littlebirdie Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I have seen videos of crs climbing and wondered if everyone covers their tanks. It seems like it would be hard to cover with all the filter equipment needed. Do they get out of tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMG Aquatics Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 The only shrimp I heard of that crawls out are Amano shrimp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I don't cover my tanks. I let all the plants grow out of the water. I have never personally had an issue with shrimp climbing out of my tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 Seen vids of them climbing HOB waterfalls, and read the occasional post of them leaping to their death when a fish comes after them, or walking over separators, but not many other threads or posts about them walking out otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julianzh Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I used to have a open top tank but my gf starting to use all kinds of spray in the room and I diy this ugly cover with usps box.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted January 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 Metageologist, I have lots of floating plants and let the water sprite grow out so maybe that will discourage them. There is a video somewhere on YouTube that shows the crs climbing right up the walls during a WC! They are an investment and I don't want to find dehydrated shrimp on the floor!! I don't have a problem with my neos so I guess I will leave a little space at the top of the tank and hope they stay put! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I used to have a open top tank but my gf starting to use all kinds of spray in the room and I diy this ugly cover with usps box.... Better safe than sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I had to put a top on my tanks, the cat thought they were giant water bowls. He particualarly liked to drink the flowing water coming out the HOB filter. Crazyfishlady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I am new but all my tanks (shrimp and bettas) are covered. Bettas will jump, but my cat also enjoys going fishing for food and paws at the tanks wanting a snack...so tops it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted January 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 What did you guys use for the tops? Acrylic, lexan, glass??? did you cut out for the hob, air line for sponge filter, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumlover10 Posted January 2, 2015 Report Share Posted January 2, 2015 I have a top on my tank, honestly I would recommend, because my snails climb on it,and if u have ghost shrimp they jump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 my tanks came with tops, but I know some will get acrylic and cut it for the cords and hob. Not sure about glass tops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumpsmasher Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Shrimps will climb up anything that's wet but as long as to keep the water at least 1/2 from the top trim you should be fine. I used to keep my water level fairly high plus there of a bit of overflow from the HOB and every month I would find a few dried up shrimps on the floor behind the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 I use the economy plastic hoods for my cheapie tenners. Tried Lexan, but it warped horribly overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 I just bought 1/4" lexan. They do not warp. Acrylic will warp. Also my lights are almost 7" above the covers. RyeGuy411 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 That may have been my problem. (?) My light was about 3" away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Thanks for all the input so far. I don't love the look of the hoods but the petco ten g tanks are not on display anyway. Seems like all the new lighting is smack down at the water level so it would be hard to have lexan or acrylic with those. Going to check out the cheapie hoods. Jumpsmasher mentioned they climb on wet surfaces...any other opinions on that? I have nice leds I would like to use but am spending too much to start this colony to chance loosing a bunch unnecessarily. Thanks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 There are some cheap clamp style led lights that will help keep the light off the water level and growing algae. I use this one on my 7g tb tank. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BeamsWork-Aquarium-33-LED-3-5W-Double-Power-Clamp-Light-Beam-30cm-40cm-/181040505790?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a26dae3be This one sits 5" above my water level and It grows fissidens, moss and dhg fine. A lighting hanger soiunds like it might work for ya as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyeGuy411 Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 Lexan is the only way to go will not warp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 where do you get lexan and how do you cut it for cords and what not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayphly Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 I got my lexan at tap plastics. They'll cut it to any dimensions you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 At Amazon they have all glass covers with a 2" piece of plastic at rear for cutting holes for equipment. For a 20" or 10 gal Petco tank the top is from 10.99 to 17.99 depending on who you buy it from there. The item is the All Glass Aquarium AAG29020 Versa Top 20-Inch. The real measurements are slightly less so it fits on the inner rim of these Tetra 10s. They are hinged and, according to reviews, if you over filter (guilty) your tank and your hob is larger than the plastic allows people have been soaking the plastic hinge part to get it off which gives them the extra 1/2" they need for larger filters. This solves my problem as I already have lights that are close to the water level so the lexan is out for me. Also, I figure you get one and then you have a pattern to cut from for the others you need. The plastic needlework canvas might even work for the back section with cutouts. Glue a handle on front section for lifting out and you're done! Crazyfishlady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted January 3, 2015 Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 littlebirdie - thank you! I am having to do cheap and easy ideas (especially since someone here got me hooked on some high end heaters - ha ha) littlebirdie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebirdie Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2015 You're welcome. I really hope I have solved all my "set up" issues and can concentrate on populating...my next project is to get a really comfy chair in place. I've got one just need to move it. Crazyfishlady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted January 4, 2015 Report Share Posted January 4, 2015 I cover my tanks. Always have. When I started shrimping, I was careful to fully cover the tank. Still, you have all the stuff going in/out - airline and heater power cord. I had an adventurous gal climb out one of those. She perished by the time I found her. I am now experimenting with ideas for shrimp-resistant baffles for the airline/cords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.