Sometimes fish get stuck in the overflow

[duanes]

I usuallly run my 125 gal sump fairly full.

There are 2 outlows, bth about same flow rate, one direct flow. one filtered (below the filtered end)

The pump pushes around 1500 gph on a good day.
Turns out a fish (don´t know which yet) crammed itself into the unfiltered overflow,, got stuck, and backed up that overflow enough to overflow the tank.
Looked like maybe almost 100 gallons spilled oout on the ground before I noticed, sh´te will happen when least expected.
Jammed the fish thru with a screw driver, so that outflow was again free, and started filling the sump again.
Didn´t catch the pic right away in the panic, but as you can see, once together, snapped the pic, with the sump still, quite low compaed to normal.


Got a chance to see the mangrove digging in.

 

[HUKIT]

Jammed the fish thru with a screw driver, so that outflow was again free, and started filling the sump again.

That’s easily one of my worst nightmare as all my display tanks are on large sumps placed on top of hardwood floors. I will admit picturing you jamming the fish with a screwdriver to free the clog made me chuckle.

 

[triamond]

I prepared myself for the worst after some almost fatal cases… Better safe than sorry.
My aquarium has an integrated hood — it’s just 9 cm taller to hold emergency water, just in case.

The weir is lower than the hood in case it gets clogged (unlikely, but still).

There are two float switches for high water level and one for low filter water level.


They are connected to an ESP32, which also controls the lighting.

There are also several leak detectors in places where water could accumulate, ready to shut off the tap water automatically.
If the water level rises too high, the drip water-change system will stop.
When I’m away for longer periods, I’ll get a message if the water level is too low (due to evaporation), so I can remotely turn the tap back on.