Overflow algae

Shooter7 · #1 03/04/2006, 03:55 PM

Ok, this is my first ever reef ready tank so wasn't exactly sure of what to expect. A pretty fair amount of light gets into the dual overflows and I'm noting that I'm getting alot of algae growing in there. On one side it completely covers the top area of the overflow. So, my questions are, is it ok for it to be like this? Should I clean it out somehow (not sure exactly how I'm going to do that)? Should I try to have something over them to keep the light out? thanks

UnderwaterExotic · #2 03/04/2006, 04:04 PM

I leave mine in there. I am curious too see also if it is bad. Although it does house a ton of pods!!!

Alaskan Reefer · #3 03/04/2006, 04:12 PM

It only will be a problem if it gets into your dursos and starts impeding flow -- if it does so then some is bound to find its way into your sump which may or may not be a big deal. I would at least prune it every couple weeks, I have a little growing in one of mine and I keep it pretty cut back -- along with putting a single turbo snail in there. Some people cover the overflows with black acrylic or the like to prevent the growth.

UnderwaterExotic · #4 03/04/2006, 04:16 PM

I like the idea of the black acrylic, i hate digging fish out of my 210's overflows!

wrott · #5 03/04/2006, 04:32 PM

You can use a razor blade to scrape it off of slits and cover it w/ foil.

aural · #6 03/04/2006, 04:34 PM

i had the same problem with my Reef Ready tank. The algae would go so fast it would cover the overflow slits and make the water level in the tank go higher. I'd be digging handfulls of algae out of the overflow every 2 weeks.

Then i had the brilliant idea to block the light from the overflow. I figured no light, no algae.

So i got myself a piece of black acrylic. traced the shape of the overflow on a piece of paper and enlarged it slightly. the reason i did that was because i wanted the overflow slits to be shaded from the light too. cut my acrylic to shape and flame polished the edges - its been 2 months and i havent had to dig for algae. its been great. here is a picture:

UnderwaterExotic · #7 03/04/2006, 04:42 PM

Where are you guys getting black acrylic?

StoutLager · #8 03/04/2006, 04:59 PM

I very much second the motion. Custom black plexiglass.
You must make a custom cover for all your equipment exposed to the light. I cover all hose, rubber, overflows, etc...

Shooter7 · #9 03/04/2006, 05:45 PM

hmmm...well that sucks. My dursos stick up a little higher than the top of the overflow. Really hate to yank them out and have to be cutting on them for this. Do have to add that those covers look nice.

aural · #10 03/04/2006, 06:54 PM

i got my black acrylic locally for a plastics store. you can find a plastics store in pretty much any city of resonable size (UnderwaterExotic: you might have to go to Savannah or Charleston)

Shooter7 - what you might do is get yourself some acrylic thicker than how much your dursos stick above. you could drill a hole in the acrylic and adhere a thin piece of black acrylic over the hole.

just a thought.

The Reefer91 · #11 03/04/2006, 06:57 PM

if you have a jigsaw or a tool like it you could cut teeth to fit them in, or drilll holes for them to stick out of. that's what i'm gonna do.

UnderwaterExotic · #12 03/04/2006, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the info!

OnTheReef · #13 03/04/2006, 09:27 PM

TAP Plastics is in a lot of the US and I get my acrylic there. I even have stuff made there every so often. They are not terribly quick on turnaround of projects, but it is very economical.