going topless?

[ReefKnot]

I'm thinking about running my 29g without a lid/canopy. I have two false percs. No other fish, but I do have a cleaner shrimp. Anyway, are the percs likely to be jumpers? Mine seem to be fairly calm, aside from biting me once in a while when I try to flip a snail. Any advice is helpful. Thanks

 

[Fretfreak13]

I have a 29 that is topless, has been for two years with two percs. they're fine

 

[AGYDAL]

I have two topless tanks one has a Picasso in it an not a problem yet. I love the look of topless tanks very clean looking and one less thing to clean water spots and salt creep off of...the money I saved by not getting the canopy/lid I put towards my ATO budget and bought a very nice ATO because I do think it evaporates faster topless.

One thing though, if you have a cat or anyother jumping curious animal be careful...when I was a kid my Dads cat would sit on my Moms glass topped 55gal fresh tank for hours at a time and watch the fish (Dad had a heavier glass cut for the lid to hold the cats weight) a time or two someone forgot to close the lid after feeding, he was always okay but you could tell he wasn't happy with us for the few days after it would happen.

 

[ReefKnot]

I have two topless tanks one has a Picasso in it an not a problem yet. I love the look of topless tanks very clean looking and one less thing to clean water spots and salt creep off of...the money I saved by not getting the canopy/lid I put towards my ATO budget and bought a very nice ATO because I do think it evaporates faster topless.

One thing though, if you have a cat or anyother jumping curious animal be careful...when I was a kid my Dads cat would sit on my Moms glass topped 55gal fresh tank for hours at a time and watch the fish (Dad had a heavier glass cut for the lid to hold the cats weight) a time or two someone forgot to close the lid after feeding, he was always okay but you could tell he wasn't happy with us for the few days after it would happen.

LOL good advice. Luckily its just me and my fish. I've been all alone till I got these jokers. They are really personable, always coming over to greet me when I look at the tank. Although I suspect its more that they are looking for food. Thanks for the reassurance. Should I drop the water level a bit? And if so, how much? I'm going to try going topless for the day tomorrow while I'm around. Thanks again!

 

[AGYDAL]

No problem! I didn't change anything with my tank when I decided to remove the lid for the halide upgrade and my recent tank built I never even considered a lid...I've yet to have a saltwater fish jump out of the tank my wrasse does enjoy jumping into the area behind the return on my little tank (I think he's pretending he's a salmon swimming upstream) and in my 25years of freshwater experience the only time I had jumpers was when they've gotten really hungry while I was out of town or something was out of wack with the water quality...I have seen a few build threads on here with DIY mesh lids for people that have had problem jumpers like wrasses.

I love my saltwater fish they are very interactive compared to any fresh I've had, I currently have a Discus tank and they are beautiful but sooo skittish! Now on the otherhand a have a fish in my saltwater tank that sometimes I wonder who's really watching who...like a little swimming puppy dog without the wet dog smell waiting for me to come home at the end of the day LOL.

 

[ReefKnot]

Now on the otherhand a have a fish in my saltwater tank that sometimes I wonder who's really watching who...like a little swimming puppy dog without the wet dog smell waiting for me to come home at the end of the day LOL.

LOL I know what you mean. I get off my couch to go to the kitchen and they both follow me along, and I swear I feel 4 eyes around the corner of the wall just hoping I'm going for the freezer and the food hidden within. It's pretty amusing to watch sometimes. I'll post on here tomorrow evening and let you know how the first day turns. I have some eggcrate I can use as an improvised screen if needed to let them get used to it, but I really dont see it being a problem.

 

[jt_milstead]

I have had two different Picassos in two different tanks jump. My wife recently had an A. Nigrages jump from her Solana with the lid on. What I have done is make a screen out of pond netting, and window screen frame.

 

[bues0022]

While clownfish aren't necessarily as "jumper" prone as some species of fish, it definitely does occur in a non-negligible number. I had one make it through my netting just last week. If it were me, and had a decent pair of fish, I'd cover it somehow. I'll be modifying my netting this week.

 

[jt_milstead]

While clownfish aren't necessarily as "jumper" prone as some species of fish, it definitely does occur in a non-negligible number. I had one make it through my netting just last week. If it were me, and had a decent pair of fish, I'd cover it somehow. I'll be modifying my netting this week.

I agree completely. I think something at night must startle them, and they just spazz out.

 

[ReefKnot]

Ok thanks. I will keep that in mind. I'm still going to try it, but possibly make a cover for the night. I'm here most of the day anyways.

 

[bues0022]

FWIW, my jumper was during the day. Any sudden movement can startle them - just like us. If you walk past the tank and they didn't see you, that could startle them too. I'm not implying they're a fidgety fish, butnight time isn't the only time for jumping. Dawnto dusk is probably more risky, but it can happen in the day too.

 

[JJ Ocean]

I've never had a clown that jumped myself, but I still keep mesh over my tanks that have high dollar clowns or juveniles. I've known enough experienced folks that had their clowns carpet surf to not want to risk it. The part that really disturbed me was the numerous "had my clown for X years with no problems and came home yesterday to find them on the floor". I originally thought that if you had them for a while and they didn't jump that they wouldn't jump - other's experiences have proved that wrong.

One thing I do to try to prevent it is dimming the lights vs. cut off. I've seen enough clowns bolt the tank when the lights snapped off - especially when they were far from their sleeping spot.

 

[jeffreylesser]

Egg crate is easy to cut to fit, although it will cut down on the light vs a plastic net top. I use the white stuff from home depot, but I have an enclosed top. If I was going topless I would probably order some black. I use it for light acclimation in my tank, as window screen material sits nicely on top of it.