Fish death by jumping......

[Nargard]

My 1st fish, a Semi Picasso Clown, leapt to her demise overnight after a mere week. She had acclimated nicely and was an awesome fish. Playing in the current, interactive, and will be missed. A few questions - 1. To lid or not to lid - I have a 22 gallon long that has a great look. A lid would suck. I plan on getting another Semi Picasso along with a Blenny and a Watchman. Maybe one more that I'm not sure of. Should I add a lid? 2. My lights have been on a week. Do I cut them until I get another fish or let the algae growing process (which is inevitable) continue? Thanks for any input.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Screen lid both effective and cost efficient

 

[N.Sreefer]

Definitely lid to avoid future jumping. Some of the mesh lids look really slick Innovative Marine Pro Series DIY Aquarium Mesh Screen Lid Kit

 

[Lowlandreef]

I agree on the screen lid. I have the Red Sea DIY one, and I think it looks fine. If it's integrated in the tank it doesn't take away from the aesthetic IMO.

 

[Jeffcb]

I had a Diamond goby go tile surfing already from my new tank. I think they are the worst at jumping.

For me a lid is a must. Clearveiw Lid ordered. 3 month waiting list for build time but worth it.

 

[CMMorgan]

+1 on the kid. Lights are ok to leave on. Just dim the lights when you bring in a new fish to acclimate.

 

[PanchoG]

Smaller fish tend to jump, the lid will bring you peace of mind. Just make sure to get a small grid. BRS has the smallest grid I believe.

 

[TnFishwater98]

I roll with no lid. I did lose 1 Blue/green chromis by jumping but I had 4 and heard they like to stay in odd numbers. I’ve got a 55 2 clowns, 3 blue green chromis, and a Target mandarin. I do have snails that slither out and I find on ground. I throw them back in the tank and they are fine. You do go through more top off but I enjoy the open top. Sorry bad pic, did it quickly no filters.
BD

 

[coralfishreef]

Yes to the screen lid.

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

Get a lid

 

[Azedenkae]

+1 to a lid. Any fish can jump, and especially once you grow attached to them, you don't want to find another dried up fish on the floor one day.

When I first entered the hobby everyone was going lidless and suggested that to me. I wish I had never listened because I had known fish were jumpers. Lo and behold my favourite clownfish jumped and was devastated.

Some people say if everything is right, fish will never jump.

That's not true. Something as simple as being startled can cause fish to launch in a general direction, and if that is upwards... yeah that can be bad. And that can have nothing to do with your aquarium parameters of any sort.

 

[Nargard]

Screen lid it is. Any suggestions? Mixed reviews on BRS screen lids. The goal is something compatible with a rimless tank, the screen mesh is tight with no wrinkles, and is aesthetically pleasing. Seems like a tall order. I appreciate all of the responses!

 

[homer1475]

BRS screen in black, and rimless tank clips. Home depot/lowes DIY screen kit. You don't even notice the screen on my rimless tank.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Screen lid it is. Any suggestions? Mixed reviews on BRS screen lids. The goal is something compatible with a rimless tank, the screen mesh is tight with no wrinkles, and is aesthetically pleasing. Seems like a tall order. I appreciate all of the responses!

I went with this for my IM Nuvo 40...and then realized I could have done the same thing with a window screen repair kit off of Amazon for thirty bucks. And that's what I did with my next one.

 

[Mike from TN]

I made mine out of a vinyl framed window screen. They disassemble very easily so they can be made into the size you need. I lost

a VERY WELL BEHAVED six lined wrasse to jumping. Broke my heart. After a week, I replaced him with a Diamond Goby. He jumped that night but I was able to save him. Built the cover the next day.
Here is a before and after of my “homemade “ screen top.

 

[Azedenkae]

I made mine out of a vinyl framed window screen. They disassemble very easily so they can be made into the size you need. I lost

a VERY WELL BEHAVED six lined wrasse to jumping. Broke my heart. After a week, I replaced him with a Diamond Goby. He jumped that night but I was able to save him. Built the cover the next day.
Here is a before and after of my “homemade “ screen top.

Sorry to hear about the loss of fish. Beautiful screen top though! Yeah that does look clean and fits nicely with the tank. I guess nothing ever beats no lids, but well, when one has to compromise this still looks great!

 

[Mike from TN]

Sorry to hear about the loss of fish. Beautiful screen top though! Yeah that does look clean and fits nicely with the tank. I guess nothing ever beats no lids, but well, when one has to compromise this still looks great!

Thank you! I had the screen left over from a window that I never used in my henhouse so the screen was free (kinda, I did buy the window). The screens can be purchased separately at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Took about an hour to make and paint. I had to make cutouts in the frame for wires to pass through and that caused it to twist when I re stretched the screen. I just clamped it down to a flat surface and added gussets to the corners. Lays perfectly flat now.

 

[Nargard]

I made mine out of a vinyl framed window screen. They disassemble very easily so they can be made into the size you need. I lost

a VERY WELL BEHAVED six lined wrasse to jumping. Broke my heart. After a week, I replaced him with a Diamond Goby. He jumped that night but I was able to save him. Built the cover the next day.
Here is a before and after of my “homemade “ screen top.

Any issues with rust? I like the look of that. The screen looks tight. A common complaint of the BRS DIY is that the mesh is difficult to get tight and you can see where it was folded during shipping. Thanks very much for sharing!

 

[Mike from TN]

Any issues with rust? I like the look of that. The screen looks tight. A common complaint of the BRS DIY is that the mesh is difficult to get tight and you can see where it was folded during shipping. Thanks very much for sharing!

No rust because there is absolutely no metal. The frame is vinyl and the actual screen is vinyl also. Once I cut the four sides of the frame (Dremmel with a cut off wheel), I just reused the original screen. It’s held in the channel with a rubber strip. You just start in the middle of each side and work your way to the corners to avoid bunching. If you pull the screen fairly tight, it will get even tighter when you use the rubber strip to push it into the channel, if that makes sense.
Probably some YouTube videos on how to rescreen.

 

[Mike from TN]

It also has VERY minimal impact on light transmission.