Will Jumpers Always Jump?

[Kengar]

Before I spend the money for a net covering and the money for a fairy wrasse (Scott's or Lineatus or rhomboidalis), I was wondering whether anyone has had "jumpers" long term that haven't jumped where the tank is not overcrowded and other tankmates are fairly mellow. Firefish in this category, too.

Tank is a 7-footer, there's a good bit of rock with lots of places (and substrate) to hide, and there are only 7 fish in there now (pair of clowns in a RBT 'nem, a desjardini tang (most assertive of the bunch), orange spotted goby, bullet goby (A. phalanea), falco hawkfish, and a lawnmower blenny -- so pretty mellow group)

Other than the wrasse, I really only plan to add a goldflake angel and a few other "scooters" (mandarin, rainford goby, hector's goby, etc.) or a jawfish or two.

I realize that this is a your-mileage-may-vary question, and there could always be a risk. I just want to see whether there are any "data points" out there that might indicate I could get away without the cover given my configuration.

it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

Thanks.

 

[S2G]

You're playing with fire with an open top. I think it's just a matter of when something jumps

 

[motortrendz]

Jumpers will always jump
.. eventually.... I hear mine bounce off my canopy atleast once a day and splash back Into the water.

 

[Leadfooted]

When in doubt lol!

(Waiting for my lid to arrive)

 

[Hallowhead]

When in doubt lol!

(Waiting for my lid to arrive)

Did you order a custom one? Or? I am looking for one for my 34 gallon deep blue frag tank

 

[Kengar]

for those who have posted so far, are your tanks fairly understocked? open? non-aggressive tankmates?

btw, it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

 

[Hallowhead]

for those who have posted so far, are your tanks fairly understocked? open? non-aggressive tankmates?

btw, it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

I have a 30 gallon IM tank with a lid and I have still lost two fish to jumping somehow... fish will always jump. A lid can help significantly

 

[Eva Rose]

for those who have posted so far, are your tanks fairly understocked? open? non-aggressive tankmates?

btw, it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Will jumpers always jump? Eventually yes.

 

[Leadfooted]

Did you order a custom one? Or? I am looking for one for my 34 gallon deep blue frag tank

I ordered a DIY kit from BRS and the black mesh netting. I'll use this as a temp until Octo Aquatics or anyone else starts offering black mesh. I prefer quality and an access door for the long term.

 

[Eva Rose]

Agree with other posters. I have always had peaceful tanks. My tank is large & the fish are very calm normallly. Even when I choose wrasse, I selected the most peaceful ones. But jumping occurs & not just with species known for it like a wrasse. No matter what your tank conditions, fish can be startled - by a child running by, load noise etc.

I recommend screens. They “give” when a fish jumps so they are not hitting as hard a surface as an acrylic top. When fish jump they hit a lid with a lot of force, so I like the screens. Plus they are cheap and easy to make. I used regular window screens set in a frame. For a nice look you can buy the screen material and put in a screen frame. If your tank is large, use more than one. They are easily cleaned. Just give a quick rinse in shower, then wipe with towel and put back in place.

As for food access doorway that can be incorporated into a screen top too. I have not done that but you or a friend that is handy could figure how to put one in place. I just use 2 screens and slide one back as I feed, then slide it back in place.

Especially with expensive gorgeous wrasse you do need a top. But I keep them on tanks with any fish inhabitants. You will hear wrasse hit the water surface or top several times a week.

 

[lpsouth1978]

I ordered a DIY kit from BRS and the black mesh netting. I'll use this as a temp until Octo Aquatics or anyone else starts offering black mesh. I prefer quality and an access door for the long term.

I have an Octolid on my Waterbox 230.6 and am fairly happy with it. The only complaint I have is that the feed "door" Broke after just a few weeks. The acrylic piece that holds the hinge on the lid snapped. This is definitely a weak point. I would have preferred a non-hinged feed door. One that you just lift off to feed the fish. I may eventually try ordering another lid from someone else, but for now it is working.

I will never have a tank without a lid of some sort. I had a Spotted Mandarin Goby (not known to be jumpers) go carpet surfing once. He was the only fish in the tank and there was only one small spot where the lid did not cover the tank, and still he found his way to the floor. ALL fish are potential jumpers, and without a good lid, fish will be lost.

 

[ReefEngr]

Even non-jumpers can jump.... like my show size blue throat trigger, clownfish and anthia

 

[doodledreads]

Almost all fish jump when they are threatened; and fish feel threatened very easily. I lost fish even with a lid on when I forgot to put back the feed door after feeding ;Sour

 

[BeejReef]

I realize it would be a fair bit more work, but if access is your concern, you might consider a canopy. You can then put the screen on top of the canopy and preserve easy access to the tank.

 

[S2G]

for those who have posted so far, are your tanks fairly understocked? open? non-aggressive tankmates?

btw, it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

I've spooked a puffer and it tried to go airborne if that tells you anything. Personally I use glass tops then fill in gaps with egg crate covered in uv resistant screen. I also use black sponge media around the top of overflows to fill in gaps.

Rimless your at the mercy of the screen top manufacturer, but I think you can request feeding ports

 

[Waters]

My tank has always been under-stocked and I lost several fish to jumping (fish that aren't even considered jumpers) before buying an acrylic top. I had the feed door built into it also. Once the food is dumped in, the pumps blow it around the whole tank anyways.

 

[doodledreads]

for those who have posted so far, are your tanks fairly understocked? open? non-aggressive tankmates?

btw, it's not that I don't want to spend the money for a cover (one of the higher-end acrylic ones), it's that I don't want to be restricted to introducing food in just the location of doorway I would have incorporated into it.

My tank is not overcrowded and I have had my fish, all of them very mellow, for a year now; I still hear splashes when they jump and hit the lid often.

Trust me, I would love to not have the lid and be able to look at the tank top down. So much easier feeding my corals when ever I want and it looks way better with out the lid. However, I cannot put my fish at risk just for the sake of my convenience and aesthetic preference.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Sorry to piggy-back, but any recommendations for a solid (non-net) clear top that won’t look terrible for a RSR Max Nano?

 

[doodledreads]

Sorry to piggy-back, but any recommendations for a solid (non-net) clear top that won’t look terrible for a RSR Max Nano?

I have the Clearview lid by Artfully Acrylic for my RSR Nano. I have had it since late 2017 and it is still very sturdy. I have also heard good things about Octolids.