How to make tank escape proof?

[Longimanus]

So I have a 37 gallon tank, it has one of those black flat plastic canopys with the glass "window" where the light strip sits. It has an opening where an Aquaclear 70 sits, another opening about the same size, and also a hole where the heater is.
This is the lid.


I am thinking about getting a baby Senegal Bichir, as I found some at a LFS, but I know they are super escape artists, but I'm not sure how much modifying I need to do to the lid.

I was thinking of using plastic craft canvas, like this.

But I'm not sure how to attach it to the lid, and if I attach it to the lid do I need to weigh the lid down? The bichir is only 2-3", so it would be able to fit out some small holes. Then how do I make sure it can't nose underneath the mesh to get out. Would I need to attach the edge to the tank itself somehow? How?

I'm also concerned about my HOB filter, do I need to block part of it? Which part? How? I've heard of bichirs and eels ending up in filters but not sure how they do it.

I could get a glass top cut, but would rather work with what I have. I could buy a glass top but I'm not sure what brand tank it is and apparently you need to know to get the correct top.

Any ideas or recommendations? What do you guys do to block holes and filters?

 

[swede]

You can easily use some window repair kit screen and silicone. its cheap and easy and if you ever need to rearrange the holes, its easy enough to redo. I have used this method personally and it worked well

 

[Longimanus]

But do you attach it to the tank? Do you weigh the lid down? I'm worried that it can stick it's head under the screen where the it sits at the edge of the tank because it wouldn't be heavy enough. Or are they really not that intent on escaping? Or are they like snakes and will push until they get the lid up a little?

Also, do I need to worry about blocking where the water comes out of the filter? Or is it good enough just to make sure there are no gaps around it?

 

[stevenrox]

i use some foil and take it on and it works great

 

[Longimanus]

Foil? That would be so cheap and easy! It doesn't rust or anything?

 

[stevenrox]

Foil? That would be so cheap and easy! It doesn't rust or anything?

i used mines on a FW tank for like 7 months and counting no rust a little salt build up but no rust it is cheap and easy if u are afraid of it rusting u can replace it easily and clean lid and just tape it on

 

[sick_lid]

I use masking tape to cover all the small openings.. Not the greatest looking thing, but who is going to look at the back top of your tank besides you.. The slime coat will prevent them from sticking to it if they hit it, and keep them in. Just use a razor blade to straighten and clean it up a bit.

 

[cpr_mike]

I use clear tape on the tank with the ropefish. Clear tape with tinfoil is really good.

 

[Longimanus]

Someone on another board gave me the idea of stuffing the spaces with filter sponge, it worked great! Baby bichirs here I come!