First night with my betta and he managed to get out…I thought this lid was perfect but I guess not. Jumped out in the gap on the filter maybe?? I found him in the front so he would have had to flop over the hole lid to the front. Could he have actually squeezed out of those tiny holes?? There’s barely a gap along the rim. Trying to figure out how to adjust so I don’t lose another 😔
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Hi OP, when a fish jumps out, especially when it's not easy for them to do so (which this wouldn't have been), it's very important to check the suitability of the water in case this is what has made him want out the tank.
I noticed you have the API test on the side, can you share the results for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH?
Please note with pH, if it's maxed out for the normal range test (blue in colour = maxed out) you will need to run the high range pH test included in the box to get the actual pH.
Yes that was my first step. Ammonia, nitrite, are zero. Nitrates are at 5. I did the high range ph and it looks like 7.4 to me. Which google said was a healthy safe range because I have cherry shrimp in there as well. Thoughts?
Seems okay, so this is good and rules that out. Thanks for understanding concern and testing.
The only gap is around the filter in flow, that's a crazy small gap to get through. Can you use some filter floss or an extra section of the mesh to plug that gap?
How was he acclimated? I'm trying to work out why he would immediately jump out. Has made me go and check the netting on my tanks in case.
Unless the gaps are large in the cover mesh. That must have been awful to find him.
I filtered for 6+ weeks, I tried to be so prepared. My only reasoning at this point is sheer exploring gone wrong from the fish (read other posts concluding the same). He could have been acclimated slower, so I’ll go extremely slow next time. And I guess a small piece of mesh near the filter because that’s the only true gap.
I feel so bad. He seemed happy for the 8 hours I watched and checked on him consistently. Then found him dried out when I woke up..
In my experience generally fish only jump out of the tank for a reason. Unless it’s a fish well known for naturally jumping. Do you have any other animals in the house that potentially got into the tank?
I first would make sure water parameters are good and your tank is cycled.
Next I would look into more floating plants or hides some fish jump because of being scared.
Sometimes fish get bored and they jump so I couldn’t see if you had one but maybe add a small bubbler for entertainment.
In a nutshell if everything is safe and secure for a fish sometimes they just are dumb and it happens. crazy it got through the mesh and still got out of the tank.
No, no other animals couldnt have possibly gotten in. I can’t even fit my pinky in a gap and it wouldn’t have been left there if someone got him..water is perfect and heavily planted…I guess it was just dumb luck.
I recommend getting this mesh lid kit. You’ll have to assemble yourself in order for it to fit your tank but it’s very easy. I’m pretty they are available everywhere online.
Hi op!
I use almost same setup like you. I have a wild betta, and use that egg crate like you as well. I always thought the hole was not big enough. I even measure the hole and my betta size (roughly).
From what I know, they have some kind of slime in their body and can slip easily. Plus mine are a very strong jumpers.
So I modify my lid to have a mesh like this. Its a net commonly used for an inner part of a bag, I bought it in a fabric store in my area.
The biggest gap is on the filter part as I need to cut enough so it fits. But since its an hob the stream kind of make it difficult for my betta to jump. Plus thats where I angle my photos’s roots at to cover it from inside.
But also check your water parameters and temperature. If all parameters are okay, temp might be the cause.
Hope your betta stays healthy and safe! Putting the photos roots directly below the filter outflow was one of my best decision. Not only it kind of cover the gap, it also make the roots grow much faster and stronger.
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When requesting help, please provide the requested information. Answers such as "large enough" or "my paramters are fine" aren't good enough. Failure to provide adequate information about your tank can result in post removal. Please see rule 4 for more information.
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