Should I cover my tanks?

[Mabyboi]

Hey guys,

I've got a pair of clowns In a 24 gallon cube, I don't have a cover on It right now (reflects too much light?) and I've been reading horror stories of people's clowns jumping out?

Should I be covering my tank? Even with a mesh cover? Or is it so unlikely I shouldn't bother? Is it more common with other fish In the tank that could chase the clowns?

 

[kozyreef]

I have kept open tanks, My Clowns have never been jumpers. They wont even leave there bubble tip. I think you should be okay.

 

[LAKEM0NSTER]

It wouldn't take much to get some sort of clear, mesh cover over your tank. It wouldn't block your light much, and it's worth it because when you do have a fish jump out, it SUUCKS!!!!!

 

[rssjsb]

Just to keep things confusing, I cover all my tanks with bird netting. There may be some light loss, but it's worth the peace of mind. As you've noticed, clowns, like almost all other fish, can jump.

 

[Tmoriarty]

Ive had my clowns jump multiple times when they were sleeping in the corner, I however have like 6 inches of bracing all the way around the tank so they just had a hard head knock.

I would advise using some sort of non-obstructive netting or cover (some people have used eggcrate). I do not use a cover but only because I have a large section of the edges covered in bracing.

 

[SKurj]

I made custom screens with frame pieces and corners from Home Depot and the 1/4" clear mesh BRS sells. I don't want to chance losing any fish.

 

[globe]

I just lost one of my clowns to carpet surfing and my tank is 90% covered. Its definitely something that can happen.

 

[BonsaiNut]

Over the years I have lost many fish to jumping. Eurobracing cuts down on losses, but does not eliminate them. You DO NOT want to enclose the top of your tank (for example with glass panes) because you will suffocate the tank. I think the best solution is to buy clear fish netting (like for minnows) and mount it on a light frame. Bird netting is a little thicker (and black versus clear) but it accomplishes the same thing.

 

[jt_milstead]

I have lost clowns to carpet surfing. I cover all my tanks with pond netting, and screen frame kit from Home Depot.

 

[05f150fx4]

Yes you should cover the tank with netting. I lost one of my snowflakes two weeks ago to hardwood floor surfing. (He found the one opening in the cover where the powerhead cord went through.)

 

[snorvich]

Over the years I have lost many fish to jumping. Eurobracing cuts down on losses, but does not eliminate them. You DO NOT want to enclose the top of your tank (for example with glass panes) because you will suffocate the tank. I think the best solution is to buy clear fish netting (like for minnows) and mount it on a light frame. Bird netting is a little thicker (and black versus clear) but it accomplishes the same thing.

This. All fish can jump. Many fish will eventually do so.

 

[Mabyboi]

Wow, well alright then guys it looks like I'm going to home depot! Thanks for the input!

 

[SKurj]

Here's what I did... stole the idea from someone on these forums:

 

[Mabyboi]

Ooooh i do like that... this is what im doing for now until i can think of something better to mount it with.

 

[Matt1351]

Use some.egg crate.

 

[SKurj]

Ideally you want 1/4 mesh unless your fish are large. A smaller fish may still get through anything much bigger.

My hoeven's wrasse tested my eggcrate its second day in the tank as i was trying to photograph him, and he hit it pretty hard.

 

[husslr187]

to whom it may concern: eggcrate is also called light diffuser. how much it affects you lighting performance depends on how thick it is.

 

[Suboc]

Bulk reef supply sells the mesh that you need.

 

[snorvich]

Use some.egg crate.

Sorry, egg crate will not keep fish in.