Rimless problems

[reef_mini]

Hello,
So I'm thinking I might switch to a rimless tank, but want to know what issues I'll be facing before I take the plunge.

What problems are exacerbated by, or unique to, rimless tanks?

I live in quite a cold area, do you think all the evaporation would cause my furniture to be damp?

Thanks

 

[eros]

1. No potential jumpers

 

[pammy]

Hello Reef_Mini. I have a 53 gallon Rimless tank (Elos) that I've had set up for 2.5 years. The only thing I don't like about the rimless tanks, is that it limits your options to what kind of fish you can have because they can jump. And to me, covering up the tank with netting of some kind to keep fish from jumping, defeats the purpose of having a rimless tank....the clean beauty of it. Since I only have a 53 gallon tank, that also limits what I can put in for fish....so kind of a double whammy on fish limitations. I think wrasses are gorgeous but they are no-no's for me because they are notorious jumpers. I think the two wrasses that are exceptions (of course any fish can jump, even if they aren't known jumpers) are the Pygmy Possum Wrasses and the Six Line wrasses. I've lost a few fish due to jumping.... a red fire fish and a purple firefish. I thought I should keep away from them but my LFS told me they had one in their rimless tanks for a couple years and they never jumped. I had each one for 6 months, and then they jumped. I also lost a Orchid Dotty back that jumped, after I had him for about a year. And the last fish I lost to jumping was a Longnose Hawkfish. Had him for about a year before he jumped and had another one for a year that didn't jump, but died during a 3 day power outage during an ice storm.

You asked about humidity.... I also live in a very cold area...New Hampshire. I have no problem with humidity in my house causing the furniture to be damp. I'm very picky and if my rimless tank caused damp furniture, I'd be closing it up in a hurry ! If anything, my house is super dry in the winter because of the heat, and the fish tank probably helps with that because it adds needed humidity. One bonus with a rimless tank, besides the beauty, is that I don't get any salt creep around a hood. It also helps keep the tank cooler in the hot months, and it's great for oxygen exchange and keeping your PH higher. You can see my tank at the following link:
http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa157/matsis1234/?action=view&current=32fa6803.pbw
Pam

 

[davocean]

The only real bummer for me is water splashes out easy when cleaning glass.
I have a net top that is inset to stop jumpers.
Oh, and I used to have powerbrights sitting on glass brace, that's no longer an option.
But they sure do look nifty!

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I you go truly rimless, it really limits your fish selection. A lot of groups of fish will jump sooner or later, and I know I wouldnt be comfortable having any expensive fish in there knowing they could be on the floor the next morning...

 

[sedor]

I don't have a rimless but I run my tank with an open top and don't have a whole lot of problems with jumpers. I wouldn't let that hold you back from getting a rimless tank, they truly are beautiful!

 

[NaH2Ofreak]

"open top" and "rimless" are two totally different things when talking about fish jumping. Even a very small "euro brace" stops a lot of jumpers. Truly rimless, is carpet surfing nirvana.

Dennis

 

[reef_mini]

Thanks for all the responses!
Pammy your tank is lovely, I decided to go rimless because of the Elos tanks. Too bad they cost almost twice the price here compared with the US. As if they weren't expensive enough already!

So none of you have had problems with humidity etc.? I guess that may be more of an issue with very large tanks and small rooms.

What are some good small fish that are relatively unlikely to jump? I'm looking for fish that can be kept in a 35~40 gallon tank.
How are flame angels and clowns when it comes to jumping? I really don't want to have to give them away if I do make the move to a open top tank.

Thanks!

 

[luther1200]

"open top" and "rimless" are two totally different things when talking about fish jumping. Even a very small "euro brace" stops a lot of jumpers. Truly rimless, is carpet surfing nirvana.

Dennis

I think that may be a bit of a stretch. I doubt a 1" lip around the outside is going to stop most of the fish that jump. If 95% of the top is open you have a 95% chance of the fish that jump will make it out. With a rimless 100% will make it out. There are plenty of open top tank people with the same problem.

 

[tylorarm]

I haven't found the open top/ rimless to be that big an issue regarding fish sticks. I lost one fish last week though, a banana fish, to jumping. However, when i had a canopy i also lost one fish to jumping, a blue-throat trigger. I have a few wrasses too, including a yellow and a mystery, both bonafide jumpers. I think the added depth of my tank, 28" vs 24", low rock profile (rocks don't get as close to surface), central island rocks (rocks don't go so close to sides), and about 2" from water to top of glass (my canopy tank had less clearance) as contributing factors. Also i don't have any bullies, which are great contributors to jumping. Or maybe i've just been lucky so far.

 

[Veosk]

no snails they will crawl out. maybe not, i am thinking of a zero edge

 

[reef_mini]

Ok so any advice on what small fish I can keep? Tank will be between 35~40 gallons

Thanks

 

[Luckylouse]

The only real bummer for me is water splashes out easy when cleaning glass.
I have a net top that is inset to stop jumpers.
Oh, and I used to have powerbrights sitting on glass brace, that's no longer an option.
But they sure do look nifty!

Why can't you use the Powerbrites? Because of the net?

 

[magikfly]

no snails they will crawl out. maybe not, i am thinking of a zero edge

Actually, they DO crawl out. Not that it's a problem though.
What REALLY sucks is mopping up water that splashes out when cleaning the glass.
I've become pretty skilled at using a mag float without even spilling one single drop.. :bounce2:

 

[tylorarm]

I use a razor scraper near the surface, mag float everywhere else. Not a big problem in my book, takes an extra minute or two that's all. Although humidity higher, heat and O2 exchange much better. I have no chiller and no fans on my DT, only fans on my sump. Very few snails have crawled out, maybe one or two. Way way easier to muck around in the tank, for better or worse.

 

[davocean]

Why can't you use the Powerbrites? Because of the net?

No, there's no longer the brace to set them on like I used to.
I suppose I could rig a bracket to my light fixture if I really wanted to use them.
The net top works great.
It's just a vinyl window screen kit from HD, and bird netting.
If you cut to inside the perimeter, and use clips, it's hardly noticeable at all, still get that nice rimless look.
Only bummer is it seems helfrichis love to jump, and can fit through 1/4"mesh apparently...ugh...
Lost a pair first week, think I'm done w/ those guys.

 

[davocean]

Actually, they DO crawl out. Not that it's a problem though.
What REALLY sucks is mopping up water that splashes out when cleaning the glass.
I've become pretty skilled at using a mag float without even spilling one single drop.. :bounce2:

Exactly, even being super careful water will usually splash when cleaning glass, especially near the top.
It also doesn't help that I have a vort on reefcrest mode, so while I have the blade near as it suddenly ramps up...
I personally haven't had snails crawl out, so far.

 

[Mike de Leon]

If you want clean, rimless is the way to go. Just make sure your water level will be two inches from the top when pumps are running. Life will be much easier.

<a href="http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/mookerji/?action=view&current=045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i21/mookerji/045.jpg" border="0" alt="rimless"></a>

 

[reef_mini]

very nice looking tank Mike de Leon!

 

[Mike de Leon]

Well thank you!