Open top tanks

[Rin]

I have just ordered an aqualine aquaspacelite (2 x 250 DE with moonlight). When it comes time for installation, I'm thinking maybe I might suspend the lights and keep the top of my tank open. But I'm concerned about my fish going carpet-surfing, esp. my wrasses.

Currently, I have a full hood on my 75. If not for the hood I would have lost both wrasses on several occasions. They just spook too easily. At least once a week, I come home to discover one or the other of them in the overflow box.

For those with open-top tanks, what have you done to your systems to prevent carpet-surfing?

Thanks,

[Ltspd]

Well the only fish I have lost has been due to carpet surfing. So far I have lost 3 total over a year period. I do not have anything on the top of the tank, nor will I. But, I have heard of people adding egg crate (light diffuser) to the tops of the tank to keep the jumpers in.

[eses]

I put the egg crate over mine, works well. I have a canopy over the tank though, if your going to have a fully open top you will notice the egg crate and it does detract from the appearance. If you were to find it in black, that wouldn't look too bad...but the white is obvious from across the room without a canopy on the tank.

I have also seen people make a "net" for the top of the tank using small diameter PVC and thin fishing line. The one I saw had a rectangle frame (sitting inside the inner lip of the tank) with line running side/side front/back making about 1/4" grating. Didn't look bad, but looked like a pain to make.

[Rin]

Yeah, I thought of the eggcrate. I'm not to jazzed about it either. It won't look too good and it'll prevent some light from getting in.

I might do something like eses mentioned though. It shouldn't be too hard. I just need to think it through a little bit. It'll be sort of like stringing a giant tennis racket over the tank. That might even solve the problem with fish going into the overflow box. It's a PITA getting them back out of there.

Thanks,

[Northman_with_reef]

I have a 40 gal reef with a YOUNG Coris formosa(I'm getting rid of him when I get my new tank up..) and I'm using the Aquastarlight 150W, But theres no cover and I've never lost a fish....

When I was at my local aquarium getting some saltwater, I saw the exact same thing Eses mentioned, and it seems too be working great.....

Thomas

[scubadude]

Or you could get some plexi and just make a border around the tank similiar to Euro bracing (permiter bracing) Im sure this wouldnt totally eliminate the chances of fish jumping out but im sure it would drastically decrease the chances.

[Rin]

I thought about that, too. I had the top off once when the wrasse jumped. He cleared an easy 2 feet over the tank. Going vertical seems to be a common thing for this one.

I've even seen him with a burn on his side from hitting the MH. (At least, I think that's what that was.) I came home and there he was with a big, white crusty-looking sore on his tail and the bulb was in 5 pieces on the bottom of the tank.

It'll be amazing if he lives another 6 months.

If I did string a 'rack' above the tank, he'd probably slice himself into several pieces.

[Northman_with_reef]

Maybe you should put a cover glass infront of the MH's And use the bracing Scubadude mentioned????

I think its a good idea..

[schrocat]

I'd go with the plex also.
though egg crate is more efficient, it just looks icky IMO

my tank is 100% open...I just don't stock known jumpers.

[Ninong]

Dept. of Corrections:

The Aquaspacelight is not available with moonlight so you must have ordered an Aquastarlight.

[Rin]

Oh hell, Ninong, I have no idea which name I finally settled on. I looked at so many different configurations. All I know is that I'm getting the one with 2 250 DE 10,000k bulbs and the 25 watt bulb fixture in the center. Since I saw the ones with the PCs, I'm considering changing my order--the one I ordered is still on back-order for a month.

[Ninong]

Todd,

Where did you order your fixture? The Aquaspacelight with 2*250w 10,000K DE lamps plus 2*24w Osram PC actinics is only $799.99 at: http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/index.asp

I have the Aquastarlight with the moonlight in the middle but that is because I also have a separate fixture with PC actinics. Otherwise I would have gotten the Aquaspacelight.