Questions about Lids and jumpers

[kpl_creations]

What do folks do about lids for larger tanks with overflows and returns? Glass, Lexan, Net?

Our 210gal tank came with 3 glass lids but because we have an overflow box on the end ( Peninsula layout tank ), the lid won't fit on that side, and won't fit on the far end because of the returns.

We've been running with no lids, but this morning we found our 2 day old Tiger Goby on the floor. I feel really bad about it as I heard they could jump but he had been just hiding and I didn't think he would jump out of a 36" tall tank. But it's on me for not taking care of his home first.

A glass company wanted $130 to make the cutouts which I thought was excessive.

Won't the glass/lexan get dirty and affect the lights?

If a Goby/Other goes to jump out, but bangs into a glass lid, wouldn't that hurt them? Or are they a little smarter than that?

Any info/help would be appreciated.

 

[Reef.]

Seat belts hurt when used in an accident but the alternative to not wearing one...

add in the price of the animal, $130 doesn’t sound that bad for a lid that fits.

 

[Katrina71]

@cromag27 makes beautiful tops. Why not send him a pic? He can accommodate anything on your tank!

 

[artieg1]

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

Best money I ever spent in this hobby. Custom made lids.

 

[GreatSouth BayReefs]

Id say custom glass lids would be best, but if you dont have the funding for it right now, its super easy to build your own netted lids. Can purchase a huge piece of clear 1/4 inch pond netting for about $10 from amazon. Then get screen window frames from home depot about $6 for a 6 foot piece, the corner pieces, and some of the screen spine. Takes maybe a hour or two to assemble. There are many write ups on the exact steps but its mostly common sense.

 

[kpl_creations]

Seat belts hurt when used in an accident but the alternative to not wearing one...

add in the price of the animal, $130 doesn’t sound that bad for a lid that fits.

I don't have a problem spending the money for it, but I wanted to see if it was actually the best approach or if there were better alternatives before we did something.

 

[kpl_creations]

How tightly do folks make the lids fit? How small of a space would a Goby fit through?

 

[Reef.]

I don't have a problem spending the money for it, but I wanted to see if it was actually the best approach or if there were better alternatives before we did something.

You said it sounded excessive, I was just pointing out I don’t think it is when considering everything, remember with a glass lid, you will save on heating, and also evaporation, so less top ups, depending on the size of the tank, even if small, it’s not a lot of money when you consider the guy doing the cutting has to factor in breakages.

That is if you go with glass, there or other options and they could work out cheaper.

 

[Retro Reefer]

just remember glass lids will reduce gas exchange, reduce PAR, cause salt creep and need to be cleaned frequently.

 

[NatD]

@cromag27 makes beautiful tops. Why not send him a pic? He can accommodate anything on your tank!

He really does.

@kpl_creations Click my build thread button and jump to page 2 to see the custom lid he made for my tank — it’s almost as big as yours.

 

[Peace River]

How tightly do folks make the lids fit? How small of a space would a Goby fit through?

Based on my experience, the more expensive the fish, the smaller the hole that it will fit through!

 

[symon_say]

Glass lids are high maintenance, you should add cleaning to your schedule.