Ummm... Any Ideas What to Do??

[Zagzoo71]

I have a 92g bow front corner tank, my 2 wrasses been missing all week. I found them today in the overflow (which is the back corner of the tank) in which the overflow is in the corner of the wall. Will my 2 wrasses eventually get sucked into the 1" drain line? Or how do I get them out?

I have a 6-line and a filtermentos fairy stuck in there.

thanks

 

[greech]

Tough one. If its a short trip to the sump you can pull the pipe and catch them when they get there. Other option is to drain the overflow to just a couple inches of water and either net and remove them by hand (assuming you can get either in there).

 

[reefjunkie42]

you need to net them?or maybe try to shop vac them out. i know its risky but what options do u have

 

[pr12]

I've used a net that I bent to fit into my corner overflow when I've had fish in there. Used a handle of another net to chase them into it. Now I've got it covered with mesh to keep out any jumpers. Or if a net wont work and you have extra mesh you might be able to use that like a net, get it under them and lift up, thats how I move my eels. Good Luck

 

[EllieSuz]

Bending a net as mentioned above worked for me too.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

If all else fails, use a small flyfishing hook and small piece of food.

 

[tsiklauss]

I had to pull my drain pipe when it happened to me. Turn off your skimmer though. My skimmer chewed up my jawfish.

 

[sedor]

Pulling the drain pipe is by far the easiest. I sympathise with you, a fish in the overflow is one of the most annoying things that can happen.

 

[Wolverine]

I agree that pulling the drain pipe is the easiest, followed by draining the water level in the overflow and then catching them.

If you want to make your life easier, before you pull the drain pipe, but a net at the other end of the pipe (where it goes into your sump). This way they fall right into the net. Otherwise you have to catch them in your sump (and worry about your skimmer or other pumps, as mentioned above).

 

[Zagzoo71]

Thanks for th ideas, I tried to remove the emergency drain (straight 3/4" pvc tube), cant get a good grip on it to unscrew from the bulkhead fitting. cant get a net in it, due to it being a triangle shape overflow, in which both drains take up over 50%.

Sooo.. I am going to cut the straight pipe under the tank and remove the bulk head nut, and completely remove the bulkhead fitting with the pipe attached thru the top to drain it down to get them out.

thanks

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

Can you just siphon all of the water out and reach in and grab the fish. I hate to see you mess with a non-leaking drain and would try the fishhook idea first if siphoning the water didn't work.

 

[SushiGirl]

Can you just siphon all of the water out and reach in and grab the fish.

That's what I did.

 

[Wolverine]

Can you just siphon all of the water out and reach in and grab the fish. I hate to see you mess with a non-leaking drain and would try the fishhook idea first if siphoning the water didn't work.

If it's not too late, I'd agree with this as a next best option. Would rather do that than have to redo the plumbing.

 

[Zagzoo71]

If it's not too late, I'd agree with this as a next best option. Would rather do that than have to redo the plumbing.

This is a 92g corner bow front... there is no possible way to reach across top of tank, then 24" down the overflow, and my hand would not even fit with the 1" drain line and the 3/4" emergency drain line.

 

[Retired Reefer]

Pull the drain and catch them in the sock. I've had shrimp make it on their own with no harm done.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

This is a 92g corner bow front... there is no possible way to reach across top of tank, then 24" down the overflow, and my hand would not even fit with the 1" drain line and the 3/4" emergency drain line.

I guess we weren't that familiar with the tank, but I think you are saying that there is no room to access the overflow (even from the sides) except by reaching across 18" or so of tank and then down the overflow. It is up to you, but I would try a fishhook (flyfishing or Sabiki for catching bait) before I would go pulling my plumbing apart. File the barb down or compress it with pliers if you want. Let us know what you decide and how it works out.

 

[Zagzoo71]

Well finally.... I was able (or should say.. had a friend over who has longer arms) we were able to unscrew the emergency drain line and flushed out the 6-line wrasse. The filementos fairy wrasse is no were to be seen, not in overflow, been about 2-3 weeks now I put him in the tank that I have yet to see him.

Frank

 

[Curtis.H]

The other wrasse is probably still adjusting. I bought a Coris Wrasse and didn't see it for over 3 weeks after I introduced it. One evening it just poped out when I fed. If your stand doesn't have a full piece of wood under the tank you might be able to look up into the sand from below the tank and find it burrowed in the sand.

 

[Zagzoo71]

The other wrasse is probably still adjusting. I bought a Coris Wrasse and didn't see it for over 3 weeks after I introduced it. One evening it just poped out when I fed. If your stand doesn't have a full piece of wood under the tank you might be able to look up into the sand from below the tank and find it burrowed in the sand.

I hope so.. paid $25 for his little @$$.