How to block notch in overflows

[swannyson7]

My 180 has corner overflows and there are two semicircle notches cut out on each overflow for loc-line to feed through from the return lines. My return lines only pass through one of these notches and then split afterwards, leaving one of the holes wide open. My Chromis keep managing to swim through the little opening and wind up in my overflow... a real PITA to get the out to say the least.

I was thinking about using a u-shaped piece of 1/8" acrylic with a curved bend to it, but I don't know how difficult it would be to watch the curvature. Another option would be some putty epoxy, but I think it would look horrible and I don't know how well it would hold up. Has anyone blocked these off in the past, or have any ideas on a good way to block them? Thanks!!

 

[nikesb]

i think embedding a rock to make it float would look cool. are you looking to completely block it as in not letting water pass through?

 

[swannyson7]

i think embedding a rock to make it float would look cool. are you looking to completely block it as in not letting water pass through?

I'd be ok with water flowing through, as long as fish don't pass through. Trying to net them out of the overflow is near impossible with the PVC from the drain/return line in there. Last time a chromis got in there, I just pulled the PVC drain line out so that he got sucked down the drain lines and just pulled him out of the filter sock. :neutral:

 

[aalvarado87]

do you have a picture i was just wodering what exactly you are refferring to. did you buy the tank new or used? if you wanted to cap it don't you think you could get some weldon and some extra acrylic and just put it on the inside of the overflow assuming its an all acrylic overflow if its glass just get some silicone and silicone the glass there...

 

[btkrausen]

Get some clear/black mesh. I use gutter guard to block the intake of my drains. Cut a small square, put all four corners in there, and the fish won't be able to get in there.

 

[Murfman]

I used the little tabs from plastic coat hangers. They connect the bottom of the hanger to the / \, on the way to the hook. I just cut them and trimmed them to fit the hole and glued them in a X.

 

[mc-cro]

I used the mesh gutter guard. cut a small piece, and then secured it with a zip tie on each side. As a matter of fact, I eventually knocked all but 3 of my overflow teeth out, 1 on each end, and 1 in the middle. I then used gutter guard for the whole overflow. I allowed me to just about triple the amount of flow I had at the time.

 

[Paul_N]

I would just get a piece of thin flexible acrylic cut into a square and glue it over the notch from the inside.

 

[Michael7979]

Get some gutter guard and cut a piece to fit. Should solve your problem very easily.