Question

[JimD]

I just purchased a fish thats a known jumper, (Blue Spot Jawfish) and I need to secure the back side of the tank to keep him from becoming some expensive fish jerky, the remaining three sides are secured by the canopy.What are some of the solutions ya'll have come up with to resolve this problem? Pics of your settup would be great! Thanks for any help on this one... The back of the tank has the skimmer attached so its gonna have to be something tha can be formed around the return/intake... Egg crate doesnt work, tried that with my last pair of pearlys and the managed to sneak through the squares... R.I.P.

[LoneStar]

Some sort of netting that can be cut to match the opening. Possibly make a wooden frame for it and attach it to the back side of your canopy (attaching it in a way so it can be removed easily).

[JimD]

Ive been thinking about something along those lines actually,,, Thanks for the idea!

[ballardjr2000]

Wal mart, you can buy some plastic mesh, for croshaing pictures and stuff its easy to cut and you can basically cut any shape out and zip tie it attach it were you need it if you want i can shoot you a pick of it in the package its found in the art/yarn section. the pieces are 8 by 10 inchs.

[JimD]

Wal mart, you can buy some plastic mesh, for croshaing pictures and stuff its easy to cut and you can basically cut any shape out and zip tie it attach it were you need it if you want i can shoot you a pick of it in the package its found in the art/yarn section. the pieces are 8 by 10 inchs.

Hey cool, yeah a pic if you dont mind... It needs to form tightly around the two tubes, these guy are sneaky!

[ballardjr2000]

Pulled it out of my sump area helps keep the macro outta my pump. you get like 6 sheets for cheap a couple bucks

[JimD]

Awesome, looks like Ill be headet to Walmart soon! Ill probably do as Lonestar suggested and build a frame so it can be removed....

[hobogato]

you can do egg crate jim, you just have to do two layers with them overlapping so that the front layer cuts the squares of the front layer into 1/4s. that is exactly what i did for seamonkey to keep a very thin eel from jumping. that plastic canvas will work as well, it is called "plastic canvas" at micheals in the yarn and cross stitch stuff.

[ballardjr2000]

Yeah and you can cut that plastic to whatever shape you need. so with the frame and that i think you can get what you want done

[dustint21]

http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f60/help-beat-heat-mesh-top-24501.html

They have the stuff to build these at lowes or you could just buy from this guy.


Dustin

[JimD]

Well that was a quick resolve! Thanks for all the input guys! Appreciated!

[JimD]

Ok, since I only have about nine miles of this stuff laying around, this is what I came up with, Ill probably take it another step and cover it with that plastic mesh... By the way, if anyone needs any of this eggrate, I have several different lengths and widths you can have for free....
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/JimD_photo/DSC00231.jpg

[txav8r]

That was quick!
What is to stop them from jumping up and landing on the egg crate?

[JimD]

Nothing, Im hoping hes not that smart, lol.... Its been my experience that they like to 'skate' against the wall and shoot out that way, thats what I keep tellin myself anyway. :) I may attach a vertical piece along the inside edge as an extra precaution...

[ballardjr2000]

and u can use the plastic i shot the pics of over the egg crate he won't get through it for sure i could use small 6x6 peace of egg crate if you want. or were can i buy it at i think lowes was mentioned but not sure

[txav8r]

Lowes and home depot have it. Look in the lighting section by the flourcent fixtures.

[JimD]

If you go yo Lowes or Home Depot, ask for lighting 'diffusor' material, if you ask for eggcrate, enjoy the wonderful look on the attendents face.. lol Ballard, if you cant find any localy, pm me your address and Ill mail you a chunk...

[ballardjr2000]

sweet i will check lowes first i will ask for egg crate the light diffusior i have to do it lol.

[ReefCube]

you can get one built for under $10

[R.Allard]

if you have ever been scuba diving they have mesh rubber guards that fit arround the tanks. i think i paid 8 or 10 bucks a piece you can cut and form it anywhere you want its plyable. i attached mine with a few brass screws and none of my "jumpers" have made it out yet. i covered the back of the canopy with it. it also lets air through for my fan. HTH

[JimD]

Thanks for the idea R but I just want to mention one thing about the brass screws youre using... Id consider replacing them with stainless or nylon, brass and inverts dont mix well in a closed environment, saltwater will eventually cause the brass to dissolve and can enter the system causing serious havock. Im didnt know if you were aware of this, I just wanted to bring it to your attention in case you werent. I might have some of that mesh in the form of a duffle, Ill have to check.. Thanks again!

[Mr_Cool]

I used "Leaf Guard" or "Gutter Guard." (I don't remember what it's called, but you put it on top of the gutters on the house so that leaves don't get in the gutters and clog the downspout.)

It comes in a long roll, and is about 6 inches wide. I stapled it to the canopy so that it "completed" the 4th wall of the canopy. The bottom edge sat just inside the lip of the plastic trim.

(The diagonal on each square is about 7/16 in. If it were horizontal, I bet some smaller fish could squeeze through. But, since it's vertical, it worked great!)