Jumping Fish and glass tops

[polaravic]

Would it be safe enough to use glass only to seal off the top of the tank in order to keep Flasher Wrasses and/or Anthias from jumping out?

Or would they hit their heads hard enough for them to lose consciousness and then drown?

polaravic

 

[Deinonych]

Better to use a mesh top. Promotes better gas/heat exchange and prevents the fish from injuring themselves.

 

[Silly clownfish]

I have used full glass canopies on every tanks I have ever had. I have still had jumpers - flame hawk and a neon dottyback, in my old tank - there were square cutouts around pipes. I still can't say for certain how my McCoskers Wrasse got out of my current tank. I have foam around the return pipes. All I can figure is the foam must have gotten squished when I removed the lid during a water change.

That said the wrasse did regularly hit the glass canopy. Loudly. He also jumped out at least 3 times when I had the lid open to put in food. He had a death wish.

If you use mesh, make sure the opennings are visibly smaller than the smallest diameter fish.

As for gas/heat exchange, you sump and skimmer take care of gas exchange. Since my lights (LED) hang above the tank, not in a closed canopy, the glass helps to keep heat and humidity in, which I consider a plus.

The glass also keep dust, dog hair, etc out.

 

[ThRoewer]

Some fish don't just randomly jump but are actually trying a "prison break" to get out. So they may actually aim for openings they can see.

For glass covers with cutouts it is best to make some tight fitting acrylic or foam masks that close the gaps.

 

[polaravic]

Thanks everybody. I will be soon setting up a 6ft x 22" x 22" 150 gal tank with a 75 gal refugium. I would like to put in mostly small fish so they would have lots of swimming room so I might give it a try.

polaravic