Six-line in the overflows

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2008, 08:52 AM

I have a pretty plump six-line wrasse in my 180G. Somehow the little turkey managed to get into one of the overflows... Of course, he is getting plenty of flow and food, but I hate to leave the little guy in there.

When I turn off the return pump, the water in the overflow drops about an inch which makes it impossible for him to swim back in the main tank...

There has to be an easy solution, without tearing the plumbing apart...

Forget about using fish nets - he just huddles between the MegaFlow pipes until the coast is clear.

Any success stories on how to get him out?

LL

qy7400 · 07/22/2008, 09:10 AM

I had to cap off the plumbing and pull both pipes from the overflow, still wasn't fun but was able to net mine a lot easier. Since I have added a cover to prevent this from happening again, was the last but not first time.

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by qy7400
I had to cap off the plumbing and pull both pipes from the overflow, still wasn't fun but was able to net mine a lot easier. Since I have added a cover to prevent this from happening again, was the last but not first time.

Aaaarrrgh... not what I wanted to hear...

Still hoping someone has a brilliant idea that I would never think of...

LL

asm481 · 07/22/2008, 09:26 AM

If you didn't glue the tubes in the overflow just yank out the drain and snag him in your sump.

nebraskareef · 07/22/2008, 09:29 AM

you could put the caps on the overflow and be ready to shut the return pump off, and just kinda scoop him out or let him swim over...

rbird · 07/22/2008, 10:05 AM

I've had the same problem with a six line in the past and currently have a royal gramma living in an overflow in a 120 gallon tank. The six line eventually made its way to my sump, but the royal gramma has been living in the overflow for months and has evaded every effort at rescue.

I don't think there is an easy solution. In my case I think dissasembly is the only option. I can't recall if I glued my pipes or not, but they have at least become fixed in place over time.

Good luck.

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nebraskareef
you could put the caps on the overflow and be ready to shut the return pump off, and just kinda scoop him out or let him swim over...

Hey there's an idea... I could just raise the Magaflows to the top of the "slots" and see if he's smart enough to swim back into the tank...

Thanks.

LL

toaster77 · 07/22/2008, 10:42 AM

try catching it with the lights dimmed or off, it might help to use two nets also

good luck!

OliverM3 · 07/22/2008, 12:06 PM

What about just pulling the sand pipe and letting him dump in to your filter/sump?

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OliverM3
What about just pulling the sand pipe and letting him dump in to your filter/sump?

That's a possibility... the overflows dump into a filter sock where hopefully I could return him to the DT.

Do those Mega Flow stand pipes just pull out? I know they're adjustable... are they difficult to get back in?

LL

OliverM3 · 07/22/2008, 12:34 PM

If you didn't glue them. I pull mine from time to time just to do some cleaning.
Just make sure you compensate for the extra water in the sump you'll get a couple gallons extra in the sump once you pull the pipe.
I haven't had any problems slipping them back in and restarting the tank.

Lightsluvr · 07/22/2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OliverM3
If you didn't glue them. I pull mine from time to time just to do some cleaning.
Just make sure you compensate for the extra water in the sump you'll get a couple gallons extra in the sump once you pull the pipe.
I haven't had any problems slipping them back in and restarting the tank.

I didn't realize you could completely pull the overflow out... live and learn. Amazing, especially since I installed the darn things!

Thanks for the tip... I'll remove the sock and put a fish net under the flex hose!

LL

heller792 · 07/22/2008, 03:19 PM

ive pulled a watchman goby out of my overflow 6 times in the last 2 weeks with no probs, and my tank is 30 inch tall. First turn your return pump off then syphon all but q inch of the water. use a small net to go down to the bottom then leave it standing upright against one of the tank walls, I then use a stick to chase it aroun the overflow untill it goes into the net then wip it out. Takes me about 5 mins each time. I realize you have plumbing to contend with but I have a durso standpipe which takes even more room up than usual.

hope this helps dude.

heller792 · 07/22/2008, 03:21 PM

all but 1 inch

07/22/2008, 08:52 AM	#1
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Six-line in the overflows I have a pretty plump six-line wrasse in my 180G. Somehow the little turkey managed to get into one of the overflows... Of course, he is getting plenty of flow and food, but I hate to leave the little guy in there. When I turn off the return pump, the water in the overflow drops about an inch which makes it impossible for him to swim back in the main tank... There has to be an easy solution, without tearing the plumbing apart... Forget about using fish nets - he just huddles between the MegaFlow pipes until the coast is clear. Any success stories on how to get him out? LL

07/22/2008, 09:10 AM	#2
qy7400 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 1,514	I had to cap off the plumbing and pull both pipes from the overflow, still wasn't fun but was able to net mine a lot easier. Since I have added a cover to prevent this from happening again, was the last but not first time. __________________ -Joe Current Tank Info: 380G now with water and fish

07/22/2008, 09:29 AM	#5
nebraskareef MFCEO Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,495 Blog Entries: 1	you could put the caps on the overflow and be ready to shut the return pump off, and just kinda scoop him out or let him swim over... __________________ Originally Posted by tmz "Now if I drink the vodka the colors do look much better than if I drink the vinegar."

07/22/2008, 09:26 AM	#4
asm481 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kenosha Wisconsin Posts: 593	If you didn't glue the tubes in the overflow just yank out the drain and snag him in your sump.

07/22/2008, 10:05 AM	#6
rbird Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 63	I've had the same problem with a six line in the past and currently have a royal gramma living in an overflow in a 120 gallon tank. The six line eventually made its way to my sump, but the royal gramma has been living in the overflow for months and has evaded every effort at rescue. I don't think there is an easy solution. In my case I think dissasembly is the only option. I can't recall if I glued my pipes or not, but they have at least become fixed in place over time. Good luck.

07/22/2008, 10:42 AM	#8
toaster77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 323	try catching it with the lights dimmed or off, it might help to use two nets also good luck!

07/22/2008, 12:06 PM	#9
OliverM3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 616	What about just pulling the sand pipe and letting him dump in to your filter/sump?

07/22/2008, 12:34 PM	#11
OliverM3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 616	If you didn't glue them. I pull mine from time to time just to do some cleaning. Just make sure you compensate for the extra water in the sump you'll get a couple gallons extra in the sump once you pull the pipe. I haven't had any problems slipping them back in and restarting the tank.

07/22/2008, 03:19 PM	#13
heller792 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: wigan Posts: 652	ive pulled a watchman goby out of my overflow 6 times in the last 2 weeks with no probs, and my tank is 30 inch tall. First turn your return pump off then syphon all but q inch of the water. use a small net to go down to the bottom then leave it standing upright against one of the tank walls, I then use a stick to chase it aroun the overflow untill it goes into the net then wip it out. Takes me about 5 mins each time. I realize you have plumbing to contend with but I have a durso standpipe which takes even more room up than usual. hope this helps dude.

07/22/2008, 03:21 PM	#14
heller792 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: wigan Posts: 652	all but 1 inch