a lot better

Brieninsac · 10/22/2016, 10:16 AM

I bought a lid from Artfully Acrylics that has a feed door. Ya, they're a little pricy, but it fits like a glove.

Flippers4pups · 10/22/2016, 10:51 AM

Don't use glass tops or acrylic to cover a tank. They block some light par from reaching the tank, also acrylic will sag and discolor over time.

Egg crate diffuses too much light as well and can allow small fish to escape through it.

Aside of using a canopy, DIY screen tops are the most cost effective way to keep fish from jumping. The parts and screen can be bought at the big box hardware stores and made within a couple of hours. Can also be made as two screens, one larger to cover most of the tank and a smaller one as a means to feed your fish. I've made many screen tops in my day and highly recommend using one.

zooman72 · 10/22/2016, 11:13 AM

I have used glass tops on almost every tank I have ever had, which not only keeps fish in, but greatly reduces evaporation. I just keep them clean with a dusting wand, and have a notched corner for feeding ease.

Flaring Afro · 10/22/2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flippers4pups

Don't use glass tops or acrylic to cover a tank. They block some light par from reaching the tank, also acrylic will sag and discolor over time.

Egg crate diffuses too much light as well and can allow small fish to escape through it.

Aside of using a canopy, DIY screen tops are the most cost effective way to keep fish from jumping. The parts and screen can be bought at the big box hardware stores and made within a couple of hours. Can also be made as two screens, one larger to cover most of the tank and a smaller one as a means to feed your fish. I've made many screen tops in my day and highly recommend using one.

I've always heard acrylic doesn't yellow, just polycarbonate and other clear plastics. I personally have clear acrylic walls in a turtle setup right around their UV and heat lamps with no discoloration at all after years of use. If it's sagging, it must have been too thin. That said, I agree it shouldn't be used in this application. Another point I'd make is it would seal off the air from the water and you'd likely need an air pump or something.

wildman926 · 10/22/2016, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flippers4pups

Don't use glass tops or acrylic to cover a tank. They block some light par from reaching the tank, also acrylic will sag and discolor over time.

It is really not an issue. Proper lighting will still get the job done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaring Afro

Another point I'd make is it would seal off the air from the water and you'd likely need an air pump or something.

Not at all. Glass tops doe not totally seal off the tank. There is always a 1-2" opening in the back. That is where you can feed. Plus, if you have a sump, all of the air exchange happens there. Especially with skimmers...

tkeracer619 · 10/22/2016, 10:04 PM

Egg crate is actually called light diffuser. If you're growing corals it's not a good way to go.

Use the brs netting. It works well. My top is 3 sections for an 8 foot tank. You can get creative with it and also with the way you feed.

dweber618 · 10/22/2016, 11:22 PM

Here's some pics of my solution. It's three separate sections. It's the brs 1/8" mesh, with a screen kit from home Depot. Then fashioned tabs for the corners to hold the screens in place, which sit inside, rather than on top of the tank. Very snug snug and jump proof!

Kyl · 10/22/2016, 11:25 PM

Depending on the size, 1/4" mesh or bridal tulle if smaller fish.

billdogg · 10/23/2016, 09:38 AM

You can see below how I did mine using window screen frames and 1/4" mesh from BRS. The rear sections stay in place and have slits to allow power cords to get through while still fitting securely. The front sections are easily removable for access to the tank

hth

dweebiii · 10/25/2016, 08:18 AM

I stopped by Lowes and bought plastic gutter guard. It's only 6 inches wide, but quite stout, so I think it will hold up longer.

10/22/2016, 09:22 AM	#1
dweebiii Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 26	Fish jumping out I've witnessed a number of fish literally jumping out of my tank. It seemed to be a game for one of my fairy wrasses... until he did it when I wasn't home. I have a 4'x2'x2' tank, with the egg crating on the top. But clearly, that crating isn't tight enough. Debating on glass, or moving to a finer mesh top, like this one: http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovativ...FIAQAA-vi.html One problem: you have to remove the whole frame to feed the tank, instead of just pulling out a section (my current egg crate plastic top is in two pieces). Other solutions?

10/22/2016, 10:16 AM	#3
Brieninsac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 782	I bought a lid from Artfully Acrylics that has a feed door. Ya, they're a little pricy, but it fits like a glove. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 350 (73gal/18gal sump) / Kessil a360WE Lights

10/22/2016, 10:51 AM	#4
Flippers4pups Home made abyss Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO Posts: 2,047	Don't use glass tops or acrylic to cover a tank. They block some light par from reaching the tank, also acrylic will sag and discolor over time. Egg crate diffuses too much light as well and can allow small fish to escape through it. Aside of using a canopy, DIY screen tops are the most cost effective way to keep fish from jumping. The parts and screen can be bought at the big box hardware stores and made within a couple of hours. Can also be made as two screens, one larger to cover most of the tank and a smaller one as a means to feed your fish. I've made many screen tops in my day and highly recommend using one. __________________ Don Reefing since 1993 Current Tank info: 125 gallon DT , 125 gallon basement sump. Rw 15 & Rw 8. Panworld 150ps return. Reef Octopus 150 skimmer, 3 165w mars aqua led.

10/22/2016, 11:13 AM	#5
zooman72 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lockport, NY Posts: 1,340	I have used glass tops on almost every tank I have ever had, which not only keeps fish in, but greatly reduces evaporation. I just keep them clean with a dusting wand, and have a notched corner for feeding ease. __________________ 7 reef tanks, 5 freshwater tanks, 2 terrariums, 2 dogs, 3 boys, and 1 very understanding wife! Current Tank Info: Marine: Pair of 40B's, 45W, 50g cube, ADA 45F at home...IM Nuvo 20 and 10 at office!

10/22/2016, 10:04 PM	#8
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Egg crate is actually called light diffuser. If you're growing corals it's not a good way to go. Use the brs netting. It works well. My top is 3 sections for an 8 foot tank. You can get creative with it and also with the way you feed. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

10/22/2016, 09:45 AM	#2
lionfish300 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico Posts: 795	I am currently using RBS mesh I have 4 sections (96" long tank) You can make your in to however many sections you like at long at the screens have something to rest on. However I will be changing my to egg crates just because I can trim around my 2 sea swirl a lot better

10/22/2016, 11:25 PM	#10
Kyl Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 93	Depending on the size, 1/4" mesh or bridal tulle if smaller fish.

10/23/2016, 09:38 AM	#11
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	You can see below how I did mine using window screen frames and 1/4" mesh from BRS. The rear sections stay in place and have slits to allow power cords to get through while still fitting securely. The front sections are easily removable for access to the tank hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/25/2016, 08:18 AM	#12
dweebiii Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 26	I stopped by Lowes and bought plastic gutter guard. It's only 6 inches wide, but quite stout, so I think it will hold up longer.