how to keep wrasse out of overflow

[CoralWealth]

So I have no problem keeping my wrasse in my tank (knock on wood) with the netting top I made.

However, they still get into my overflow sometimes which is a real pain to get them out, if not impossible. They get into the overflow because there is like 2 inches of room from the top of the overflow cover to the netting.

How do you guys stop this? Any Suggestions?

 

[TUSI]

So I have no problem keeping my wrasse in my tank (knock on wood) with the netting top I made.

However, they still get into my overflow sometimes which is a real pain to get them out, if not impossible. They get into the overflow because there is like 2 inches of room from the top of the overflow cover to the netting.

How do you guys stop this? Any Suggestions?

What I did was, I glued on the inside of overflow a plastic mesh large enough to allow water go into overflow but small enough for fish not to pass through the slots. if there is a space between top of overflow and top cover then extend this plastic mesh or add a pc of acrylic. I had same issues with fish in the overflow. they find every little crevice

 

[CoralWealth]

What I did was, I glued on the inside of overflow a plastic mesh large enough to allow water go into overflow but small enough for fish not to pass through the slots. if there is a space between top of overflow and top cover then extend this plastic mesh or add a pc of acrylic. I had same issues with fish in the overflow. they find every little crevice

Really good idea! Only thing I am worried about is somehow the wrasse getting stuck on top of the overflow and under the tank cover or do you think he will jump/move around enough to get back into the water?

 

[TUSI]

Really good idea! Only thing I am worried about is somehow the wrasse getting stuck on top of the overflow and under the tank cover or do you think he will jump/move around enough to get back into the water?

You can extend that space with acrylic pc or mesh . That’s what I did

 

[lapin]

What I found works well is to use egg crate with netting attached. I used tie wraps. Make a panel to fit the length of the space and all the way to the top. You can then clamp that in place with a pair of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Excel-7-Inch...&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0006O5KNW&th=1

If you are a acrylic pro you can make a sliding panel, with teeth if needed, and attach that with some nylon thumb screws to the overflow.
Like this
https://reefbuilders.com/2014/12/18/reeftoys-adjustable-sump-baffles-diy-fly/

 

[CoralWealth]

What I found works well is to use egg crate with netting attached. I used tie wraps. Make a panel to fit the length of the space and all the way to the top. You can then clamp that in place with a pair of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Excel-7-Inch...&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0006O5KNW&th=1

If you are a acrylic pro you can make a sliding panel, with teeth if needed, and attach that with some nylon thumb screws to the overflow.
Like this
https://reefbuilders.com/2014/12/18/reeftoys-adjustable-sump-baffles-diy-fly/

This is a good idea, however then what happens when I need to move the top net to mess with corals or feed the fish? Do you happen to have a picture of your tank and how you did this? I am kind of confused on what exactly you mean by this, I can't really picture it.

Definitely not an acrylic pro haha

 

[CoralWealth]

You can extend that space with acrylic pc or mesh . That’s what I did

Do you have a picture of yours?

 

[ZoWhat]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-E-O-6-in-x-20-ft-Plastic-Gutter-Guard-VX620/202518614

I use this stuff that's easily found at Home Depot or Lowe's

It's called "Plastic Gutter Guard"

I built a WALL from the overflow edge UP. If my fish try to jump into the overflow....BOING! they bounce off the mesh like a foulball baseball bouncing off the net that's there to protect spectators down the 1st and 3rd base lines.



.

 

[Softhammer]

I cut a piece of black acrylic and set it on top of the overflow. Awesome side effect is no algae grows back there anymore either as it it kept dark. Wrasses haven’t gotten in either, after previously flushing them out 7 times prior.

 

[Katrina71]

I cut a piece of black acrylic and set it on top of the overflow. Awesome side effect is no algae grows back there anymore either as it it kept dark. Wrasses haven’t gotten in either, after previously flushing them out 7 times prior.

Pic please?

 

[CoralWealth]

awesome! thanks everyone, keep the ideas coming

 

[Softhammer]

Here it is.

 

[Softhammer]

Exceptionally complicated and Apex compatible.

 

[lapin]

So here is my home made screen. It has clear screen, tie wrapped to the egg crate. I painted the egg crate black. It also acts a an algae scrubber because........

.....I have an external overflow that has a basket of macro growing in it, with a light. On this tank I needed to block the exit from the tank to the overflow.
On my previous tank, the overflow was internal and centered in the tank. I did the same thing. I added wings to cover the ends to keep some smaller fish out of the overflow. I clamped it to the teeth rather than the top of the tank that you see in the picture.