Fish in overflow

[rockies]

I recently posted a humours account of my first episode of a fish making it into my sump.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=194285
Well, the Damsel in the story has made it a habit and gotten into the overflow 3 times this week. Twice it made it to the sump. This morning I found her in the sump quite badly beaten up with a very red gill on one side and lots of missing scales.
I figured that a smart fish would learn to avoid an area associated with such trauma, but alas that is not the case. After looking on this board and thinking about the situation I believe some egg crate or large gauge plastic mesh is necessary to shield the overflow to prevent this in the future.
It will have the added benefit of keeping snails out of the overflow also. (I wouldn't want my Durso stand-pipe to become clogged.)

 

[dischirm]

Does she take a pebble with her? Maybe you should have named her Shark-Bait?

 

[trainfever]

I have a pink tipped anemone that has done that twice. The amazing thing is that it is going through a strainer , then through 3 feet of ribbed pool hose, then into a 3/4 pvc tee, through a reducing elbow and then through about 18" of 1/2 pvc pipe and finally through a 1/2" pvc tee, where it is dumped into the refugium. Maybe it saw "Finding Nemo" and thinks that's the way to the ocean.

 

[tscuda]

Maybe it just wants a lil excitment. Gee that water slide is fun.

 

[rockies]

I created an egg-crate barrier. I fashioned a kind of cat-walk around the overflow just above the return. It hits the overflow slots just about in the middle and is about 1.25" wide. Since I have an corner overflow I just had to make an 'L' shape. Attached the barrier to the overflow via zip ties around the teeth of the overflow. The only drawback is the white egg-crate against a dark blue background. I figure it will get corraline on it eventually so probably not a big deal.
It's been a week now and no more incidents.
And, yes, lots of Nemo analogies came to mind immediately on this little adventure.

 

[t11t5]

I had trouble also with fish going through my overflow box. I bent some stainless steel screen with 1/4" holes to hang on the edge. I can take it off and on as needed. The only bad thing is that bigger debri cant go down it, so I clean them about once a week or as needed. Here is a pic.

 

[mrdc]

Originally Posted by Rockies
I created an egg-crate barrier. I fashioned a kind of cat-walk around the overflow just above the return. It hits the overflow slots just about in the middle and is about 1.25" wide. Since I have an corner overflow I just had to make an 'L' shape. Attached the barrier to the overflow via zip ties around the teeth of the overflow. The only drawback is the white egg-crate against a dark blue background. I figure it will get corraline on it eventually so probably not a big deal.
It's been a week now and no more incidents.
And, yes, lots of Nemo analogies came to mind immediately on this little adventure.

Hey Rockies,
Can you show me a picture of what yours looks like. I am having the same trouble with my yellow watchman goby. He goes straight into the box when the lights go out.
Thanks.

 

[t11t5]

Could I get one too, I want to see something different. My idea plugs up with bigger stuff. Thanks

 

[mikeyjer]

I find my little nemo going in and out of the overflow box, I belive he thinks it's fun to do. I'm gonna be removing that overflow box soon. I just bought a new sump/fuge system and the cravice on the overflow box is thinner then the one I already have, no way any fish can swim through that. But I am going to put something on top of it so they won't jump in. :happyfish

 

[t11t5]

Originally Posted by Mikeyjer
I find my little nemo going in and out of the overflow box, I belive he thinks it's fun to do. I'm gonna be removing that overflow box soon. I just bought a new sump/fuge system and the cravice on the overflow box is thinner then the one I already have, no way any fish can swim through that. But I am going to put something on top of it so they won't jump in. :happyfish

What brand overflow did you purchase? I might check into that idea.

 

[my way]

Originally Posted by t11t5
I had trouble also with fish going through my overflow box. I bent some stainless steel screen with 1/4" holes to hang on the edge. I can take it off and on as needed. The only bad thing is that bigger debri cant go down it, so I clean them about once a week or as needed. Here is a pic.
Stainless is not a good choics for a SW tank, you should use plastic.

 

[dogstar]

Gutter Guard, best stuff.
I quickly made this example useing some spare stuff. Cuts easy with regular scissors.
Get it at Lowes, ect. in the roofing dept. Cheap too.

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by t11t5
What brand overflow did you purchase? I might check into that idea.
I just buy the sump/fuge system from the popular auction site. It comes with a overflow box. :happyfish