Is your tank covered?

[mcybyk]

I'm in the process of switching my light out from a single 20W to something with more wattage in order to help my plants grow. Some of the lights I have been looking at are raised up and are used without a tank cover. Is this generally o.k. with cichlid tanks - I mean, they are not known jumpers are they?

 

[mostlycichlids]

I wouldn't do it with Cichlids esp. Africans. They can get get feisty and will sometimes chase each other sometimes to the top and they may jump out. Same with larger Cichlids or they may jump for food and jump out or splash water on the lights.

 

[blue2fyre]

My fish are jumpers, I hear them hit the hood every so often. Most of the time it just seems to be for the fun of it

 

[efors]

Hi!
Best thing to do is to have a cover for your African cichlids tank. In your case, try to use a Versa Top all glass cover or a home made glass cover; with the light system you are looking for.

 

[nano55]

I personally would never have an aquarium without a hood on it. Too many times have I seen my fish chasing each other and then hear one splash up out of the water. When I feed them, some of them can jump pretty high trying to get the food. Plus the fact, I have 4 very interested cats who from time to time like to sit on top of the fish tank and watch the fish (probably thinking yum, fish for dinner!). :evil_lol:

 

[Istanbul_Kop]

I have a dog and I find dog hair everywhere. I dread to think what my tank would end up like without a cover. I'd LOVE to have no cover, but I think with jumping fish and dirty dogs, it unfortunately isn't an option for me. Maybe in the future I'll get some sliding acrylic or something - my tank is bow front so it might be a bit of a problem though.

 

[AfroCichlid]

You could use eggcrate. I would recommend having something on top with Mbuna.

 

[Weezer]

Highly recommend some kind of cover.........

 

[excuzzzeme]

Even if you use a reptile screen with holes smaller than your smallest fish, some sort of cover should be used. I keep all my tanks covered and I too hear the fish hitting the hood from time to time.

 

[blue2fyre]

I heard my fish smacking the top of the tank last night. When I turned on my light this morning all my plants had been moved to the other side of the tank, must have been some party!