Determined Jumper

[Circus]

So I had a betta jump out of his tank today. His name was Spangle and he was a Half-moon King. I found him when I got home from work. It looked like the tank lid had been shoved over a bit, probably by my dog bumping into the tank stand.
I had a kind of DIY lid on it, just a piece of plexiglass that left the back 1/2 inch or so uncovered. I tend to leave it off when feeding them in the morning. The tank is a 10 gallon split into 3 sections for 3 different betta. Once Spangle's tank was finished being decorated he was going into his own 5.5. I was going to do it in all red white and blue and be shamelessly in your face American about it. I have only had him about a month and a half, but I think he was my favorite. He was super chill and never flared and would follow me around, moving from one side of the tank to the other as I walked around the kitchen. I just feel really bad about it. There is knowing that betta will jump, then there is seeing a beloved pet on the floor.

I am going to work on filing the sides of the lid down so it will fit into the frame better, but is there anything else I can do to secure it? Other than tape?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Ah man i hope he's ok??

For the lid, I'd glue some parts (? improvise) to the underside of the lid where it meets the four corners of the tank if you know what i mean?

 

[Circus]

Ah man i hope he's ok??

For the lid, I'd glue some parts (? improvise) to the underside of the lid where it meets the four corners of the tank if you know what i mean?

He died, unfortunately. I do want to better secure the lid so my other betta do not jump out. I was thinking maybe velcro straps one either side, to secure the lid down?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Sorry to hear he died

Not sure if that would be a bit unsightly? You can get stick on 'feet' eg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DPMKQWC/?tag=
And stick them to the underside, where is meets the inner corners of the tank and this will prevent it from sliding off?

 

[Fishmanic]

Put a rock or something like a paperwight on top

 

[Circus]

Put a rock or something like a paperwight on top

That is so simple I can't believe I didn't actually think of it. I feel like an idiot.

 

[Circus]

I think I am going to cut a new lid out of my sheet of plexiglass. Then drill holes only where the cords need to come out. See if that works.

 

[seangee]

I like the rubber feet idea.
As an alternative you could use something like these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WMPL4M9/?tag= and use silicone to attach to the lid. May make putting the lid back on a bit fiddly.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I'm sorry for your loss hon, he was a beauty. Sending cyber hugs if wanted.

 

[CassCats]

I'm sorry for your loss. I've lost a betta to jumping too and it gutted me.

Mine had a very small 1/2 inch square hole for feeding. Like literally just a hole not a gap. My betta girl jumped out of it, of all the chances.

Its as you say. You know they can jump but it still takes you completely by surprise.