snails in return lines?

[Jandree22]

A concern I have with open ended 1” PVC return lines that I’ll be putting in my tank, is that snails will enter the gaping wide hole and crawl around in their to their heart’s content, blocking flow. In anyone’s experience, do snails enter against the flow into return lines? What can I do to prevent it?

I'm going to rig up eggrate in my overflows.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

yes they do......cover the hole with a cover.

 

[Jandree22]

Okay... not to be a jerk, but could you possibly link up something like what you're talking about?

An intake strainer is all that's coming to mind and surely that can't work.

thanks again.

 

[tgunn]

I've had snails enter my 1" return lines. I've got two returns, so if a snail is in one of them, the other one gives out a bit more flow. I couldn't worry about it really.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Happened to me about 6 months ago. Was wondering why it seemed like my pump's output was about 10% of normal. After some moving of the pipe, a turbo snail come shooting out of it.

You could cut up some egg create to cover the hole, and it really should effect the flow.

 

[Playa-1]

I just covered the the entire overflow box with a soft mesh material. I had to learn that lesson the hard way. I don't want anything in the overflow/skimmer box except water and maybe some pods.

 

[BurntOutReefer]

zip-tie or rubber band with window screen mesh (plastic/fiberglass one and not the metal one )

 

[Jandree22]

Cool, thanks guys.

Maybe with the zip ties, cut 4 holes near the end of the outlet and intersect 2 zip ties to kind of make this effect.

 

[Otto2]

I cut out some eggcrate to stick inside the pipe. For my 1" elbow, the eggcrate came looking like a tic tac toe board. I superglued that right inside the opening.

 

[Jandree22]

yeah, that might look cleaner... i'll probably try the eggcrate

thanks again.

 

[serpentman]

I have had snails jam in and overflow my fuge. I roll a piece of gutter guard and stuff it into the drain. Works very well.