HELP!!!!! Snowflake Eel trapped in overflow

[RealWorld]

Hi All, my 30 inch snowflake eel went missing and I found him today at the bottom of my overflow box. The problem is that my overflow box is rather tall ( 42”) and I can’t get a net to the bottom of it. Does anyone have any ideas on how best to recover him. I tried to get some food to him while he was sitting at the bottom of the overflow, but he’s not interested at all as he seems quite stressed. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

Just pull the drain tubes and get ready for him to end up in your sump.

 

[blaxsun]

While I like the marble idea, how do you get the marbles out after?

 

[workhz]

While I like the marble idea, how do you get the marbles out after?

Pull drain or shop vac?

 

[Chrisv.]

While I like the marble idea, how do you get the marbles out after?

And then there is the concern of the unevenly applied weight of ~15 gallons of glass. Seems risky, depending on the tank construction

 

[workhz]

How’s the eel?

 

[RealWorld]

GOOD NEWS!!! THE EEL IS OUT & SAFE!!

Sorry for not updating the eel status sooner as It’s been quite a busy week. I was able to get the eel out a couple of days after my last post on Sep. 22, 2021.

As you all recall, the challenge was the fact that the 6”X10”X42” overflow had 3 pipes running through it (drain, return and one for auto top off), so getting a net in there and maneuvering it was impossible. I ended going with the “Elevator” idea, which ended up working. As shown in the attached pictures, I cut a 5.5”X9.5” piece out of clear plexiglass with openings to fit around the pipes and strings attached at 4 corners. Once I got the piece to the bottom and under the eel, I put another solid piece on top of it to cover the openings near the edge. Granted, it took about a dozen tries as the piece would tilt just enough for the eel to slip back down to the bottom of the overflow, but I was able to keep it level on one of the attempts to get him up close to the surface enough to grab him and pull him back into the tank. Yes, I was wearing thick gloves. Lol. Anyways, all is good now and the 30”snowflake eel is back in the DT. Thanks for all your support and suggestions. The elevator idea was great.

 

[RealWorld]

Here is the top view of the overflow box and the pipes in it.

 

[workhz]

I will take full credit for the elevator idea .

However, I was really hoping for a video of an eel getting flushed down the drain hole into the sump.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Hi, I helped brainstorm a similar situation with a clown fish going over and into the overflow. Purchase a bunch of marbles…yes, marbles. Begin to put the marbles down into the overflow and before too long your eel will be within reach as the floor of the overflow rises. It may just swim or jump back into your tank. Good luck! Hope this works.

That's the "The Crow and the Pitcher". I love it! You've just shown a real-world reefing application for one of Aesop's fables.

 

[Mywifeisgunnakillme]

I wanted to see the wet dry vac used somehow, but alls well that ends well!

"Honey, what do u need the vacuum for?"

"Oh, nothing... just vacuuming up a snowflake"

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]

I live in the country so take it for what it’s worth….

snake grabber pole

 

[HeyLookItsCaps]