unique solution to a problem

So Cal shaggy · 03/29/2006, 11:21 PM

OK I keep seeing posts pop up every so often regarding fish jumping into the overflow so I thought I would post the solution I came up with. First look into or feel around the inside of the overflow to see if there is a small lip just below slits in the top of the overflow box if there is this is an easy mod if not you will have to spend a little more time on it. If there is a lip cut a piece of plexiglass just small enough to fit into the overflow box but larger than the lip drill the piece with a bunch of holes and set it inot the overflow box. If there is no lip inside the overflow box cut some pieces of PVC pipe just long enough to come to the bottom of the overflow slits and zip tie them to the bottom of the piece of plexiglass so that it wll sit on top of the pipes and not fall off and you are done no more fish will be able to go past the plexiglass strainer it also quiets the overflowing water as well here are a few pics the zip ties on it are so I can pull it out for maintenance.

strainer in the overflow box

strainer out of the overflow for cleaning

ste6168 · 03/29/2006, 11:25 PM

how is this one noise, have you thought about maximum GPH through it?

So Cal shaggy · 03/29/2006, 11:37 PM

The noise is reduced to the sound of a tabletop fountain and the flow is not reduced at all with all the holes in it the water flows right through it if I do not clean it monthly though algae builds up on it and clogs the holes and reduces the flow but as long as I soak it in vinegar once a month the flow is the same as if the strainer is not there.

Zoalander · 03/29/2006, 11:49 PM

Not a bad idea but I would make the holes bigger.

chImerAnz · 03/29/2006, 11:57 PM

Soooo, the fish just sits on top of the overflow and dries out instead?!

Brandon's Reef · 03/30/2006, 12:03 AM

they don't dry out if there is water flowing.

So Cal shaggy · 03/30/2006, 12:12 AM

no, they do not dry out there is water flowing across the plate with a depth of about 1/4"-1/8" I took the picture with the return pump turned off to get a good pic of the plate. Since I put it into the overflow I have found two separate fish in it still alive one had just jumped in it and I heard it splashing around and the second I found in the morning so I have no idea how long it was in there but it was none the worse for wear.

mg426 · 03/30/2006, 03:01 AM

Pretty nifty idea.

Mouse · 03/30/2006, 12:21 PM

Why not raise it up to just above the water line? I plan on doing this with mine and have a small {1/4"} lip extending past the overflow wall. I am hoping this will keep the overflow clear of animals and algae by blocking the light.

paulallen · 03/30/2006, 02:19 PM

The problem you are going to run into mouse is what other people were hinting at. Yes a "shield" like you are talking about will stop fish from getting if, but what happens if they get up there and cant flop off... they cook. The best way to do it would be to build something that would extend the overflow box up closer to the light, then you could cover it, as it should be high enough that the fish cant get up there.

03/29/2006, 11:21 PM	#1
So Cal shaggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Anaheim, Ca Posts: 395	unique solution to a problem OK I keep seeing posts pop up every so often regarding fish jumping into the overflow so I thought I would post the solution I came up with. First look into or feel around the inside of the overflow to see if there is a small lip just below slits in the top of the overflow box if there is this is an easy mod if not you will have to spend a little more time on it. If there is a lip cut a piece of plexiglass just small enough to fit into the overflow box but larger than the lip drill the piece with a bunch of holes and set it inot the overflow box. If there is no lip inside the overflow box cut some pieces of PVC pipe just long enough to come to the bottom of the overflow slits and zip tie them to the bottom of the piece of plexiglass so that it wll sit on top of the pipes and not fall off and you are done no more fish will be able to go past the plexiglass strainer it also quiets the overflowing water as well here are a few pics the zip ties on it are so I can pull it out for maintenance. strainer in the overflow box strainer out of the overflow for cleaning __________________ Thanks, Jeff "You go inside the cage, cage goes in the water, you go in the water, shark's in the water ... our shark. Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies . . ." Current Tank Info: 135 gal reef tank, 50 gal DIY sump Last edited by So Cal shaggy; 03/29/2006 at 11:32 PM.

03/29/2006, 11:37 PM	#3
So Cal shaggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Anaheim, Ca Posts: 395	The noise is reduced to the sound of a tabletop fountain and the flow is not reduced at all with all the holes in it the water flows right through it if I do not clean it monthly though algae builds up on it and clogs the holes and reduces the flow but as long as I soak it in vinegar once a month the flow is the same as if the strainer is not there. __________________ Thanks, Jeff "You go inside the cage, cage goes in the water, you go in the water, shark's in the water ... our shark. Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies . . ." Current Tank Info: 135 gal reef tank, 50 gal DIY sump

03/29/2006, 11:49 PM	#4
Zoalander Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oak Park Illinois Posts: 1,571	Not a bad idea but I would make the holes bigger. __________________ Previously known as Vetter1980 Current Tank Info: 36x36x10 frag tank

03/29/2006, 11:57 PM	#5
chImerAnz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NZL Posts: 136	Soooo, the fish just sits on top of the overflow and dries out instead?! __________________ Everything you need to know - MARINE and REEF TANK FAQ! http://www.chimera.co.nz/marinefaq/

03/30/2006, 12:03 AM	#6
Brandon's Reef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Orange Park, FL Posts: 766	they don't dry out if there is water flowing. __________________ Brandon Fields, PROUD HURRICANE SURVIVOR Current Tank Info: 24gallon Aquapod 65 coralife super skimmer 1x150w 14k metal halide on 30g oceanic stand 54gallon corner bowfront RR, Current Outer Orbit 1x150 HQI PC supplemented, ATO, Deltec AP600 skimmer,100 pounds of Marshal Island Live Rock, SPS domintated

03/29/2006, 11:25 PM	#2
ste6168 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,066	how is this one noise, have you thought about maximum GPH through it?

03/30/2006, 12:12 AM	#7
So Cal shaggy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Anaheim, Ca Posts: 395	strainer plate no, they do not dry out there is water flowing across the plate with a depth of about 1/4"-1/8" I took the picture with the return pump turned off to get a good pic of the plate. Since I put it into the overflow I have found two separate fish in it still alive one had just jumped in it and I heard it splashing around and the second I found in the morning so I have no idea how long it was in there but it was none the worse for wear. __________________ Thanks, Jeff "You go inside the cage, cage goes in the water, you go in the water, shark's in the water ... our shark. Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies . . ." Current Tank Info: 135 gal reef tank, 50 gal DIY sump

03/30/2006, 03:01 AM	#8
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Pretty nifty idea. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

03/30/2006, 12:21 PM	#9
Mouse UnRegistered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rio Linda CA Posts: 739	Why not raise it up to just above the water line? I plan on doing this with mine and have a small {1/4"} lip extending past the overflow wall. I am hoping this will keep the overflow clear of animals and algae by blocking the light. __________________ Somedays it just isnt worth gnawing through the straps...... Current Tank Info: 125g > < this close to being set up

03/30/2006, 02:19 PM	#10
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	The problem you are going to run into mouse is what other people were hinting at. Yes a "shield" like you are talking about will stop fish from getting if, but what happens if they get up there and cant flop off... they cook. The best way to do it would be to build something that would extend the overflow box up closer to the light, then you could cover it, as it should be high enough that the fish cant get up there.