Overflow and tubing blockers, Suggestions

[travie]

My overflow box should be here by tomorrow. I will have cherry barbs in the tank with the overflow, so I figure I need to cover the the top of the box and the slits. For tubing covers and the slit covers, I have some of the plastic mesh stuff, that makes a good moss wall. I will silicon it to the tubes that will be in the water and across the slits. I'm not sure what to use for the top of the overflow box if anything. I figure if its going to be covered, it will need to be sloped. Thanks for comments on my plan and suggestions for the top cover.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Where did you order the overflow from? If it is the CPR then it already has a mesh in it.

[travie]

Off eBay. So if it doesn't come with any mesh, would my mesh idea work?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Was it like this one?
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[travie]

No. Its this one: [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

I hope the link takes you to the right place.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I would expect that the slots are narrow enough to preven the Barbs from getting though. But if you are still worried about it you probably could go to the craft section at Walmart and get some of the plastic mesh used for crafts and use that behind the slots.

[travie]

I'm worried if they start jumping.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I've never had Cherry Barbs jump, that's not to say they won't, just that I've never had them do it. As I mentioned, the plastic mesh from the craft section will work, just be sure to keep it clear. Any thing you put in there is going to have the potential to collect debris and clog up.

[gem]

Agree 100% with ILMGB. you'll definately want to keep an eye on the overflow (mesh or no mesh) to make sure it stays free of debris and gunk. Mine got just a little gunked up after only a couple weeks and it effected the flow to the point that it wasn't keeping up with my return pump. Had I not caught it when I did, the tank probably would have overflowed by next morning.