My rant.

[Matt_Wandell]

The extra lip around the top of that tank in the post above mine or having the water level 6" from the top will NOT keep a fish in...not even close.

Of course not, but if one is insistent on having an open top it improves their odds.

 

[suta4242]

I picked up a rimless recently that, when set up will run water very high ie about 1-1.5cm below the glass edge. Then I came home, looked at some of my fish (yeah including the helfrichi firefish) and realised this wasn't a smart option for them (at all). Now I'm unsure what to put in there fish wise.

But to answer your original question, nothing beats looking down at corals from a rimless set up. Add some spotlights and the whole look is very modern.

Problem is I like my fish a lot too and am now considering putting small starfire triangles in the corners so I can make a netting top, before adding fish:hammer:.... Realise it'll spoil the look, but at least my fish will still be going strong.

So is Greg Scheimer's one just the same as auem's idea, ie keep the last ~4" free of water? I heard this methods popular in parts of Europe.

 

[singold]

Better CO2 exchange, lighting, & temp. concerns are the main reasons.

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

 

[snorvich]

No top means fish can and will leave.

 

[gasman059]

You can buy it at Bulk Reef Supply. Search under 1/4" clear netting.

bradley would u be so kinf and provide us a link-- i can't seem to find it on their site THX

 

[Yogre]

Here you go:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/clear-1-4-screen-netting-7-x-3.html

 

[Beaun]

Here is a link to everything you would need to make it:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=netting

 

[Paco]

I installed my fish tank in my back yard, in the middle of my swimming pool, which I converted to saltwater. That way if the fish jump out, then just end up in the pool and I can net them and put them back into the tank.

 

[lvpd186]

I installed my fish tank in my back yard, in the middle of my swimming pool, which I converted to saltwater. That way if the fish jump out, then just end up in the pool and I can net them and put them back into the tank.

I know its off topic but I would love to see a pic of that! As for the mesh I agree it works better then egg-crate. I use to use egg-crate but moved to mesh after a wrasse jumped through the egg-crate and cooked on top of it.

 

[JHemdal]

Matt - that was a pretty mild rant, come on, I bet you can do better if you really try!

Here is my quote about jumping fish:

“Any fish will jump out of an aquarium under some circumstances and some fish will jump out of an aquarium under any circumstances”. The corollary to this is; “The chance of this happening is always inversely proportional to the value of the animal”.


Jay

 

[SDguy]

Oh Matt, such a horrible memory

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I've been in the hobby for several years, and I have experience in a university mariculture lab as well as a LFS. Off hand, seahorses are about the only fish I can think of that I havent seen lost to jumping.

IMO, open top tanks are irresponsible. We have taken these fish into captivity and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to keep them alive. I love the look, but they are really only appropriate for frag tanks or coral/clam display tanks.

 

[snorvich]

Here is my quote about jumping fish:

"œAny fish will jump out of an aquarium under some circumstances and some fish will jump out of an aquarium under any circumstances". The corollary to this is; "œThe chance of this happening is always inversely proportional to the value of the animal".

Jay

Amen. I have never seen it said better! :lol2:

 

[Fin Mike]

Dear Lord the sadness and despair I would feel if I came home to see my Regal dead on the floor. Miller Lite alternated by Jim Beam with an aggressive consumption schedule would have to be the temporary solution to that issue. Long term: I guess I would just have to buy a new one and learn my lesson.:furious:

 

[tony varrell]

To what extent does it effect your lighting? Does it cast shadows in the tank ?

 

[Yogre]

To what extent does it effect your lighting? Does it cast shadows in the tank ?

The 1/4" mesh that I use over my tank has no impact that I can see. I don't have a PAR meter, but I doubt there would be much impact there, either.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Matt-

Nail. Head. You.

I get it that "rimless" tanks are the nouveau thing, but I will NEVER understand why people will so WILLINGLY put their livestock in harms way by doing so. We have NO IDEA why fish jump. They just do. And anyone who is willing to risk their animals lives for a conceptual image should reconsider their position in this hobby too. I like the looks of anthias and lionfish, but it is a stupid combination.

 

[Ian]

I own a rimless aquarium and the first top I made was inset inside the opening but I found that to be flimsy, also, when you pull the mesh tight, the frame bows to the point that a fish can jump out.

I ordered some 1" 90* fiberglass stock and fabricated a 'rim' for the tank where window screen aluminum inset into it so it's got a tight seal around the rim of the aquarium and the mesh is removable should I accidently rip/cut it. It doesn't look as clean with it but if it'll help my fish to live long term, I'm fine with it

 

[bradleyj]

It looks pretty clean to me Ian.