Simple jump stopper

Hello All,

I though I would post this here and on my Pregnant Six Line thread

I have had several email inquiries about the tank cover I made to keep the Six Line from jumping out of our tank. Most of you read the thread on the MOFIB web site. Like many of you we prefer to not cover our tank but leave it open to the fresh air and lighting above - more reef like? Anyway, we lost our original Six Line breeding female when the pair spawned and she jumped out of the tank. We obtained a second female and the pair spawn every day and also jump. I did not want to lose another fish nor go through the guilt. I devised a cover that uses a simple frame and smooth, nylon bird netting as used for protecting fruit trees. The netting is very flexible and stretchy and can be found at your hardware store or nursery. It also has small enough fiber diameter and large enough holes to allow nearly 100% light in and air but keep the jumpers in. It is also quickly removable for tank cleaning and food can be easily dropped through the netting. We are now into about 5 months of use and it has worked perfectly. The Six Line will jump while spawning but only lightly touch the bottom of the net and drop back in without problems. I wanted to watch this for a while before posting.
The attached pictures are not master pieces but basically show the simple acrylic frame, stainless screws that I will be changing to plastic posts and of course the netting. The whole frame sits just inside the tank resting on the center tank support and four suction cups placed in the corners. The frame could be something other than acrylic such as plastic rods, plywood, maisonite or ??? It is simple and it works. The frame sits about 1" above the water in our tank and cannot be seen from the outside
Frame cut from scrap sheet of 1/4" acrylic
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Stretchy bird protection net pulled over stainless screws
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Screen sitting in tank about 1" above the water. The screws will be changed to acrylic rods about 1/4" high and the netting trimmed up.
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If you have any questions or comments please ask or suggest.

 

looks nice man..

 

We did the same thing on our old open top 75, but we used a plastic window screen frame kit from HD. Loved it.

 

Thanks, Surf Rider, for posting the pics. I love it. It looks so much nicer than the egg crate. The only thing I'm wondering is if it is a little tougher to get around the overflow and anything else hanging on the tank. I guess it could be set a little high, like with little legs to raise it up above. What do you think?:-/

 

Nice.

Where can you get this bird netting?

 

You can usually pick up the bird netting at Home Depot or Lowe's.

 

chrisg, i dont think that would be a great idea as the fish could then jump out the sides...

 

I did not like the looks of the egg crate stuff, too hard and difficult to take out when needed. This netting is very light and just lifts out. As mentioned you can buy it at most hardware stores or Home Depot. You will get enough to cover many, many tanks for about $10. Mine sits above the overflow inlet so you need a separte protector for that. There is a gap in the back corner where return tubes are located. It has not been a problem but depending on what is used for a frame that could be easily filled in.

For holding the frame off the water my center brace is helpful but I have put suction cups in the corners and the frame sits on these. One of the suction cups is attached to the overflow and just above the inlet. If someone would like more pictures I would be happy to take some.

 

My tank's eurobrace is 62" long, by 30" wide outside dimensions with a 3" eurobrace all around.

Hopefully the material comes in at least 30" wide.

Then I need to figure out my frame for the netting. Acyrlic would be nice, but a wood frame would work well.

I think I have enough scrap of poplar 1/2 square to do the frame. I will start my anti carpet surfing device on my tank build thread. Thanks for the ideas

 

My tank is 48" long by 20" wide.

The netting (mesh) is quite large. It is used to throw over an entire tree so your 62" by 30 " should be easy. I have a bunch left over but the mailing would cost more than the material at your local Home Depot.

Poplar should work. You might even want to make two frames so you can just lift off one end if necessary. What is kinda cool about this setup is it so easy to change and modify.