How do you keep your overflows clean?

[jaxteller007]

I was moving some snails to the back glass where we have some GHA and noticed how dirty our corner overflows are right now. Outside of putting a shop vac or siphon down them to clean them what are some other ways you clean them or keep them clean? I've found snails back there before that got in there on their own but never thought about putting any in there on purpose. I figure that's a bad idea since they could end up in your overflows.

 

[spfahnestock]

Honestly I don't touch mine and never have on any of my previous tanks. What grows in there stays in there.

 

[NB Reefer]

I like throwing some CUC in there to take care of what inevitably gets in there.

 

[jaxteller007]

I like throwing some CUC in there to take care of what inevitably gets in there.

Do you worry about them getting into your drains and sump?

 

[jaxteller007]

Honestly I don't touch mine and never have on any of my previous tanks. What grows in there stays in there.

I would but on our previous tank had a mass of worms and organic crap in there.

 

[NB Reefer]

Not really worried about them getting into the sump. Usually I have stuff living down there. More worried about clogging drains. You can always add a screen. Just have to make sure you clean. I also have a dedicated reef shop vac I use to help get in those spaces if needed.

 

[jaxteller007]

Not really worried about them getting into the sump. Usually I have stuff living down there. More worried about clogging drains. You can always add a screen. Just have to make sure you clean. I also have a dedicated reef shop vac I use to help get in those spaces if needed.

I'll probably try throwing a couple snails in there once we get some more delivered. I have a few snails living down in the sump as is.

 

[Albertan22]

I always just drop a single hermit crab in there to help deal with detritus accumulation and don’t worry about it after that. I just broke down a tank I had running for 6 years and found that the overflow crab was still alive and well down there after all that time.

 

[jaxteller007]

I always just drop a single hermit crab in there to help deal with detritus accumulation and don’t worry about it after that. I just broke down a tank I had running for 6 years and found that the overflow crab was still alive and well down there after all that time.

Lord knows we have some bigger hermits that could probably thrive in there. Ideally I'd like to put a couple snails on the glass as well. Reckon I'll try and see how it goes.

 

[Bubblehead8292]

I use a slim overbox with no external box or durso pipes, etc. Main drain and emergency drain integrated into one unit. My flow through the box is as high as the return pump. It keeps the box flushed clear and a simple mesh or mesh block keeps the fish and snails out of it.