How to eel proof a biocube

Warthur · May 29, 2017

Hey guys,
I am getting my 30 gallon cube ready for a golden dwarf moray eel that I am planning on purchasing and wanted advice from people who have had eels as to how to eel proof the tank. I know that it is a biocube, but the eel could still get into the back filtration and possibly climb out. Any advice?

LBehr · May 29, 2017

I had a buddy who kept a snowflake in his without doing anything special. I think if there is a good cave for him it shouldn't matter. I would definitely leave top on. If you're worried I would just put that clear plastic netting stuff over openings

lion king · May 30, 2017

People somehow think that an eel knows not to squeeze through a crevice at the top and end up on the floor; like they know the floor is on the other side. Their nature is to explore, hunt, and squeeze between rocks and such; they are usually nocturnal and alot of times you never see how active they really are. I would cut a thin piece of plastic and superglue it to the upper back wall to close up that gap. In a biocube he will only end up in the back chambers, but it could be a pita to retrieve him.

rockhead51 · May 30, 2017

InTank (I think) makes a guard that you snap on the top of the divider. Might have to reinforce it with silicone for a moray...

Warthur · May 30, 2017

could I prevent him from reaching the back chambers by putting a 1/8'' net over the overflow? Would that hamper it working? Also the cube that I have has a hole about 2 inches by 1 inch for feeding that I will need to cover up (custom as my friend builds tanks), would the super glue be a problem on the inside? If so what can I use?

LBehr · May 30, 2017

If you can remove it and give proper dry time silicon is probably best. I use cyanoacrylate superglue to glue frags all the time so it shouldn't hurt water if that's what you choose.

Warthur · May 30, 2017

im guessing my lfs will have that... ill take a look today

LBehr · May 30, 2017

If you look the main ingredient in reef glue and regular cheap super glue is cyanoacrylate. That is reef safe and will harden pretty good underwater.

salty joe · May 30, 2017

If that's the dwarf golden eel I looked up, it gets 2' long which would be a tight fit in a 30 gal. Anyway, I kept a snowflake for 11 years until it squeezed through a ridiculously small opening. Much too small for the eel to get through, or so I thought.

Like the others said, cover the tank real well and bear in mind eels are deceptively strong. Also, mine would get extra rowdy when it was hungry-that's when it got out.

Warthur · May 30, 2017

2' had no idea they got that big, largest one ive heard of was 15''. Guess Ill have to stock accordingly. will coral epoxy work to glue down netting to the area around the overflow? Im planning on covering it with 2 layers to be sure

CalebWBrink2000 · May 30, 2017

Warthur said:
2' had no idea they got that big, largest one ive heard of was 15''. Guess Ill have to stock accordingly. will coral epoxy work to glue down netting to the area around the overflow? Im planning on covering it with 2 layers to be sure

I keep seeing this mishap. There is a Golden Moray Eel, which gets 2', and a Dwarf Golden Moray Eel, which stays around 10-15 inches.

salty joe · May 31, 2017

CalebWBrink2000 said:
I keep seeing this mishap. There is a Golden Moray Eel, which gets 2', and a Dwarf Golden Moray Eel, which stays around 10-15 inches.

Thanks for that clarification.

LbulletM · May 31, 2017

CalebWBrink2000 said:
I keep seeing this mishap. There is a Golden Moray Eel, which gets 2', and a Dwarf Golden Moray Eel, which stays around 10-15 inches.

Sounds like a teacup pig situation to me. Gotta trust your seller in this situation! (unless they look completely different and I'm just too lazy to search both of them right now)

Webslinger · May 31, 2017

The golden dwarf moray stays about 12". It is a reclusive eel that will not come out of his cave except at feeding. They don't swim around the tank like a snowflake eel, however they can get through very small openings as they can be as thin as a pencil. I would make sure that it is 100 % sealed. You could keep one happy in a 10 gallon tank.

Warthur · Jun 1, 2017

LbulletM said:
Sounds like a teacup pig situation to me. Gotta trust your seller in this situation! (unless they look completely different and I'm just too lazy to search both of them right now)

My seller is good, he's a diver in Hawaii. Don't think that golden morays are found there... South America only I believe. Here's the individual I bought from him... coming next week can't wait