Lid or no lid?

MrsDragon · Jul 30, 2014

With my FW tanks I have always had cover glass or a hood on the tanks - stops fish from jumping out to chase the cat and reduces evaporation. In looking up information on what sort of fish would be good for my new tank I read that some are jumpers and need a cover on the tank. I also read in another article that glass inhibits/blocks the UV light waves and that's why you shouldn't have it on reptile tanks or marine tanks. As I am a newbie, can someone explain this to help me understand? Thanks.

Texas Reefer · Jul 30, 2014

Mesh lids! [emoji3]
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diy-aquarium-screen-top-kits-1-4-netting-1.html
Here's mine

ThaBeast · Jul 30, 2014

Plus 1 mesh screen from BRS....I ordered the screen and got the frame stuff at Lowes

Reefing Madness · Jul 30, 2014

Egg Crate from Home Depot or Lowes. No lids, better heat and gas exchange.

Texas Reefer · Jul 30, 2014

But doesn't egg crate absorb more light?

jwebber974 · Jul 30, 2014

I have the BRS screen and it work's great.

racin2438 · Jul 30, 2014

We use mesh screen from BRS,

I would think that egg crate would defuse to much light....

Preyou · Jul 30, 2014

Or you could just lower the water level in your display by a half inch and stay away from fish known to jump.... I run an open top on my 110 and have only had one jumper since I set it up.

stunreefer · Jul 31, 2014

Preyou said:
Or you could just lower the water level in your display by a half inch and stay away from fish known to jump.... I run an open top on my 110 and have only had one jumper since I set it up.

Please do not give this advice, particularly to someone outrightly saying they're new to the hobby. Almost all fish can be jumpers. They jump when they're startled. Could be a something turning on (light, pump, etc.), someone walking passed the tank, or even spooked by a tankmate. There's so many things that could cause a fish to jump it's mind boggling, and even dropping the water level six inches won't prevent most from skyrocketing out of the aquarium.

These fish have traveled an incredible distance and against all odds during the most stressful time of their lives they end up in our hands. The least we can do is cover the aquarium to prevent jumping.