Red Sea Net lids failing to stop jumpers

[ScissortailGobi]

As the title states, I've been having wipe out after wipe out with gobies & wrasses my tank due to them jumping out. I've got a double -netted red sea "make-it-yourself" lid with gaps less than an inch wide. I'm devastated at the loss and can't bring myself to put anything else in there till this issue is solved.

Has anyone else had near 100% failure with these lids?
Are there cheap ways to keep using this lid but that's *actually* secure?
Any other recommendations for a Red Sea max e260?

 

[Formulator]

gaps less than an inch wide

You just have to get the gaps to zero. Do you have cords or pipes that are the problem or just didn’t quite cut the pieces perfectly?

 

[VintageReefer]

Can you post a pic of the lid and how it’s on the tank ?

 

[ScissortailGobi]

Disregard this comment, I meant to hit reply.

 

[ScissortailGobi]

You just have to get the gaps to zero. Do you have cords or pipes that are the problem or just didn’t quite cut the pieces perfectly?

When I say less than an inch, I mean in the netting itself. The edges are closed off minus one side that is 1/4" open right now as I have a fan clipped to the side. While I'm working on getting a chiller to cover this gap, i know they can slip through. However, I had fish jump even before I opened the tiny gap.
It seems like they jumped through the netting itself (I even found a wrasse on the net itself one time )

 

[Formulator]

When I say less than an inch, I mean in the netting itself. The edges are closed off minus one side that is 1/4" open right now as I have a fan clipped to the side. While I'm working on getting a chiller to cover this gap, i know they can slip through. However, I had fish jump even before I opened the tiny gap.
It seems like they jumped through the netting itself (I even found a wrasse on the net itself one time )

I have the same net and I can’t imagine any fish fitting through the netting except maybe a worm-shaped one like a cleaner wrasse or firefish. Though I do know jumping fish are impressively good at finding that one little gap and seemingly aiming for it. I’d bet closing that 1/4” gap will stop your problem.

 

[VintageReefer]

If the fish are small enough to jump through mesh then you should look into a custom cut polycarbonate lid

I got them made for my 75g for around $100. Complete protection

Contact this guy through his website. He will make a completely custom solution for you.

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[ScissortailGobi]

Can you post a pic of the lid and how it’s on the tank ?

So right now I know there's a risk on the right side with that tiny gap. But I've had fish jump before I had to open that up for the sake of cooling the water.

 

[ScissortailGobi]

I have the same net and I can’t imagine any fish fitting through the netting except maybe a worm-shaped one like a cleaner wrasse or firefish. Though I do know jumping fish are impressively good at finding that one little gap and seemingly aiming for it. I’d bet closing that 1/4” gap will stop your problem.

I've had a fairy carpenter wrasse, cleaner wrasse and two scissortail gobies jump through it. I haven't put anything else in since.
Only one of the scissortails jumped after that gap opened up. The rest all passed before the gap and the carpenter was found on the netting.

 

[VintageReefer]

Maybe the mesh is stretching upon contact from a fast slippery fast fish

 

[ScissortailGobi]

Maybe the mesh is stretching upon contact from a fast slippery fast fish

Would just tightening the net fix that?

 

[VintageReefer]

Would just tightening the net fix that?

Honestly I don’t know. Take a finger and poke around and see if you can find any weak points in the net or stretched squares.

 

[Formulator]

Wow I guess I’ve just been lucky or my fish stopped jumping. Which reminds me, my fish seem to be the biggest flight risk for the first couple weeks after adding them. So if you didn’t want to run a fully closed polycarbonate or acrylic top for heat and air-exchange (pH, O2) reasons, at least it could be temporary during that high-risk time after introduction. Sure, they could jump anytime but I think the risk is significantly lower after they get settled in.

 

[ScissortailGobi]

Wow I guess I’ve just been lucky or my fish stopped jumping. Which reminds me, my fish seem to be the biggest flight risk for the first couple weeks after adding them. So if you didn’t want to run a fully closed polycarbonate or acrylic top for heat and air-exchange (pH, O2) reasons, at least it could be temporary during that high-risk time after introduction. Sure, they could jump anytime but I think the risk is significantly lower after they get settled in.

Normally, I'd agree but the 2nd scissortail I lost yesterday and she was happily in the tank for about 4 months now. I assume she was startled by something and made it out the gap that remained but it makes me wary of any jumpers since it only takes one time ;-;

 

[ReefOC]

So right now I know there's a risk on the right side with that tiny gap. But I've had fish jump before I had to open that up for the sake of cooling the water.

I have the same problem now and lost a BlueSpot jawfish last night because of it. I am looking at a Kraken lid to resolve my issue. They can add custom cutoouts if you want.

 

[Aquavaj]

Hard to see how they're still able to get through the net if you're doubled up. Stretching it tight will make it worst. If they're still getting out then likely it's through that gap.

 

[ScissortailGobi]

I have the same problem now and lost a BlueSpot jawfish last night because of it. I am looking at a Kraken lid to resolve my issue. They can add custom cutoouts if you want.

Sorry to hear that!!

I've looked at Kraken and Clearview but they both still have netting that looks wider than what I have currently. I'm worried that it may not stop the issue unless it's fully sealed which adds more problems.
I wish you the best with it!!

 

[Kraken Reef]

Sorry to hear that!!

I've looked at Kraken and Clearview but they both still have netting that looks wider than what I have currently. I'm worried that it may not stop the issue unless it's fully sealed which adds more problems.
I wish you the best with it!!

We use 1/4" mesh, which is a common standard. The mesh is user replaceable, and you can source 1/8" mesh from some suppliers. Alternatively, our evaporation cover with the lid would result in the most sealed approach.