To lid, or not to lid...

[Anonymous]

I have a problem: I have a glass versa-top for my 29G, but the lighting fixture I got wont let me lift the freaking thing up and open when its on there because of the "light stilts"!!!! :x GRRRR
What do I do now? I wanted to get certain types of fish that, to quote, "like to jump". Would they really try it? When would they jump, if they must jump so? Why must they JUMP!?!?
Consequently, does anyone know a good, solid, quick, cheap fix; I know what the hard, expensive, delayed, solid fix is: buy different stuff. Again. I will not be this industry's economic plaything! :x
Im just wondering; who makes a top that wont open when theres a lighting fixture sitting on top of tank? Whos stroke of brilliance was that?
All Im really asking here is if you guys think I could get away without a lid and not have to deal with dare-devil, kamikaze fish...?
Any help is graciously appreciated!

 

[Mikef1]

i wouldnt worry about it inless you have triggers or an eel

 

[silly34]

I've wrestled with this, still am. I am concerned that if I remove my glass tops that my lights will get salt and calcium mess all over them. Currently the glass intercepts all of it.

B.

 

[Mikef1]

I would go ahead and remove it. Salt wont hurt your bulbs you just need to wipe them off every now and then. Plus it does intercept salt from getting on them but ut also interceots light passing through

 

[Anonymous]

A lot of fish jump out, trust me! What do you have, fish-wise?

One thing you can do is make a screen, out of egg crate or window screen material. It will cut down on light transmission somewhat, but then so does glass.

Or maybe you could build some kind of wood collar around the edge of the tank that would prevent fish from jumping out.

 

[Anonymous]

It's amazing what fish will jump out, even those that aren't known for jumping. Normally after lights out or lights on, they'll jump.
As stated in previous answers egg crate will help somewhat, screening also but they do cut down on light.
The safest protection is a glass top but as you've found out it's a pain. The only other solution is a different lighting system such as a pendant.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

you can make a mesh deal or better yet get one that was made for a reptile cage...i currently have a canopy with an open back to it...nothing to my knowledge has jumped out...it can be hit or miss but personally i dont like the covered deal...i like canopies or pendants....

 

[fredso2003]

:lol: Just educate your fish ahead of time about the dangers associated with jumping out of the water,after one jumps the other ones will most likely learn from his fatal mistake and not follow suite! :lol:

Seriously the screen or mesh is not a bad idea,I have had a few jumpers in my time and the screen took care of the kamikaze suicide's!

 

[Anonymous]

fish take "thinking outside the box" litterally! :?

 

[shark0105]

Another option would be for you to get into the DIY community and
modify your current cover, go to HomeDepot, they carry 1/8" acrylic stock
that anyone with a Dremel Tool can modify into anything you want.
I have lost some of my favorite fish to jumping "incidents".
My Jawfish jumped and that was to much, loved that little guy.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! Im gonna try the DIY stuff first, then look at finding a reptile mesh-thing that either works from the start or is modifiable, if all else fails.
By the way, anyone know the best way to switch to pendants (MH) and adress the same problem? I suppose I could use the regualr glass top, but Im owrried about light reflection and wasted light... Just a thought...

 

[Clownkeeper]

You dont need a top on it unless you have eels, triggers or wrasses. they all tend to want out bad.

Troy