Fire Eel proofing my tank.

[Mudfrog]

I've lost two fire eels in the past 5 years. My 18" fire eel jumped out of the tank and my 8" fire eel tried swimming up the outlet of an FX5. I'm ready to try again..

I ordered a supposed 20" fire eel so hopefully it will work out this time. What are people doing to keep the lids in place? I don't use HOB's so it should not be able to escape through an opening, I'm mainly worried about him lifting the lid. I've used 5 lbs weights in the past but I hate putting that much stress on the braces.

Would 3" PVC be ideal for a 20" fire eel?

 

[Mudfrog]

I think for the lid I'm going to come up with some kind of wooden plank to hold the lids in place. It will hold two small weights and have a handle so I can just pick it straight up when I need to get in the tank.

 

[MonsterMinis]

I would go w/ a 6" x 36" pvc tube for a hide spot.

 

[Mudfrog]

I think 6" would be a bit big. I imagine he'd want a tighter feeling for a sense of security.

 

[Yoimbrian]

I haven't done it yet because my eel is only 7" and not strong enough to lift up my lid, but I was thinking on building a simple hinge. Take a 2x4 and put hinges on the inside of the canopy, so when you are opening to feed to dont have a pick up a long or heavy thing, you just need to hinge it up, then open the glass door.

just a thought, like i said i haven't done it yet - maybe you can try it first and tell me how it goes? I have a good 6 months before i need to start worrying about it

 

[dave'stank]

If you dont mind me asking where did you order a 20 inch fire eel from?

 

[Mudfrog]

Found it on ebay.. It's a new seller so hopefully the transaction will go smooth.

I bought some white PVC and using black Kryon Fusion on it.

 

[Mudfrog]

Well I'm pretty ticked off.. The auction states Expedited shipping. Being an ebay seller myself that means 1-2 day shipping. They shipped it Priority mail which is not Expedited shipping. According to USPS it will be here Friday. That is 5 days of shipping, I highly doubt he'll survive it.

 

[hemiboo]

If you paid for expedited shipping and he shipped priority you can report him and get your money back if he's DOA. Sorry dude thinks 3-5 days in a box will be fine. Maybe they will live.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[Mudfrog]

Yea.. ebay is very pro buyer.. they will do whatever it takes to make the buyer happy. Usually that works against me.. this time it will work for me.