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Stuck in the filter

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 15:38
by seds
I have an african glass catfish and it got stuck in the filter. The filter works like so: At the top corner of the tank, there is a huge shaft that sucks water down into it, with a little pool at the bottom. That's where he is. In this section, there is a huge thick tube that the water goes down. (It is too far to reach with the net) At the end of the tube there is a multi stage filter with several tanks. How can I get him out? :(

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:10
by MatsP
Maybe there is a way to fill the outer housing up with water?

Other than that, I'd say empty the whole tank and turn it upside down ;-)

Or infinitely small fishing hook and line, perhaps?

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Mats

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:15
by seds
um... Its a pretty big tank to be tipping upside down... Maybe I could wait till he goes into the bottom. He's been in there twice before.

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:28
by MatsP
Sounds like there's a good reason to try to figure out a way for the fish to not get in there in the first place. I can't quite picture the system, but I think I know what you're talking about. Is there a way you could make a grate/pre-filter to stop the fish from getting over the edge of the filter-inlet?

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Mats

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:38
by seds
I think I could work on it...


Once I came home from out of town and almost all of my fish were in the bottom.
Butt this time he wont go all the way through...

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:56
by seds
I dumped several buckets nto the filter and he was sucked through the tube and into the bottom of the filter. I caught him and released him back into the tank. Thanks for the suggestions.

Posted: 01 Nov 2006, 16:58
by MatsP
Glad you got the fish out.

Making a "restrictor plate" that has many small holes to fit on top of the current inlet would probably be a workable solution. Just make sure the holes are smooth-edged with no burrs or otherwise sharp bits that the fish may get hurt on.

Or a course filter-pad cut with a slit in it to just slide over the plastic around the inlet, perhaps.

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Mats