Carpet Surfing :-(

[Sharkey18]

So, I just lost my snowflake. He took a field trip to the floor and didn't make it back. I have had fish jump in the past, a six line, maybe one or two others.

I don't have a jump guard, but if I ever got another eel I would definitely get one, but what about other fish?

 

How many people actually use a mesh over their tanks to keep jumpers in. I've seen a lot of tanks but almost no one with any jump prevention systems.

 

If I do use a mesh, what would I use? How would it affect lighting etc? My new tank is euro-braced. Will that help reduce jumping?

 

Would lover to hear your thoughts!

[LCDRDATA]

So, I just lost my snowflake. He took a field trip to the floor and didn't make it back. I have had fish jump in the past, a six line, maybe one or two others.

I don't have a jump guard, but if I ever got another eel I would definitely get one, but what about other fish?

 

How many people actually use a mesh over their tanks to keep jumpers in. I've seen a lot of tanks but almost no one with any jump prevention systems.

 

If I do use a mesh, what would I use? How would it affect lighting etc? My new tank is euro-braced. Will that help reduce jumping?

 

Would lover to hear your thoughts!

I currently have a glass top, and it's prevented a number of jumpers from departing my tank. Yet, a few have still managed to slip out the slot for the overflow etc. - over four years I've lost a chalk bass, scissortail goby, juvenile (~ 8") snowflake moray (different tank, similar setup), and possibly a couple other disappearences (we have three cats, so if they found them first I'd expect no evidence). About two weeks ago I found my leopard wrasse on the floor, but got him back in the tank apparently no worse for the wear. My top does cut the light down some. I thought about using white egg crate for a top instead, but that seemed to have the same light blockage as the glass. Now, I've got all the parts for a screen top, including clear mesh from Bulk Reef Supply. Then I'm going to use egg crate for the back slot (overflow, inlet, etc) but I figure that should be minimal. I wouldn't worry about significant light loss if using the clear mesh.

Edited July 8, 2012 by LCDRDATA

[epleeds]

Roni has a really nice net over his tank. Depending on what fish I am going to put in, i will probably do the same. ask him for a pic. im sure he has one somewhere.

[schudini]

I have a DIY screen frame with a double layer of bird-block netting. Thin netting, strong, no light blockage, easy to clean (salt creep), doesn't trap heat from the lights.

 

Can build in less than 30 minutes. All parts and tools cost less than $20.

[Coral Hind]

I have a screen over my 75g QT but nothing over my display but it is on my to do list. Even with a screen a snowflake can get out unless it is secured down, they just push it up.

 

I have a small snowflake eel you can have. LMK

[Origami]

I don't have a screen but have only lost 1 fish over the years and, coincidentally, that was just yesterday. One of my Kupang Damsels decided to make a run for it. It didn't get far....

[Steve G]

I currently have a glass top, and it's prevented a number of jumpers from departing my tank. Yet, a few have still managed to slip out the slot for the overflow etc. - over four years I've lost a chalk bass, scissortail goby, juvenile (~ 8") snowflake moray (different tank, similar setup), and possibly a couple other disappearences (we have three cats, so if they found them first I'd expect no evidence). About two weeks ago I found my leopard wrasse on the floor, but got him back in the tank apparently no worse for the wear. My top does cut the light down some. I thought about using white egg crate for a top instead, but that seemed to have the same light blockage as the glass. Now, I've got all the parts for a screen top, including clear mesh from Bulk Reef Supply. Then I'm going to use egg crate for the back slot (overflow, inlet, etc) but I figure that should be minimal. I wouldn't worry about significant light loss if using the clear mesh.

 

Wow, LCDRDATA, you are an unlucky reefer. I have lost two fish ever due to carpet surfing. In both cases the fish (a green chromis and a juvenile clownfish) were being bullied and would likely have died of other causes.

 

Here's what I do. I only cover the edges of the tank with eggcrate in the week or two after I introduce new critters to the display. After that, I remove the eggcrate. Jumpers are usually certain species of fish (jaw fish, for example, are notorious suicidal maniacs) or certain times, like when the territory changes, sex changes, or a new fish is introduced. I've never kept eels, so I don;t know much about their behavior. That is totally creepy to think they exit the tank. I wouldn't want to have one in my bedroom.

 

Snails and crabs that wander out of the tank are a different story, but I usually don't sweat that stuff. They usually find their way back in the tank when they realize the high tide isn't coming :;

 

Good luck.

[Ryan S]

I've always had a canopy or mesh cover. Don't want to risk any of my fish jumping to their death.

[Wyatt]

I also made a mesh cover from Home Depot, but there is about an inch wide gap at the rear exposed for my HOB filter. We'll see if it can keep clowns in (when I get them). It keeps all my snails in the tank though (I've already had 4 freaking snail suicides).

[Supernova26]

My picasso clowns were there for 1 year on my 120 before I removed the screen top. Hosting a rbta and as happy as they could be. 3 months later the Female jumps out. Some fish just jump. Always keep the top on. I build one with the mesh from brs and works well