Lid or No Lid?

[Chipper1978]

I am patiently awaiting the arrival of my Waterbox 130.4 and am undecided about getting a lid. I know there are some really nice custom lid makers out there, but I really love the look without one. I also worry about spending money on a custom lid and then needing a new one if I want to change things such as my lights. However, I hate the prospect of losing a fish or two, even if they are not necessarily a species prone to jumping.

So...lid or no lid?

 

[reefwiser]

More of a question do you want your fish to be found on the floor or behind your aquarium

 

[Nanorock1970]

Is the question more, should you get a hard lid, mesh cover or no lid? If you have jumpers..You need something.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

Lid. I am debating if I should spend around $140 on a freaking lid or about $50 on not so fancy or diy lid.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Depends on the fish you want to keep, but 99% of the time you'll need a lid

 

[Kjgaeta]

Lid. I am debating if I should spend around $140 on a freaking lid or about $50 on not so fancy or diy lid.

I went with the Fancy lid.
Clearview Lids is who I went with and ordered several. Worth it to me.

 

[canadianeh]

Which kind of fish is jumper?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Which kind of fish is jumper?

There's a very long answer to this question. I know the flying fish is a jumper.

 

[JoshO]

Definitely a screen lid. The d-d Jumpguard is a good choice

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

+1 on a mesh lid.

 

[SPSReeferMI]

Agreed with the OP - these tanks look much better without them. However, I have one due to jumpers....;Sorry

 

[Slawman]

I use a nylon net on a frame to keep my fish in the tank and maintain maximum oxygen exchange. There are other considerations such as temperature insulation or minimising evaporation that are part of the equation.

Make the frame out of clear acrylic and use fine nylon net and it is almost invisible anyway....

 

[xxkenny90xx]

 

[Peace River]

Congratulations on the beautiful new tank! Some fish jump more than others, but most fish will jump. Put a lid on it.

 

[canadianeh]

Is that DIY?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Yes. Cheap plastic mesh from ebay and bar for making window screens

 

[MentalNote]

I would recommend the lid. I have a rimless tank, had no desire to put a top on it, but finally added a DIY mesh lid after experiencing a few jumpers.

If people are coming over and I want to have the tank look nice, I take the lid off (while also hiding other fish gear I just leave out for convenience).

 

[35ppt]

Which kind of fish is jumper?

Asian Carp

 

[35ppt]

Which kind of fish is jumper?

No, but really, all fish have the potential to jump. Always have a screen top IMO. Glass tops can break spines.

 

[35ppt]

Yep, that's what I always make.