New Jumper! Need Help Selecting a Tank Cover!

[AKL1950]

Well, this morning I had a new jumper. Third one in five months. This time a $350 Angelfish. Fortunately. I was sitting close to the tank, saw it happen and got it back in the tank immediately. Hopefully it will survive the incident.

I was not wanting to get a cover, but looks like I’m going to have to do it. Need some suggestions on some good options to look at. Not worried about the cost. so a really nice and functional one that’s easily managed for cleaning the tank often and won’t restrict the lights too bad. I’ve got four Radion XR 30s, so I can up the intensity if needed.

Jetson

 

[TLO45]

ClearView Lids - Custom Aquarium Lids - Made in the USA

CNC-machined polycarbonate aquarium lids built to fit Red Sea, Waterbox, IM, and 300+ more tanks. Stop losing fish. Free shipping. Made in the USA.

www.clearviewlids.com

Premium Aquarium Lids & Fish Tank Tops - Shop Top Lids Today

Premium polycarbonate aquarium lids & fish tank lids built to fit your tank. Stop jumping fish and reduce evaporation. Shop aquarium tops from Top Lids today.

toplids.com

Or you can make your own from kits from BRS

 

[TheReefDiary]

Yep pretty much what above said. Top lids or you can make your own.

 

[Cell]

@Kraken Reef lids are top notch. Superior design compared to its competitors, imo.

 

[AKL1950]

I’ve read that plastic/glass/acrylic covers build up heat and are hard to clean. Is this true?

I have the four Radion XR 30s that are mounted with their brackets on the back of the tank. Really need a custom build to fit around those brackets.

 

[mfinn]

I tried a number of different tank lids from the expensive polycarbonate to several diy's.
My favorite is the DD Jumpguard. This is something you have to build yourself.
To make it as sturdy as possible and functional, I went with 2 separate kits for a 6' long tank with extra center bracing.

 

[Goodersgold]

+ 1 for the DD Jumpguard kits

 

[albano]

Home Depot DIY screen window kit with 1/4” mesh top…been using for many, many years without problems

 

[doubleshot00]

+ 1 for the DD Jumpguard kits

Especially if you have to see it.

 

[Cell]

I’ve read that plastic/glass/acrylic covers build up heat and are hard to clean. Is this true?

I have the four Radion XR 30s that are mounted with their brackets on the back of the tank. Really need a custom build to fit around those brackets.

A full cover of any material will build up heat. They aren't really hard to clean though. The lids you are looking at are likely plastic edges with mesh netting, so heat is not an issue.

 

[tydeck]

Mine is super simple and cheap to make. Maybe $10 total.

I found a broken piece of light diffuser at Home Depot. Cut it to fit. Added some lid lifters I got on easy for a couple of bucks. Painted it black.



Not the prettiest lid, and I was planning on a nicer one. But it looks ok imo.

 

[albano]

Mine is super simple and cheap to make. Maybe $10 total.

I found a broken piece of light diffuser at Home Depot. Cut it to fit. Added some lid lifters I got on easy for a couple of bucks. Painted it black.



Not the prettiest lid, and I was planning on a nicer one. But it looks ok imo.

Most fairy and flasher wrasses can jump right thru egg crate.

 

[Jared Bryant]

Toplids are great. Spendy but great. I just rinse mine off in the bathtub once a month.

 

[tydeck]

Most fairy and flasher wrasses can jump right thru egg crate.

Thanks for the info. I have a 6 line in my tank. All by himself. He killed a couple of fish but I live his personality. No issues with him getting out

On my new IM 15 gallon. I’m getting the IM lid for it.

 

[Goodersgold]

IMO Wrasses are A**holes !!

 

[AKL1950]

Home Depot DIY screen window kit with 1/4” mesh top…been using for many, many years without problems

Albano, can you show me some pictures of the corners and back area. I’m going to have to do several cut outs for the light fixture mounts and overflow in the back. Also, my tank is rimless, so I’ll have to try and get some lid clips to have it sit flush with the glass rim.

Mine is super simple and cheap to make. Maybe $10 total.

I found a broken piece of light diffuser at Home Depot. Cut it to fit. Added some lid lifters I got on easy for a couple of bucks. Painted it black.



Not the prettiest lid, and I was planning on a nicer one. But it looks ok imo.

Lol! This is my temporary fix. 1/4” egg crate sitting on top.

I tried a number of different tank lids from the expensive polycarbonate to several diy's.
My favorite is the DD Jumpguard. This is something you have to build yourself.
To make it as sturdy as possible and functional, I went with 2 separate kits for a 6' long tank with extra center bracing.

I’ll check out the DD Jumpguard. I’m going to have o make several modifications to the back edge for the lights and overflow. Got to find the best option that won’t look like crappy southern engineering.

 

[RichReef]

I had never wanted a lid or had any desire to put one on. Thought they were obnoxious. In 10 years of having a saltwater tank (36x24x24) I never had a fish jump out and had known jumpers. I switched to a temporary 55 gallon to renovate my TV room and then ..... lost 4 fish to jumping. So not liking obnoxious looking lids I went with a Top Lids minimal. I am very happy with it considering my reservations to buying or using a lid. If you want a close up look at it you can check my recent posts on my build thread.

I was a hardcore, ignorant, naysayer to lids who shamefully learned my lesson the hard way.

 

[nothing_fancy]

Same here, didn't like the look of a lid, had a wrasse for a couple years no problems till he finally launched. I thought it got swallowed up by CUC until months later when I was cleaning the floor behind my tank and found its mummified remains, very nasty. If you don't like the look of a lid I found the KrakenReef lids to be the most low profile, really happy with the purchase.

 

[MySonWantedAHamster]

Others have mentioned DD Jumpguards - For me I thought it was a good balance of price, aesthetics, and easy to work with/assemble. I have a couple of cutouts for my lights and had to account for the internal overflow. Use a miter saw to make it a much easier process. They're made for rimless tanks so they're recessed to sit below the rim. The only gripe I had was that the screens come folded rather than rolled.

Here's a straight forward view with it sitting on the tank

 

[AKL1950]

Problem solved. Screen is in place. I decided to make a door on the front of the lid that I could flip up to feed and get my stuff in the tank for cleaning, adjusting thinks, etc. It was a little tricky making the cut outs for the light fixture bases, but came out pretty good for my first attempt with building a screen. its been up for a day now and fish don’t seem to mind it. I positioned the braces so they wouldn’t interfere with the lights. No more jumpers! Now, I have to watch the tank temperature and see if it causes a rise. My HVAC is set 69-75 degrees. Tank has always been stable at 79-80 degrees. We’ll see.