Tanks Lids And Exploring Pet Cats

[neilrufc27]

Hi,

I have a Rio 180 tanks that is not set up yet. I plan to set up at the weekend but my problem is my cats. They are very exploring and what worries me is the Rio 180 lid. It does not seem very strong and my worry is once the tank is set up the cats 99.9% likely to jump on top of the tank.

Do I have reason to be worried?

Is there any advise on securing the lid?

Can cats swim if the lif did cave in?

I never really considered happening until now and considering not setting it up. My tank has one place to go in my house and is basically next to the sofa.

Thanks for reading

 

[Breeze7050]

Im not familiar with the tank (Im from the US). So, I have no tank advice, but I do have cat advice! But, do you have 2 sided tape out there? Cats will stay far, far away from that stuff! It's not at all cruel, they just don't like the sticky feeling on there feet.
Also cats are perfectly capable of swimming - they just don't like to do it!! I would be worried for your fish if your cat happened to drop in because s/he will for sure flail about like a maniac on some sort of drugs! I would just be careful of you not being home and this happening. Your cat could be in trouble if he ends up getting stuck in the tank without being able to get himself out for a long period of time.
Hope this helps at least a bit and Im sure you will get some responses on the strength of the lid/tank.

 

[The-Wolf]

I have a 'friend' with a rio 300 and her very fat cat always jumps ontop the tank and goes to sleep there.

 

[neilrufc27]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies,

it is a worry for me just need to make the lid stronger I think for peace of mind.

The sticky tape is certainly a good idea and could be tried if the cats dont behave.

What about stronger lids for the tanks?

Thanks

 

[Nick Bramley]

i really cant see the tank lid caving in. if your cat has an interest in your fish then its more likely to sit in front of your tank and watch the fish than sit on top. i wouldnt worry yourself to much though, i have four cats and not one has sat on either of my tanks. if it comes to the point where your sure your cats will jump on it then why not try sprinkling some of the that cat powder (keeps cats off flower beds and is very safe) on a little cloth and place it on the tank, after a few days your cats will probably loose interest and then you can remove the cloth.

Nick

 

[neilrufc27]

Thats a pretty good idea, wilko job you think?

 

[Araxen]

I've used the double sided tape method and it works good. Now my cat sits right below the tank and tries to paw them through the glass when they get to the front of the tank. Luckily they have gotten used to her and just ignore her.

 

[madmom]

I agree with the sricky tape. My furballs were using the tank as their personal water dish. They'd lift the lid and drink. A little sticky tape on the lid and no more water dish. They do like to watch the fish swim though.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

ours have always completely ignored the tanks, when we had one under the window they'd sit on it to sunbathe but that was it, never gone fishing or anything

 

[fenwoman]

Hi,

I have a Rio 180 tanks that is not set up yet. I plan to set up at the weekend but my problem is my cats. They are very exploring and what worries me is the Rio 180 lid. It does not seem very strong and my worry is once the tank is set up the cats 99.9% likely to jump on top of the tank.

Do I have reason to be worried?

Is there any advise on securing the lid?

Can cats swim if the lif did cave in?

I never really considered happening until now and considering not setting it up. My tank has one place to go in my house and is basically next to the sofa.

Thanks for reading

I think the biggest danger to the cat will not be drowing but electrocution since the light fitting will fall into the water too. Sit eith a water pistol and squirt the cat if it ventures onto the tank lid.

 

[kniesh]

Both my cats, which are quite fat btw, used to sit on my lid which was one of those flimsy plastic lids you get with the tank. I used to chase them all the time, they like the warmth from the light through the plastic I think. The more you chase a cat from something, the more he wants to do it as I found. I always chased him off anyway however you have no idea what they do when your out. Mine always seemed strong enough to hold him though, I think they have grown out of it now though.

 

[cafai0627]

Both my cats, which are quite fat btw, used to sit on my lid which was one of those flimsy plastic lids you get with the tank. I used to chase them all the time, they like the warmth from the light through the plastic I think. The more you chase a cat from something, the more he wants to do it as I found. I always chased him off anyway however you have no idea what they do when your out. Mine always seemed strong enough to hold him though, I think they have grown out of it now though.

I got a fat cat too 18lb persian. In the beginning he showed interest in it - i use to just leave a cup there...anytime he showed up, i took the cup and poured tank water on him - he eventually learned. It maybe messy...but it worked for me.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

My 4 cats were persistant...... they would go into my room and balance on my tank without a lid.... 3 paws on the edges and one paw elbow deep in the water swishing around...... I eventually made a plexiglass lid to stop them from being able to reach in, but go figure, now after i made the darn thing, they couldn't care less about the fish..... they just head straight for the bed

 

[mbbowman]

My bengals and savannah cat love my tank. They'll watch the fish for hours sometimes, and occationally paw at them (thank God for all glass aquariums!). The platys have long ago decided that they are safe from the cats, so much of the time I think they tease the cats...swimming from side to side in front of the cat as if to say "Nenenenene...you cant get me!".

That said, the first day I got those platys one decided she'd rather surf my carpet than swim in my tank. It's an amazing sight to see four cats (argued by some to be "dangerous wild beasts") stare at the flopping fish without making any attempt at catching it. I bet most of your cats would have swollowed the fish in a flash! Not my cats. They just stood and stared, "Uh, mom, why isnt the fish IN the fish tank?". The platy still lives today, and is the worst offender in terms of teasing the cats. I wonder if the cats ever regret not eating her? "Ha ha ha! Shoulda gotten me while you had the chance! Muwahahhahaha!".

Oh, and Re: cats on top of aquariums...I dont know about you, but my aquarium is a steamy 79 degrees right now, which makes for an awfully nice, warm sleeping spot for a cat. Mine aren't allowed on the top of my tank and they do a good job of staying off when I'm home. I often figure it's better if I don't know what they do when I'm gone O.