Wier wall cutout questions

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

So, it is ask a stupid question time. I am asking this just to make sure I am not wrong in my thinking....

First some facts

1) I have dual corner overflows each with a large wier wall. I have removed much of the top 'grate' to increase intake flow. I still have some skimming however that I want to keep.

2) I have an issue with my cardinals in that they can get swept up and behind the wier wall with the pvc pipes Needless to say, it is hard to get them out of there. Only a few, but they seem to be the same ones (as if I could tell), but it is constant.

3) I have tried various nettings and such to prevent this, but they all reduce flow by too much. Large size and the fish go thru or get stuck. I would rather them in the wiers.

4) Each wier also has a grate at the bottom with all 'teeth' intact that allows flow to the intake pipes.

My idea:

Remove a section of the wier wall towards the bottom for the fish to simply swim out. I could most likely just remove the 'teeth' here like I did at the top and that would allow them to escape. Perhaps expand it a bit, but they don't need much room.

This should not affect my intake flow or skimming in any way. My flow over the top of the wier may reduce a bit as the hole in the wall will allow more water behind it.

Since the fish seem to end up at the bottom of the wier due to flow and their general nature, I think this would allow them to simply swim back out easily into the tank with little harm.

It would be like a ride of sorts. Over the top and over the wall, and out the bottom again..

Hiding this escape hatch would be simple so as to not see any white pvc

Now to my questions:

Is this a stupid idea or is there a better way? Am I missing something here that I just don't see?

I don't think so but before I go cutting.........I thought it good to wait and check first.

Any issues that you all can see with this?

I feel pretty comfortable about my plans.... but so did Napolean at Waterloo.....

Thanks!

 

[shoggoth43]

Gutter Guard?

Gutter Guard at the top of the overflow? I use it in my overflow and it seems to keep embers and other smallish tetras from ending up in places likely to kill them, like stuck on the prefilter sponge or high and dry.

Might be easier than cutting things apart and should be dirt cheap. I think a roll cost me 5$.

-
S

 

[DukeNJ]

Bet your cardinals will love the Waterslide Dad installed for them.

 

[Gerryd]

DukeNJ,

Well, we'll see.....

S,

This is pretty funny. I just got a nice school of larger african tetras (54).

I acclimate them and place in the display tank and they look great. They are swimming all over in school formation, the cardinals are going along for the ride, all is looking great, the school gathers in the top corner for another drive around the tank, and........

They get sucked into the wier. I actually LMAO as at least 25-30 went right down the hatch.....lol

It took all of about 5 minutes for this to occur. Wish you could have seen it...the rest were most likely wondering what happened to their buddies

So, am off to HD to purchase some gutter guard.

I will then install, fish the fish out of the wiers, and dump the fish back in the tank.

Seeing as how they do get close, I will also have to have some guard higher than the wate surface, as I feel they will do the wild salmon thing and simply jump over the grate, and into the wier (hopefully).

Will let you know how it pans out.