Escape proofing ideas for eels

[1911_guy]

Am looking into getting the final animal for my masterpiece...a snowflake eel.
I really wanted another tang or butterfly but it's not wise so I want to eel it up. I need your help though in eel escape proofing my aquarium.
Here's some pics that might help.
The plastic was cut out for an old overflow and the other one has been completely removed. There is just enough room between the lid and overflow intake for the SFE to climb in. Should I be worried about the eel making in there and through the siphon? What else should I do before getting the eel?

 

[psusocr1]

just use some eggcrate

 

[1911_guy]

I was thinking the smaller eels could get through it...

 

[1911_guy]

Here are a few other concerns I have...
When dripping an eel, just use a lid?
My QT only has 3 very small rocks and a huge ball of chaeto...will he be okay having nothing else to hide behind for a few weeks while I quarantine him?

 

[greymach]

how about some pvc?

 

[1911_guy]

Originally Posted by GreyMach
how about some pvc?
oh yeah...thanks by the way....that reminds me:
PVC for structure in QT
I noticed in a few pics of other tanks with morays there was large diameter PVC pipes inside the tank for eels to swim through...good idea or bad?

 

[psusocr1]

thats a fine idea.. just get some eggcrate and then put a mesh over the eggcrate, it would be easy to attach

 

[jon321]

I just buy some heavy duty plastic sheets (used for landscaping, etc) and duct tape it over any holes. Not even an octopus got out of the fortress I created

Jon

 

[1911_guy]

Originally Posted by Jon321
I just buy some heavy duty plastic sheets (used for landscaping, etc) and duct tape it over any holes. Not even an octopus got out of the fortress I created

Jon
The only problem is...I don't have a canopy and that would be very unsightly. Guess I'm going to have to build one.
Psusocr1...what do you think of this?

 

[psusocr1]

i think its an awesome idea BUT
those clear tubes will get dirty very quickly i can imagine and also
the reason why eels go into PVC is so they feel safe because they are "hidden" however if you take clear PVC they arent going to feel so "safe" in there since they can be seen so i would questions them going in there.
im also not 100% sure but i dont know if an eel would og "underground" as in under the sand.. i mean one would think he would but thats interesting..
Either way i say go for it! its a cool idea and everyone can learn alot from your experience thats for sure!

 

[1911_guy]

I got that diagram online, wish I could take credit but it wasn't MY idea.
I think just the front tube is clear, the rest is not. Even if it were it would be dark because the substrate would cover it up. I'm still deciding if I want to do it because I risk messing stuff up, I'll have to remove ALL my LR and stir up the sand pretty bad to get the tubes under there. I'll have to remove all fish too do to do this. I am considering it though.

 

[psusocr1]

should be interesting

 

[robn]

I do eggcrate with mesh glued to it.....works great.

 

[paulcoates]

you can pick this stuff up at home depot or lowes for about $20 a piece

 

[paulcoates]

just grab a set of needlenose pliers and snip of sections where your plumbing, tubes, etc... are on the back of your tank

 

[psusocr1]

thats eggcrate

 

[1911_guy]

Okay, so my LFS has had a SFE for over 6 months and I never noticed. He was always hiding and I wasn't looking for one before anyway. It has not escaped from their tank during that time even though there is a 3 inch gap between the filter and the back of the lid. Have I been getting worked up over nothing or should I still prepare my tank for an escape artist?
Psu...I think I'll pass this time on the under-substrate PVC maze. Too much could go wrong. If I have success in keeping this one I will definetly build the maze into my 390g once that gets started...probably for a larger sized eel though.