SH getting "stuck" to overflow

[bevoboy]

They love to play in the current but every once in a while one gets his head stuck up against the overflow and the in-current keeps him stuck there. I'm reasonably certain that they could extricate themselves after some period of thrashing about, but I'd like to figure out a way to prevent/minimize the possibility of this happening. No sense in adding stress to their lives if we can avoid it.

Anyone have any tips for a mod to keep my ponies safely out of the overflow's way? This is in a NC28, pumps set on the wavemaker so I can't reduce the flow anymore.

 

[namxas]

are you saying the SH is getting blown up against the O/F or that it's getting sucked up against it?

if it's getting blown, re-aim the returns, and/or shorten the "on" time so the flow isn't hitting the SH so long in one direction. your other option will be to split the returns and aim them more appropriately.

i'm not quite sure how this is happening tho...i have one of those tanx (NOT a SH tank), and never notice any problems with macro getting sucked against the O/F.

these systems aren't the best for SH to begin with, as the the flow can be a problem as is the temp they run at (80*F is quite a bit too warm for SH).

 

[bevoboy]

The horse gets sucked up against the overflow. Return flow doesn't appear to be an issue (they have plenty of low flow spots for refuge).

An aside, this tank runs at a steady 72-74 with no chiller. We like a nice cool house

 

[Octoshark]

Is it voluntary? My horses purposely go up to the filter intake sometimes and let the intake hold them there. I know they do it on purpose because they swim away calmy for a few seconds and then sometimes go back. They also calmly reposition themselves and switch sides, so I can tell by their behavior (they don't seem stressed at all) that they enjoy it for some reason.

Do you think your horses do it on purpose or do you think they are being pulled against their will?

 

[namxas]

i'd worry about the SH becoming weak and distressed since the OP states the SH thrashes around to extricate itself. the only two options i see are to use something like "plastic canvas" (the material used in needlepoint) to make a guard so the SH can't get close to the O/F, or repumping the tank with smaller pumps so there's less suction at the O/F.

you could try sticking a sponge behind the teeth to slow the flow down, but this may not work if it causes the O/F to lag behind the rate of the return pumps.

 

[rayjay]

Make a fence to fit around the overflow.
Years ago I used green plastic strawberry baskets to cut up, glue gun together to form a fence and made it so it clipped onto the overflow. The baskets are porous enough so as not to restrict the water flow, and by keeping the seahorses farther out from the overflow, the overall suction effect was much less.

 

[bevoboy]

Good feedback.

octo - Can't tell if they intentionally swim into the overflow current. They swim directly underneath it on occasion. I don't want to ruin their fun, but am concerned about excess stress when they can't get themselves unstuck.

I like the idea of a fence around the overflow. Think I'll use some eggcrate and paint it black.

Thanks to all for the responses! That's what makes this community so great.

 

[ChadTheSpike]

FYI, BRS sells black egg crate

 

[pledosophy]

How much flow do you have going through the over flow?

How long is the grating now?

You may just have to much flow and not enough dispersal.

JMO

 

[bevoboy]

For the inquiring minds...here is how I addressed this issue.

Bought a sheet of egg crate at HD. Cut it into sections to build a 6" x 2" cage for the overflow. Assembled the cage with zip strips and painted with black krylon fusion. Then superglued the cage against the back wall of tank. The cage has panels on the bottom, front and sides. I left the top open since it is above the water line and I wanted the option of getting to the overflow to clean it as needed.

This thing works like a champ. The flow out of the tank is now quite dispersed and haven't had a problem with the ponies getting pinned against the corral (pun intended). The install looks clean and almost OEM.

Really appreciate the feedback from everyone.

 

[ChadTheSpike]

nicely done!