Clown rescue

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 09:34 AM

I have an AGA 150 with dual overflows in the back (not the corner overflow model. The top of the overflow is aprox. 9" by 4" and the overflow box is 30 inches deep. It has a 2inch durso style stanpipe from 2 inches above waterline to bottom bulkhead and a 1 1/2 return pipe from bottom up over top. This leaves about 1 - 2 inches between /around standpipes. In this small space I have a 1 1/2 inch clown fish swimming. I can not remotely fit a net in there to get himand in fact only even see him rarely. I am thinking he has been in there since yesterday evening - I did not see him at last nights feeding and when I did not see him this morning I started searching. How in the H@ll can I get him out? The tank is 6 inches from wall so even if I take off all lights and canopy it will be very difficult to reach in there standing on stepstool leaning over tank from front. It is not a practical idea to dismantle tank - I am not taking down a 150 and jeopardizing all other fish and corals to rescue the clown.

Any creative ideas?????

Thanks,

Reuben

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:25 AM

Can you pull out the standpipe and let him ride down to the sump?

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 10:25 AM

These are pics of the overflow containing the clownfish if it helps to visualize situation.......

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:26 AM

Yeah, just pull out the standpipe. You might have to take some water out of the tank/sump before you do lest it overflow the sump, but I've rescued a few fish that way.

Jenn

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Can you pull out the standpipe and let him ride down to the sump?

no - my sump wont hold 150 gals--- I have been hoping he would just go down the pipe - I took off cover and have it draining into sump directly but he does not seem interested in going on that ride atall......

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 10:30 AM

the bottom and middle of overflow is slotted - seemed like a nice feature at the time- but it would involve draining tank to do that.

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:31 AM

Your sump doesn't need to hold 150 gallons. When you pull out the standpipe, the water volume in the overflow box will drain into the sump - perhaps 2-4 gallons at most. Otherwise, what would happen when your power went off?

You should just be able to pull the pipe and he'll get sucked down into the sump.

Jenn

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwdandald

the bottom and middle of overflow is slotted - seemed like a nice feature at the time- but it would involve draining tank to do that.

It's not slotted straight through. The outside wall of the overflow is slotted, but it pushes water up and over the dam on the top inside rim of the box. Trust me on this - otherwise if that was the case, everybody would have to have sump with water volume equal to their tank.

Unless you modified it, it's not going to drain your tank. You SHOULD have break-siphon holes drilled in your returns though, because looking at that configuration, it will suck a lot of water back down via the returns if you turn off the pump or if the power shuts off.

Jenn

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:35 AM

See what I mean? It's not all through.

Jenn

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 10:38 AM

Quote:

The outside wall of the overflow is slotted, but it pushes water up and over the dam on the top inside rim of the box.

True- I did not think about the second wall in there! (duh!) Yes - there are syphon breaks power out has never been any problem at all. I will try the standpipe removal - -thanks for making me see the obvious!

JennM · 09-05-2004, 10:53 AM

No problem

Let us know how you make out!

Jenn

rwdandald · 09-05-2004, 08:49 PM

Well - tried syphon - did not work -he is simply stronger than the syphon and by the time the water gets low enough in overflow box to corner him the syphon breaks. Tried to remove standpipe to let him drain into sump and I can not get standpipe off - I am almost thinking I glued it for some reason when I put it in - (no - I dont know why) and I am simply not going to try the bulkhead unless I have one readily available in case I damage that one- plus I put in bulkheads befor with tank away from wall and reasonable room to work which simply does not exist in the present location. He seems very happy there - maybe at some point he will go down the overflow/standpipe to sump. I still do not know how he got in there - I have never heard of clowns being jumpers - but he managed to get over a 3/4" lip above water level to get in some how. If anybody else has an idea please feel free to share......

salt creepette · 09-07-2004, 05:15 PM

i heard a story of a yellow tang living in an overflow for a matter of months before he was discovered. does the clown ever swim to the top? can you get one of those tiny nets and feed him and see if he comes up to eat? then swoop him out? I cant think of any other suggestions. I always cover my overflows (styrofoam cut to fit) for this very reason. my dumb firefish had to get rescued three times before I learned. luckily i have the larger square overflows and the back outsides of them are clear glass.

rwdandald · 09-07-2004, 08:58 PM

Yes - he comes to top to eat but I have had no luck netting him- he actually seems very happy there - I have a couple ideas to try now - either fishing him out with a tiny barbless hook or to slowly stuff clean plastic bags into bottom of overflow until he is pushed up to top and can't swim away - I will get to one of those (leaning towards plastic bag method though I really like fishing...

) in the next day or so - Thanks for the thoughts!

salt creepette · 09-07-2004, 09:02 PM

wow i never would have thought of the plastic bag idea, that is brilliant. i hope it works, be careful he doesnt get stuck between/underneath the plastic! better have a helper handy with a flashlight!

i'll cross my fingers for ya.