I think many here would agree that the proper quarantine procedure for fish, coral and inverts is essential to good husbandry.I personally use lids but I agree with what @Greybeard is trying to argue. Necessity/requirement isn't really the word to use for an optional accessory.
Everyone in here acting outraged about the lack of a cover being poor husbandry etc. I wonder if you'll be so adamant when judging your own (or others) practices (such as lack of quarantine of fish, coral, and inverts). Ich, velvet, and flukes are 1000x more deadly to fish than sky diving. It's easy to have morality when it's something easy and inexpensive right? As soon as it's time consuming and inconvenient it's a matter of choice or preference.
Yes I'm sure many would. But how many practice it?
It's easy to have morality when it's something easy and inexpensive right? As soon as it's time consuming and inconvenient it's a matter of choice or preference.
So is lack of quarantine, but the majority of people don't do it.
In terms of mortality rate sure. But in sheer numbers this is nonsense. You think more people lose fish to lack of lids than to ich, velvet, flukes, etc?
There is nothing inconvenient about covering a tank. That's the point. You're willing to say lids are a requirement because it's easy. I'm pointing out quarantine should absolutely be a requirement, but because it's time consuming and inconvenient all of the sudden it's personal choice or preference. The point is it's hypocrisy to act outraged about people not using lids but ignore the real issue with fish mortality in this hobby (which is orders of magnitude higher).
Why do you keep trying to move the goal posts of my original post? I use lids. I think lids are the responsible thing to do. I also fully quarantine everything I put in my tank. I'm not trying to argue one is more important than the other. I'm saying if you're justifying lids based on the possibility of a fish jumping and how it's irresponsible not to have a lid, surely you also quarantine all you fish, coral, and inverts. Because to do otherwise would be irresponsible. Right?
Well I guess you're right. I just think the semantics of this topic don't really justify requiring data points to be relevant. It's fairly obvious disease (and fish on carpet) ultimately occur because of owner laziness or ignorance. My position in this thread and discussion was meant to be that there is a very significant 'head in the sand' approach to quarantine but those same people will call out others on poor husbandry when it's something like a lid. It's like if you told someone they were a bad parent because they let their kid run with scissors meanwhile you didn't vaccinate your own kids. LolI agree. I'm not moving anybody's goalposts. I just think it's unfair to make baseless accusations. If you think you didn't do that, then you need to re-read your original post. Maybe it didn't read the way you intended.
Tenji is pleased to present a series of exclusive articles for Reef2Reef members. We will be delving into the various aspects of reef keeping, focusing on tried and true methods that can be implemented by aquarists of all levels.
_____________
As a young aquarist working in a local fish store I had a 16” lionfish launch itself out of a tank during feeding time. I quickly placed the fish back into his home, and after a couple hours, the animal returned to normal behavior. However, that event changed my views on the potential for fishes to jump forever. How often do we see threads titled, “Which fish for open top aquariums?” The truth is that every fish has the potential to jump, even the frumpy frogfish. Think of a top as a seat belt for your fish. If you’re serious about keeping your fish friends thriving long term a top is not optional, it is a necessity.
Choices for nice aquarium tops run far and wide nowadays, including some that even look great on rimless aquariums. Here are the basic options along with their pros and cons.
Glass/Acrylic Top Pros
· Readily available
· Oftentimes included with mass produced aquariums
· Affordable
· Keeps evaporation to a minimum
Glass/Acrylic Top Cons
· Water condenses which negatively effects light penetration
· Does not afford high levels of gas exchange
· Must be frequently cleaned
· Breakable (glass)
· Heavy (glass)
Eggcrate/Light Diffuser Top Pros
· Readily available
· Easy to alter shape/size
· Affordable
Eggcrate/Light Diffuser Top Cons
· Many small reef fish can jump through holes
· Breakable
· Becomes brittle over time
· Best used as a temporary top
· Uneven light distribution (it is used to diffuse fluorescent lighting after all)
Screen Top Pros
· Affords superior gas exchange
· Best light penetration option
· Rarely if ever requires cleaning
· Can be custom made to fit within rim of trim-less aquariums (looks beautiful)
· Capable of complimenting an aquarium rather than detracting
· DIY potential using store-bought material
Screen Top Cons
· Custom acrylic framed options can be expensive and have long lead times
· Screen can be fragile, but is easily replaced
· If screen hole not sized appropriately fish can get stuck
That’s our lowdown on tank top options. Of course, there are a few exceptions when it comes to aquariums with enclosed canopies, flip-up tops on all-in-one nano tanks, etc., but the fact remains that all fish have the potential to jump, so do them a favor and provide them with a safety net.
Tenji is pleased to present a series of exclusive articles for Reef2Reef members. We will be delving into the various aspects of reef keeping, focusing on tried and true methods that can be implemented by aquarists of all levels.
_____________
As a young aquarist working in a local fish store I had a 16” lionfish launch itself out of a tank during feeding time. I quickly placed the fish back into his home, and after a couple hours, the animal returned to normal behavior. However, that event changed my views on the potential for fishes to jump forever. How often do we see threads titled, “Which fish for open top aquariums?” The truth is that every fish has the potential to jump, even the frumpy frogfish. Think of a top as a seat belt for your fish. If you’re serious about keeping your fish friends thriving long term a top is not optional, it is a necessity.
Choices for nice aquarium tops run far and wide nowadays, including some that even look great on rimless aquariums. Here are the basic options along with their pros and cons.
Glass/Acrylic Top Pros
· Readily available
· Oftentimes included with mass produced aquariums
· Affordable
· Keeps evaporation to a minimum
Glass/Acrylic Top Cons
· Water condenses which negatively effects light penetration
· Does not afford high levels of gas exchange
· Must be frequently cleaned
· Breakable (glass)
· Heavy (glass)
Eggcrate/Light Diffuser Top Pros
· Readily available
· Easy to alter shape/size
· Affordable
Eggcrate/Light Diffuser Top Cons
· Many small reef fish can jump through holes
· Breakable
· Becomes brittle over time
· Best used as a temporary top
· Uneven light distribution (it is used to diffuse fluorescent lighting after all)
Screen Top Pros
· Affords superior gas exchange
· Best light penetration option
· Rarely if ever requires cleaning
· Can be custom made to fit within rim of trim-less aquariums (looks beautiful)
· Capable of complimenting an aquarium rather than detracting
· DIY potential using store-bought material
Screen Top Cons
· Custom acrylic framed options can be expensive and have long lead times
· Screen can be fragile, but is easily replaced
· If screen hole not sized appropriately fish can get stuck
That’s our lowdown on tank top options. Of course, there are a few exceptions when it comes to aquariums with enclosed canopies, flip-up tops on all-in-one nano tanks, etc., but the fact remains that all fish have the potential to jump, so do them a favor and provide them with a safety net.
This is a lid from safetop lids all gases escape
