How to keep overflows from clogging?

[seove]

What are your methods for keeping overflows from clogging while keeping small fish and fry from getting sucked in? In my FW, I wove a strip of pot scrubber material in the overflow box teeth and for my PVC overflow, I'm using a sponge tube. However, I'm getting a little clogging at the teeth of the overflow box. I'm also getting a buildup of detritus inside the overflow box. I need to think about trying to get some of it out at some point. Sometimes I jiggle the U-tubes and some of it gets sucked up.

 

[Sk8r]

I use plastic needlepoint canvas for a lot of apps. Hobby store, sewing section. Cuts with scissors, stitches with fishing line.

The problem with most overflows I've used is that there are slots low down and unreachable in the double-walled arrangement, and there are some fish that just can't be kept out of those. You could skin them over with the canvas, but they would clog, from coralline if not from other issues.

 

[pledosophy]

For keeping fry from going down the drain? Depends on the type of fry, but micron socks, and you will have to clean them often, especially for the food amounts it seems to take to raise most fry

 

[seove]

Thanks for the idea. I think I saw your idea a few months ago but haven't gotten around to trying it. The pot scrubber material woven into the OF box teeth seems to work for me but every once in a while a Dwarf Puffer gets inside. I've had it for about a year and I've had one get through about every 3 months. However not in a long time. Perhaps it being a little clogged may be helpful. I probably need to redo it.

 

[seove]

For keeping fry from going down the drain? Depends on the type of fry, but micron socks, and you will have to clean them often, especially for the food amounts it seems to take to raise most fry

Thanks. The fry aren't my biggest concern really. They sometimes end up in the DT by getting sucked in the sump pump. I do worry about the Dwarf Puffers but keeping them out causes the overflows to clog faster than normal.

 

[seove]

Here are a few pics.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10118&pictureid=70181

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10118&pictureid=70182

Thanks. The fry aren't my biggest concern really. They sometimes end up in the DT by getting sucked in the sump pump. I do worry about the Dwarf Puffers but keeping them out causes the overflows to clog faster than normal.