UGH! I give up

[BrookeLea]

This is the SECOND time that this has happened to the same fish. SOMEHOW (I think one of the cats must have done it) the top of the tank fell INTO the tank and smashed the dividers, allowing all three fish to swim about freely in the tank. The first time that this happened, two of my bettas tore eachother up pretty badly. They were just now getting to the point where their fins were looking pretty again, now they're a bit more ripped up. When I found the tank all messed up, I was scared to look in and check on the bettas. I found two of them on opposite ends of one little section, and I couldn't find the third one, so I feared the worst. After I pulled the other two fish and all the other stuff out of the way, the third guy came swimming out almost totally unharmed. Right now they're all in seperate cups and I'm going out to get them their own tanks today...poor boys

here are pics of what happened the first time. thank god they don't look half as bad this time.

 

[GSD]

awww.
mabe move them or divide the tank and put a net across the top.And out plants etc covering the divider so they are less likely to jump.

 

[BrookeLea]

there's an extra piece of plastic canvas covering the whole top. they didn't jump, it's impossible for them to jump. the cat crashed the tank. thanks for the advice though

 

[GSD]

ohhh
sorry )

sont have any suggestions on how to keep a mad cat out of your tanks

 

[Bloo]

You should try adding binders to the sides of the canvas and then gluing them to the sides. I know that's a bit more of a permanent arrangement but in your case sounds like it's the safest.

 

[platyfreek]

I'm so sorry . My cats like to do that too but the only thing that happpens is the lid falls in so it doesn't do any real harm.

 

[BrookeLea]

You should try adding binders to the sides of the canvas and then gluing them to the sides. I know that's a bit more of a permanent arrangement but in your case sounds like it's the safest.

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That's how it's already done. The first time it happened I scraped all the aquarium sealant off, then re-adhered the binders. I think what happens is when the cat makes the top fall in, she ends up in the water and freaks out and thrashes around and it makes the dividers pull away from the sides. I'm just not going to risk it anymore.

 

[Bloo]

Oh shucks I can just imagine my daft cat also doing something like that - though thank goodness he hasn't (yet.....).

 

[Andie]

Your daft cat is terribly pretty, though

BrookeLea, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm just happy for you that they didn't come to a worse end; at my lps they have resident cats who like to jump up on the big tanks and drink out of the water! The tanks are so big and the lids so firmly fitted that they never fall in, but I can just imagine the chaos if one did.

The expense of buying separate tanks can be a pain, but in your case it seems like it's the smartest solution in the long run. Let us know how the boys adjust to their new condos

 

[OrkyBetta]

Have you considered hot glueing or super glueing a hard, narrow plastic rim around your tank so the lid can't fall in? I have no idea what your set up is like, but this would be my idea. Also, siliconeing the dividers to the glass without the binders will prevent them from being moved so easily and drastically, because the canvas can still come out of the binders. This is a permanent arrangement, so to speak but silicone has a low melting point and I find that if you REALLY need silicone off, it boils off, or if you hold a flame or a lighter up to it it will melt off. Good luck! (have you considered doing surgery to fix those heavily damaged fins?)
Also, on your cat issue, try keeping a spray bottle with water next to the tank and squirt her whenever you see her near it. Thsi has worked for me in the past hen my cat would go fishing in my bowls, after knocking the lids off.

 

[cation]

Have you considered hot glueing or super glueing a hard, narrow plastic rim around your tank so the lid can't fall in?

Brilliant idea. Wish I could say I'd thought of it first. That sounds like it'd be just the ticket, Orky.

 

[BrookeLea]

Have you considered hot glueing or super glueing a hard, narrow plastic rim around your tank so the lid can't fall in?

Brilliant idea. Wish I could say I'd thought of it first. That sounds like it'd be just the ticket, Orky.

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yes...brilliant! i think i'll try that.

i don't really want to silicone the dividers to the glass because i take the dividers out during cleaning time. it's nearly impossible to syphon the gravel with the dividers in because the spaces are so small.

as far as my cat...i've only seen her on the tank once or twice. i think she mostly does it when she's roaming at night and i can't see her. that's when both of the accidents happened.

Thanks for your help!

 

[BrookeLea]

Your daft cat is terribly pretty, though

BrookeLea, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm just happy for you that they didn't come to a worse end; at my lps they have resident cats who like to jump up on the big tanks and drink out of the water! The tanks are so big and the lids so firmly fitted that they never fall in, but I can just imagine the chaos if one did.

The expense of buying separate tanks can be a pain, but in your case it seems like it's the smartest solution in the long run. Let us know how the boys adjust to their new condos

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Thanks Andie! I love my cat. She's such a sweet girl, but she knows how to get herself into trouble!

I'll let you know how the boys like their new homes soon! They're still being set up.