overflow cover???

[becon776]

hey peoples,
I was just wondering what or if people are using to cover their overflows in their RR tanks. Mine has always been open and the hair algae in there CONSTANTLY builds up sometimes to the point where it floats my durso pipe out of it's spot. I have always ignored it and it drives my tang and foxface CRAZY bc they cant get to it. I literally scrape it off with my fingernails and throw hair algae into my tank!! (boy five years ago I would've died for that situation) It's almost like a mini refugium/ algae scrubber which I guess is good.
But, I need PO4 in my tank. There is literally none. NO3 = zero. So I am thinking that maybe it's time to make a lil less maintenance (cleaning it is a PITA) and just wondering what others are doing if anything.... :reading:

 

[sg1838]

Well, I just made one with a piece of gutter guard from Home Depot. I bought one of these, peeled off the window screen from the back side, and cut it with a pair of scissors to match the shape of the overflow:

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Roofing-Gutters-Gutter-Parts-Accessories-Gutter-Guards/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zar5e/R-100020939/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I then secured it with two small nylon tie wraps. It works fine for me, but I only wanted to keep critters out of the overflow. I don't think it will stop the algae from growing in there, if that's what you are looking to do.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

gutter guard will keep critters out; aluminum foil will block the light and slow down algae growth.

 

[superkat]

EllieSuz uses something from JoAnn's I think....she posted a pic somewhere... I covered mine, after my hawkfish decided to jump, with plastic screening...but starting to see some algae growth.

 

[TruReef]

I cut a piece of acrylic and painted it black to block the light. works great..

 

[becon776]

I've gotta get on this "workin with acrylic" train.

 

[Capt_Cully]

aluminum foil will block the light and slow down algae growth.

I'm an aluminum foil guy, myself. It's amazing how much crap grows back there, and how much doesn't with the absence of light.

 

[drparker]

I bought a cheap black plastic garbage can from wally world and cut a piece out of the side to fit over the overflow

 

[superkat]

I bought a cheap black plastic garbage can from wally world and cut a piece out of the side to fit over the overflow

not only do i like that idea....i love your avatar.

 

[jched824]

piece of black acrylic...and i used a jigsaw to cut the half circle for the overflow

 

[Maraschiello]

whats the best way to clean the inside of the overflow box? Mine looks scary

 

[becon776]

I am liking the garbage can idea. In fact seems like an old rubbermaid would prolly do the trick just as good. again, ockham's razor applies. so simple. Now I am interested to hear if any equally simple idea exists for Maraschiello's quandary. I have the RR stack not a box.

When I used to be an overflow guy... I bought one of those brushes that you use to clean glasses with, it's got to be the cheapo wire kind usually the dollar store rendition. bend the wire flat and push it thru the tube, works amazingly. However it's too bulky to fit inbetween the outer and inner portion of the RR overflow. any ideas??

 

[drparker]

not only do i like that idea....i love your avatar.

Thanks, she's still a baby, only 3yrs old.