The Puffer Forum

I have never seen mine jump in the 3 years Ive had him. How common is it for them to jump and for what reason? I am worried because I have just updated the lighting on my tank and the hood has been replaced with a ceiling hung fixture, leaving much of the top of the tank open. I love this set up and the temp. problems I was having have completely been resolved (Its only a 40G with 198watts but I was having a hard time keeping the temp below 80).
Any ideas on making sure he will not be able to jump out of the tank? I have been very worried the past two days since I changed the lights (Ive actually been sleeping on the couch in the living room so I am near the tank and can hear what is going on!)...

Thanks for your help!

Mine jumps all the time, even jumped out of the little hole in the back of the hood where the cutout is for a hanging heater. I'd never go topless with him.

What about a glass top?

Boxermom wrote:Mine jumps all the time, even jumped out of the little hole in the back of the hood where the cutout is for a hanging heater. I'd never go topless with him.

Never?




I'd not remove the hood on any of my puffer tanks. Theyre not so great at high speed in a straight line, they're a little unpredictable to say the least.

Actually I just found a great glass top...kinda expensive for what it is but keeps puffer in. Only problem is that it will once again keep all the heat in the tank...I may just put the canopy back on and use these new lights for another set up. I just hate the old canopy lights (only about 110 watts) and I dont want to change them...

What about some DIY action?

Something plexiglass with alot of small drilled holes for ventilation?

Sounds good actually...

Did you miss the "with him" part? :p Trust me, topless isn't a good thing in my house.

I made a plexiglass top for my 55 gallon gold fish tank the only problem is the heat from the lights will warp it, Try acrylic

beetlebug454 wrote:I made a plexiglass top for my 55 gallon gold fish tank the only problem is the heat from the lights will warp it, Try acrylic

Plexiglass is Acrylic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymethyl_methacrylate

Obviously, some of you haven't heard how I clean my tanks!

My Fugu is a jumper! One day we found him "dead" on the floor- I managed to get him goin again, but my wife made the next mornings project fixing his tank...so I pulled on the McGyver hat and went to work...

I went to Lowes and bought those white plastic light panel sheets that you see covering Florescent lights (square holes, fairly rigid). *they sell 2x2 and 2x4 sections (like $5 and $10). I got the 2x4 and cut it to fit (real easy, just need a pair of scissors). I was even able to get in closer to the filter (the water can pass right true) and wood.

My tank is 18" deep and 48" long- I was worried about the sag in the plastic- so I got some of that plastic edging that you put on the corners of your walls to keep em from getting scuffed up. I cut them to 18" long and use them for support- I did 4 of them and it's very rigid. (that "L" shape makes it strong!)

But if you're on a budget or have a jacked up tank (90 gallon without frame) that won't hold a glass canopy- try it.

I think the whole project cost me $13.00 and he tests it all the time.

Stay tuned for pics and story of my latest McGyver build- my dogs are WAY spoiled!

That plastic stuff is called eggcrate.

I can vouch for the plexiglass warping, boy does it ever. It hangs so low now, my cichlids love taking a run at it and sliding right out of the tank.

Hey back to these water changes. I have to go topless to do my F8 tank. They just love to stare at my belly tat. I guess they could be laughing at my little pot.

With all your tats PP I bet your fish are mesmerized.

LOL as long as she doesn't have any snails tat'd in there somewhere!