clowns stuck in overflow

sh4n

sh4n

Member
Today my 2 clownfish were found in my overflow box, ive been trying all day to get them out. the gap is so small and theres a horizontal pipe so i cant really fit a net in there. i have no idea what to do i was thinking of trying to syphon them out, im going over seas in 2 days.
the pipes go directly underneath into the sump, the top of the pipes cant be taken off. what can i do!!
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Thats a tuff one - I was thinking if you could get a plastic bag in the overflow - cut a section out of the side of the bag at the top so the fish can swim in, try to put some food in the bag to get them to go in. Good Luck
 
sh4n

sh4n

Member
i live in a small town and cant go to a hardware store today, was thinking of putting a plastic bag over the top pipe hold it with elastic bangs, block the other off with the tap underneath and raising the level high enough so they couuld swim out?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I would take the overflow pipe out, let the whole overflow drain and put a fish net under the overflow pipe in the sump. Once they get drained through, they'll end up in the fish net. I've done that once or twice!!!
The siphon is a pretty good idea. I would try that if the other doesn't work. You could always stuff your overflow with filter floss and make them come closer to the surface so that you could get them out with a fish net...
 
sh4n

sh4n

Member
my idea failed, you mean the whole overflow pipe or only the top of it? tried to take the top off wasnt sure if it could be removed or not, dosent look like it. would a 23 ml hose be to small to use to try syphon?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
If your overflow pipe isn't cemented into your bulkhead, I would remove the entire pipe and let the fish take a ride down the overflow plumbing. Catch him in a net before he lands in your sump. Easy as pie. :D Let your return pump keep running. Eventually, they will slide down the pipe.
 
sh4n

sh4n

Member
thanks for all your help! i was asking the guy ibought the tank from about the pipes if they could be taken out, while i was waiting for reply i decided to overfill the tank just above the overflow, block all pipes and put a pump in my display tank and the hose at the bottom of the overflow, making the clowns stay near the top, after 15 mins they swam back.. !!
 
sh4n

sh4n

Member
Oh god. and i woke up this morning and a clown is in there again. i had gutter guard up around the top of the overflow so i have no idea how he got in! trying the pump idea again. haha
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Ugh! I have an anthias that keeps getting into mine no matter what I try. I finally gave up, she wants to live in the overflow, she can have at it.
 
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