Stingray escape artist?! Looking for ideas here.

[klwheat]

So, as many of you know, I have a large, oddly shaped tank that I use to house my california round stingray. She's about 10" diameter or so now. For those who don't know, if you've ever been to Polly's Pets (either store) they have a 250 gallon keyhole-shaped tank (one at each store). I have that exact same tank. It's about 6' long 24" deep, and between 32 and 44" wide depending on where you measure on the tank. (as an aside...if you want to see what i'm talking about, you can look at my live web feed listed in my signature).

Anyway, enough intro...so on to my dilemma. Slimer (my ray) has apparently gotten a bit excited and jumped from the tank. The first time, my 19yr old daughter fortunately came downstairs on her way to work and found her before any major issues. The second time was today, while my wife was in the next room and heard it happen and tossed her back into the tank.
So, now I'm looking for ideas. I could probably get a (VERY) large piece of plexi cut to fit...but really don't want to as we feed and pet the ray by hand :)
I'm not the handiest with building things (and would rather not spend a lot) but am trying to figure out something that I can build to keep her in the water (as they typically fare better when wet :) )
Anyone had this problem, or have any ideas? TIA for any help!

The only other idea I can come up with it to try to get another large tank that's more conventionally shaped and can be covered more easily...but I really don't want to spend the money on that at the moment :(

[rrasco]

Egg crate. Not sure it would keep a fish that big in, but it's cheap, easily cut to shape, and light so it can be removed easily.

[klwheat]

egg crate might keep her in...but would make it REALLY tough to watch the tank (because of it's height...I'm typically looking through the top of the water's surface.

[Big_Pun]

screen top use adjustable corners if you want one solid piece. would have to find a way to secure them

[Zack]

Do you think the hand feeding may be part of the cause? I used to hand feed my oscar but it got too friendly and would jump out. After that I stopped hand feeding him and he learned not to jump.

[ElChicano]

What about a plexiglass, set up like a fence along the top of the the tank ? about 12 inches high ? It Would still give you the ability to see it from the top and feed the stingray.

[klwheat]

What about a plexiglass, set up like a fence along the top of the the tank ? about 12 inches high ? It Would still give you the ability to see it from the top and feed the stingray.
Someone on RC suggested something like that too. I have NO IDEA where to get plexi like that around here...or how to attach it though :( Anyone do this?

[ElChicano]

what about with the use of glass clamps like these.
http://www.cnglassclamp.com/bathroom-glass-clamp/pd_1_2194.htm
That would allow you to use pieces of plexiglass or glass that would be cheaper and easier to keep clean . with the glass clamp/hinge you could get the shape of the tank and set it on the rim of the tank. and maybe silicone it into place

[klwheat]

not sure how I'd get the clamps/hinges on the existing tank - it has a different type of rim on it. I might be able to just silicone/glue pieces of plexi horizontally onto the tank rim....if I can figure out where to get some thats not ridiculously priced.

[rrasco]

Regal and Allied (I think) sell scraps for pennies on the dollar. I've had acrylic for over 2 years from one stop at Regal that ran me $30. Various sizes, types, and thicknesses. You can handpick what you want, at least at Regal. From people I know buying new acrylic, Allied seems to have the better pricing. Good thing is they are a stones-throw from each other.

[ElChicano]

What im saying is to use the hinges for the plexiglass or glass to connect to each other.. The hinges would allow yout to create the shape of the tank. You could then silicone the bottom part of each panel to the rim of the tank.

[rrasco]

I thought you meant to use them upright as well. That may work, although I personally wouldn't silicone anything to the trim of my tank. Maybe you can suspend it from the roof and install a lift to raise it out of the way? :D

[ElChicano]

Does the trim on the tank do anything as far as keeping the tank together or is it just for looks. If its just for looks then i would do the pieces horizontal and connect them all together as well.