Keeping fish out of the filter

[clb2196]

This is a preventative question, really, since I have no fish in the tank yet. I have a BioCube, and the hood is completely sealed (which is good since the cat likes to sit on it... sigh), so no worries about fish jumping out. However, you can get into the filter if they want to (according to my dad who had the tank, he's had at least 1 get in).

Here's what it looks like, if you're not familiar:
http://aquariacanada.com/PhotoPost/data/500/Biocube29_002_Small_.jpg

If they get into the middle part that cover the BioBalls there's not usually much water there since it drains, so they wouldn't last very long there, and I'm at work all day. So what's the best way to keep fish out?

[ct-death]

I have an Eclipse III and it would be extremely difficult for a fish to access this area.

What fish do you have that you are concerned about? I would think the greater risk would be small fry being sucked up through the intake rather rather jumping over the very small slit left between the hood and the spillover.

I have never had a fish do this in my tropical tank.

[clb2196]

I have an Eclipse III and it would be extremely difficult for a fish to access this area.

What fish do you have that you are concerned about? I would think the greater risk would be small fry being sucked up through the intake rather rather jumping over the very small slit left between the hood and the spillover.

I have never had a fish do this in my tropical tank.

I guess because I've always ended up with fish that are jumpers lol. My dad just mentioned it because he'd had a fish that did it, luckily he found it in time. If it's really that unlikely then I won't worry about it.

[ct-death]

Honestly, I understand your reason for concern, and its well placed. But there really isn't much that you can do. I was thinking of this after I posted, and maybe you could use some panty-hose stocking material to "net" off the areas - should be simple enough - but frankly I have had more suicides from fish jumping out of the air-hose opening then anything else :eek:

[Robert04]

I use window screen. dosnt hurt the flow to much just requires more cleaning.. I wrap it on my intake tubes aswell for fry..

[cam191919]

i stuck sponges in that section of my biocube, just one big piece that form fit in there

[clb2196]

i stuck sponges in that section of my biocube,

The middle section you mean? What kind of sponge?

[Mgamer20o0]

personally i woudlnt worry about it also. if it jumped it it most likely will be able to jump back out.

[WeeGlo@nite]

i stuck sponges in that section of my biocube, just one big piece that form fit in there

I always put sponges over my intakes as well. Peace of mind more then anything however It does create a larger bio surface for your filter for the good bacteria. It's also a great hint when it's time to clean the tank.

[DoN_WoN]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i was looking for a thread like this i had a cory jump in the drip plate and die...i had a lemon tetra disapear and i found him in the intake chamber...i found my swordtail in the return pump area..

So my solution is i took some little aquarium plastic filter over the little wall that is between the water and the filter and used aquarium silicone and put it on...water can still flow through but it somewhat protects it :)

the cory died :( but the swordtail and the tetra survived

[DoN_WoN]

i found a pic that i took when i did it

[clb2196]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i was looking for a thread like this i had a cory jump in the drip plate and die...i had a lemon tetra disapear and i found him in the intake chamber...i found my swordtail in the return pump area..

So my solution is i took some little aquarium plastic filter over the little wall that is between the water and the filter and used aquarium silicone and put it on...water can still flow through but it somewhat protects it :)

the cory died :( but the swordtail and the tetra survived

Hm, could you get a picture? I'm having a hard time picturing what you mean... but I'd like to duplicate it if it works!

ETA: Heh, you're fast. ;) Thanks!

[DoN_WoN]

Hm, could you get a picture? I'm having a hard time picturing what you mean... but I'd like to duplicate it if it works!

ETA: Heh, you're fast. ;) Thanks!
i just posted a pic :)

[clb2196]

Well! Looks like I'll be trying this sooner rather than later! Just went to feed the fish, and uh oh, only 2! Sure enough, in the filter, luckily in the return pump area. PITA getting him out, that's for sure! Bad fish!

[clb2196]

Well Don_won, I did something similar to you, I used that plastic mesh used for crafts and siliconed it on. So far it seems to be working.

[Jellymolly44]

I had a clown loach get in mine before. I would just use a filter with a hood over the intake and outtake.

[clb2196]

Gah! Little orange GloFish got in the filter yesterday! Lucky little bugger, he must've been in there for hours (my husband noticed he was missing but couldn't find him). I looked in there too and didn't see him, then checked again and he was on top of the plate in the middle section. I was trying to get him and he was squirming all around and slipped underneath, into the bioballs. I was afraid to try and move them becasue I didn't want to squish him, so I poured a ton of water in, and he showed up in the pump return where we netted him. Pesky little thing.

It looks like there was a tiny spot in my mesh where the silicone didn't bond right. Is there any glue I cand use with the water in? I had to turn the filter off to dry the silicone, and I don't want to keep it off too long, so I don't think it bonded completely.

But still, it was a tiny hole and he had to get behind the mesh and still leap over the wall! Why?!