Water back to Sump...filter... food... help!

[bigdogs3]

Hi. Totally new here. I'm actually the daughter trying to help out my parents, so I don't know much about tanks, equipment names, etc.

When my parents bought the house a year ago, the tank was already installed & the fish were acclimated.

I'm wondering about the return line that goes back to the sump (I know the term because read up to try & solve the problem without bothering anyone, ha). Right, so one of the PVCs that takes water back from the display tank, to the sump, seems to take a lot of the food given to the fish w/it. Also, when cleaning the mesh filters that are on top (see attachment), I worry that a smaller fish may get sucked in :(

I'm wondering if I can buy something to install around the problematic return line to keep the food in the tank (& when the filter is cleaned, to keep the fish in the tank). If there isn't a way to put something around it, is there a different mesh I could get so that it was more flush w/the top of the PVC?

Notes:
In the pictures, the water looks dirty... & that's because it is. The person my parents have come do a whole cleaning sha-bang is coming next week. So please, no comments or concerns abt the tank cleanliness. Please just help me help my parents w/the filtering issue.

Also, some of you may say to turn off the pumps, but my parents won't do that in fear of something going wrong. I'm not sure how big the tank is...400 gallons? I attached a picture just in case there is something abt the size that may help/hurt solutions. & yes, there is a ladder (I'm really short & can't feed them w/o it & I was too lazy to move it for the picture.)

[tkeracer619]

Yup, you need an overflow box.

Here is something that may work. You would need to take measurements and if you can't find one that would work will need to have someone make one for you.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cpr-retrofit-overflow-box.html

To find gallons measure the inside dimensions.

LxWxH in inches/231=gallons

Thanks for trying to help your parents out. There is a lot to learn.

Also, as far as food goes. It needs to break the surface and be put in the water column. If it is just on the surface the overflow will suck it down. If using an auto feeder they have things called feeding rings which is basically a ring that keeps the food in place until it sinks.

Like this
http://www.amazon.com/Nutrafin-Max-Feeding-Ring-Suction/dp/B0002DI0TI

Also it is cool that you tried the search feature but we understand it can be challenging if you don't know what everything is called. Don't hesitate to ask questions. That is why we are here :)

Also that is called the drain, the return comes from the pump back to the tank.

[bigdogs3]

That was such a speedy response! Can't thank you enough for your advice!

You are the best! I will work w/my parents to get an overflow box that will fit. Thank you!

Also, there isn't an automatic feeder, my parents usually do it by hand & drop the pieces in. I will look into how to avoid the food from staying at the top of the tank for them.

Drain! Got it! Whoops. I thought I was fancy, haha.
Again, thank you!

[mfinn]

Some people use a feeding ring to help keep the food from going straight down the drain line.
http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Fish-Food-Feeders/I/Nutrafin-Max-Feeding-Ring.aspx?CAWELAID=1630128130&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=520009670000047010&cadevice=c&gclid=CJL9_oWr0cMCFRSGfgodyn0Agw


Some will also turn off the return pump for 5-10 minutes after adding food.

[mfinn]

Guess I didn't see the link tkeracer619 posted

[Frozenguy]

When I feed with food that doesn't like to sink I throw it at the surface lol. Just make sure not to whack a light or pelt an eagerly awaiting fish with a food ball in the face.

Ring works too.

[bigdogs3]

I texted my parents to let them know I have some potential solutions. Hopefully they're as excited as I am.

Frozenguy, to make it worse (though more in the spirit of winter) its frozen food to potentially be pelted with! Makeshift snowball fights that they can't win. Poor little dudes.

Thanks to all three of you!!

[tkeracer619]

You're welcome! Glad you are excited. Maybe instead of the guy who maintains the tank you can learn enough to take it over in due time and take it up a few notches.

When feeding instead of dropping it on the surface put it down into the water. When I feed frozen a take a block of frozen food and toss it on one of my powerheads, the suction holds the food to the powerhead and the pump blows the food all over the place. If I feed flake I put it through the surface and into the water. As long as its not floating on the surface not much will make it down the drains.

Also, your tang probably would like some sushi nori. You feed that on a clip.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Ocean_Nutrition_Feeding_Frenzy_Seaweed_Clips_(Double)_Fish_Food_Clips_Feeding_Stations-Ocean_Nutrition-ON1111-FIFDFECF-vi.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A72Ifn-EgYU
http://importfood.com/media/rtrs0750l.jpg

[reefchase]

have a good review of a overflow on my youtube channel bro the CPR cs90 is great

[bigdogs3]

Thank you tkeracer619. My step-dad is thrilled w/this information. I quote, "Oh wow, what great ideas! Lets get some of those things. What nice people they are to help out!"

Hah. We will be looking into getting a powerhead for the food idea, the overflow box, a feeding ring, & the sushi nori for the tang.

Take care everyone!

[tkeracer619]

Very cool, we are glad to help! You're welcome :)

Take care and hang around, read some of the stickys. There is a tremendous amount of information available here.