Overflow notch cover?

[Goldndoodle]

Again, I am not new to saltwater, but I am new to larger tanks.

My 120 g tank that I am in the process of cycling, has dual overflows. The overflows both have two notches in the sides, apparently you could plumb the returns to either go out by the sides of the tank (which mine is) or have the returns go out towards the middle of the tank.

As mine are set up to go out the sides, there are these open notches on each overflow. (I know the photo is not the best - tried taking many photos this was the best I could get right now.)

Knowing how some critters like to wander into areas where they don't belong (I'm looking at you snails), I'm figuring that eventually these two notches in the overflows are going to lead to someone being trapped back in an overflow.

I have tried searching every term I can think of (overflow button, overflow cover, overflow gap stop, etc.) but I can't find anything online that can be snapped on there to stop something from heading into the overflow.

In hindsight, I'm thinking what I should have done when the tank was dry - was silicone a couple of pieces of thin acrylic in there. But as the tank is now full of water, salt, substrate and rock - that's not going to be as easy to do.


Any ideas?

 

[Goldndoodle]

Better photo?

 

[dukduk]

Maybe you can get it made with that notch covered http://www.limpitsreef.com/D-Shaped-Overflow-Cover.html

 

[Mrramsey]

I have some news for you... The slots in the overflows will not keep anything out. Snails will go over regardless of that extra notch. fish will still jump over the top. If you're really concerned about it just put a tee on your return and run it out both sides

 

[Goldndoodle]

Maybe you can get it made with that notch covered http://www.limpitsreef.com/D-Shaped-Overflow-Cover.html

I saw those on eBay the other day and bought a couple of them. That's what actually made me start thinking about how to block those notches.

I can't imagine I'm the only person who's ever wanted to block one set of those notches on an overflow ... maybe there's an opportunity there?

Time to put the Engineering degree to work!

 

[Baldguy]

You could always super glue a piece of plastic or acrylic in place.

 

[Goldndoodle]

You could always super glue a piece of plastic or acrylic in place.

Looking for something less permanent / more removable - just in case there's a need for those notches in the future.

I've got something in mind - just ordered some black acrylic from eBay. Hopefully will have something worked out by next weekend.

 

[Baldguy]

Two or three spots of superglue wouldn't be permanent. Pop right off.

 

[FraggledRock]

You could shut the system off for a few while you acrylic weld on two small pieces.


Orrrrr

You can make a "I" shape piece from acrylic and drop it in.

 

[Goldndoodle]

You can make a "I" shape piece from acrylic and drop it in.

Sort of where I'm heading.

 

[dkeller_nc]

If you've the cutting tools to make a plug out of acrylic, that'd certainly be the most aesthetic solution. But a quick 'n dirty would simply be a piece of plastic screen from the home store tacked in place with epoxy putty. The putty will be enough to hold it in place, but will come off with a bit of force if you need to.

 

[ca1ore]

I just jam a filter sponge between the top of the durso drain and the oveflow wall. Plugs up the notch just fine. Not the most elegant solution, I suppose.

 

[Kenmx10]

You can get different size black rubber plus at the hardware store that would squeeze in without using glue.

 

[Reef707]

I saw those on eBay the other day and bought a couple of them. That's what actually made me start thinking about how to block those notches.

I can't imagine I'm the only person who's ever wanted to block one set of those notches on an overflow ... maybe there's an opportunity there?

Time to put the Engineering degree to work!

Hey ive been looking for something like that. How much did you get them for on ebay? could possibly pm me the link or let me know the sellers name? thanks

 

[kmbyrnes]

Plastic Gutter Guard from the home store and some zip ties

 

[Goldndoodle]

Hey ive been looking for something like that. How much did you get them for on ebay? could possibly pm me the link or let me know the sellers name? thanks

Same price on eBay as in the link above. He's just running an eBay store front as well as his own page.

He had 5 available last night, not seeing them on there now. Here's the link to his eBay store front - LIMPITS REEF eBAY

 

[gone fishin]

I had some left over mesh from making my tops. I cut some to fit and zip tied it on. keeps the fish and bigger critters out.

 

[Goldndoodle]

I just jam a filter sponge between the top of the durso drain and the oveflow wall. Plugs up the notch just fine. Not the most elegant solution, I suppose.

That's working for right now. Once the Black Acrylic gets here, I'll be able to cut something / shape something more elegant. Thanks for the idea.

Sometimes it amazes me how the human mind works - I walk around the house for hours looking for solutions to something and the whole time some old filter sponge from my nanoCube kept getting in the way. I kept moving it from one place to the other on the shelf. Never once thought to cut a square of it and jam it in those notches.

 

[igadget56]

Who put that notch there in the first place and why?

 

[Goldndoodle]

Who put that notch there in the first place and why?

Most D Shaped overflows I've seen in stores have the dual notches - one on each side. I would assume so you can decide which side you want your returns to come out of the overflow, or if you want to "T" the return to come out both sides of the overflow.

I want mine to come out on the sides of the tank - not the middle of the tank. And I don't want to "T" the return to have it come out the sides and middle.