i hate carpet surfing, who else?

[matt]

I lost my potters angel today. Fed the fish around lunchtime time and he didn't come to eat...and he always comes to eat. Turns out he went carpet surfing behind the tank. I should really put some screen on the backside of my canopy... I should've learned this lesson by now. I've lost a clown and hogfish the same way previously. It just really blows today as the potters was my favorite. I left cichlids for saltwater because I saw a potters....and this one had done great in my reef for more than a year. RIP little guy :-(

[surf&turf]

Sorry to hear, they are one of my favorite angels as well. I saw one on ERC's live sale that didn't sell if its any consolation. 

[epleeds]

If you go to lowes you can get everything you need to make screen tops for the tank for under $20. It only takes a short time to make them.

[DuffyGeos]

Sorry to hear that, I also love the Potter's Wrasse. I once lost a Flasher Wrasse that managed to squirt out between the side glass and a glass top on my IM16. That gap is 3/8" max all around...just measured.

 

So Eric says you can get everything from Lowe's. What are you getting, and what is the best screen set up that does not rust, is flexible in design, maybe has larger holes in the screen, and looks good?

 

Anyone have a good experience?

Edited September 21, 2014 by DuffyGeos

[Djplus1]

Screen kits are aluminum and do not rust. Just make sure you use the cicada netting that is 1/4" or smaller, vs bird netting which is more like 1/2".

[flooddc]

Bummer! Sorry to hear.

I lost a wrasse and dart fish even with the netting. Somehow they managed to squeezed through the 1/4" :(

[Squishie89]

I changed from glass lids to my own combination of egg crate and mesh.

 

There are 4 pieces total, 2 for each side. I used zip ties to secure the clear mesh to the egg crate. Only downside so far is evaporation has gone up and some of my mini ceriths have been escaping. Otherwise I love the new lids.

[DuffyGeos]

I changed from glass lids to my own combination of egg crate and mesh.

 

There are 4 pieces total, 2 for each side. I used zip ties to secure the clear mesh to the egg crate. Only downside so far is evaporation has gone up and some of my mini ceriths have been escaping. Otherwise I love the new lids.

Wouldn't that block alot of light?

[Squishie89]

Wouldn't that block alot of light?

It doesn't block as much as the glass lids did. There is still not 100% penetration, but it is an improvement and I have to have lids due to my birds.

[howaboutme]

I am using egg crate successfully but more to keep things out too. Tom did a par study a while back about how much light it blocks but I am not concerned. If he doesn't chime in with the link I will try to find it later. I like the stiffness of egg crate compared to netting. Helpful in keeping toys out.

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[lutz123]

I hate carpet surfing too! The only two times it has happened to me has been to half of a bonded pair. One time was with the nuvo 16 lid like above. The other was the only night I ever forgot to put the screen back on.

[matt]

Yeah, the back of my canopy is open....that seems to be the "escape" route. This tank is a bowfront, so the screen tops aren't as easy. I'm gonna have to close up the back though... I'm thinking window screen.

[Djplus1]

http://wamas.org/forums/topic/65049-bowfront-screen-top-success/?hl=bowfront

 

 

Yeah, the back of my canopy is open....that seems to be the "escape" route. This tank is a bowfront, so the screen tops aren't as easy. I'm gonna have to close up the back though... I'm thinking window screen.

[Salt Man]

Sorry go to lowes or Home depot, they will have everything that you need to build a blocker for your fish.