Is a top needed?

[Bri1218]

Hello everyone!
I was planning on building a 100g tank for my common pleco, but it is too hard for me to figure out. As I was at the store, I looked at a few pond tubs. I live in an apartment, and thought maybe I can keep the tub indoors? My main question though, is I heard plecos will jump out and thats why they need a top on their tank, is this true? Or could this work? I know its a bit strange but it is much cheaper than building or buying a huge tank. Thanks for any advice!

 

[sealife]

I had a tank with no top, a while ago, and my bristlenose would always jump into the hang on back filter.
One bristlenose did eventually jump out, in middle of night while I was asleep, and I found it next morning ;/

Not sure if that's with all plecos/bristlenose fish though.

 

[Rivercats]

I don't have lids on my tanks, even my big 220g which has a BNP and Whiptail cats. I've summered large pleco's in outside ponds and honestly in 30+ years I've never had a pleco jump ship. In 07 I had a new pond put in right up against the sunroom and had a couple 100g plastic ponds in the sunroom housing fish and a pleco during construction and never had an issue with the pleco. He was around 10 or more inches.

 

[Fishlover3578]

Oh lol tht would be cool haha can you have a above ground pond ? Just keep it outside with a heater ow much would it cost if I want a few comets or koi or goldfish ? Wonder if roomates would let me .. We have a nice back porch and are renting what would cost be?

 

[Rivercats]

They are too shallow to keep fish outside in the cold winter. I have a 4 season glass heated and cooled sunroom. Plus they are a PITA to keep the water filtered.