Best mesh top for clownfish

[Greenlady]

Hi,
I was wondering where I can buy or build my own safe mesh top for a 20 g peninsula aio tank. My larger clownfish gets excitable and tries to free willy out of the tank when startled at night. I just want to make sure before I transfer him over that he will be safe. I love the idea of open top but know him too well to trust that. My smaller clownfish doesn't jump at all and is extremely chill all the time. Is there anything I can do to make the bigger ome less scared of the dark?

 

[Big G]

I built my own mesh top with regular window screen frame material and 1/4" blue mesh sold at the nursery for protecting plants from birds.
Bulk Reef Supply also sells kits.

 

[Katrina71]

Hi,
I was wondering where I can buy or build my own safe mesh top for a 20 g peninsula aio tank. My larger clownfish gets excitable and tries to free willy out of the tank when startled at night. I just want to make sure before I transfer him over that he will be safe. I love the idea of open top but know him too well to trust that. My smaller clownfish doesn't jump at all and is extremely chill all the time. Is there anything I can do to make the bigger ome less scared of the dark?

@cromag27 makes the best!!!

 

[Greenlady]

I built my own mesh top with regular window screen frame material and 1/4" blue mesh sold at the nursery for protecting plants from birds.
Bulk Reef Supply also sells kits.

Do you have a rimless tank? Can you add a picture? I want it to be flush on top or on the edges inside but there isn't a lip to set it on

 

[Greenlady]

@cromag27 makes the best!!!

Right!!! I've been looking at meshes but how to lay it on it is confusing because it's rimless plus my bigger clownfish gets scared and bumps my glass lid I have now. I'm afraid to make it to light and he gets out.

 

[Big G]

Right!!! I've been looking at meshes but how to lay it on it is confusing because it's rimless plus my bigger clownfish gets scared and bumps my glass lid I have now. I'm afraid to make it to light and he gets out.

Some have had great success using velcro strips to hold down lids, screens, etc. for extra security for jumpers, eels, etc.

 

[Fred2482]

There are definitely options, different lid providers have different solutions to create a "lip".

 

[D-Nak]

I have a cover made by Clear View Lids (Artfully Acrylic). Here's the website:

https://www.clearviewlids.com/

It was a bit pricey, but for my tank (48" x 30" footprint) it fits perfectly and is made out of a single piece of polycarbonate without the need for a center support.

Do you have an anemone in the tank? I also have an anemone tank that is uncovered, as I've noticed that when host anemones are present, when the clownfish get spooked, they dive into the anemones instead of jumping.

 

[Greenlady]

Some have had great success using velcro strips to hold down lids, screens, etc. for extra security for jumpers, eels, etc.

I'm going to make my own screen for sure but that is a really helpful idea. My clownfish is the only one who jumps when the lights go out. He's huge and I definitely want it to be secure because he hits it hard.

 

[Greenlady]

I have a cover made by Clear View Lids (Artfully Acrylic). Here's the website:

https://www.clearviewlids.com/

It was a bit pricey, but for my tank (48" x 30" footprint) it fits perfectly and is made out of a single piece of polycarbonate without the need for a center support.

Do you have an anemone in the tank? I also have an anemone tank that is uncovered, as I've noticed that when host anemones are present, when the clownfish get spooked, they dive into the anemones instead of jumping.

Thank you. Those look exactly like what I'm wanting. I do not have an anemone yet. I started my tank a year ago and barely just got mushroom corals, kenya tree, and zoanthids. I didn't want to jump into anemone because I heard they are hard to keep alive. I've been waiting lol. I am currently cycling my new 20 gallon and I do want to get him an anemone. What type would be a good one for him? Also how do you get him to take to one?

 

[Greenlady]

There are definitely options, different lid providers have different solutions to create a "lip".

That looks easy enough. I kinda wish I could go open top but until I get that clownfish a anemone then I'll do the lid till then.

 

[Zionas]

Are Clownfish usually prolific jumpers in the same way as wrasses, gobies, Blennies and Firefish / Dartfish?

 

[OrionN]

Clownfish are not prone to jumping unless you choose to keep a group and they fight, or else started somehow. Low traffic helps, deliberate in your activity help, light dimming, and especially having a natural host really help. If clownfish sense danger they dive for the anemone instead of jump. I keep a lot of clowns in my 40+ years of keeping clowns and have maybe one or two times when a clown fish jump out.

Brace-less tank will need to have a specifically made acrylic framed net top to look nice. If you are anything like me in DIY, you will have an OK top. You will need to somehow provide a lip to attach or rest the top of the frame on. Easiest way to make a lid is using 1/4 inch net and window screen frame.

 

[Greenlady]

Are Clownfish usually prolific jumpers in the same way as wrasses, gobies, Blennies and Firefish / Dartfish?

Every forum website I've come across I've heard they are jumpers and someone always says water parameters are bad, they are fighting, they aren't happy etc etc as an excuse but mine is just afraid of light changes. He never hits the lid during the day because he likes to come up to the glass when I'm around to greet me but when I turn the light off they sleep at the top in a corner and either he gets scared and bonks once on the lid then thats it goes to sleep. The bigger one came with a smaller one paired so they don't fight ever, they get along very well. They let the current sweep them and play on it. He's sweet and such a big eater. I use a turkey baster to spot feed because one of my yellow tail damsels is shy but this big boy puts his face right up to the end trying to get the biggest pieces. Lol he's a trip. He only does it at night when I turn the light off. I think possible that my feisty yellow tail may be picking at him because he sleeps in the bottom same corner.