Niger trigger stuck help

[dschflier]

So My wife and I come home from our trip to NY and I go to the basement to feed my fish. Other then a bit of alge on the glass everyone appears to be doing well. Then I notice I can't find my Niger trigger. I was pretty worried but as many of you may know, Nigers are as hardy as most trucks. I still figured maybe he jumbed out or something. I looked everywhere and could not find him. I finally looked in the overflow box which is not easy to do because of the location and guess where he is. My tank is a 210 RR with two overflows. I am not sure how I am going to get him out of there. If I pull the tubes out I am afraid he will get sucked against the opening. Anyone have any good suggestions. It is also a difficult place to reach.

[traveller7]

So My wife and I come home from our trip to NY and I go to the basement to feed my fish. Other then a bit of alge on the glass everyone appears to be doing well. Then I notice I can't find my Niger trigger. I was pretty worried but as many of you may know, Nigers are as hardy as most trucks. I still figured maybe he jumbed out or something. I looked everywhere and could not find him. I finally looked in the overflow box which is not easy to do because of the location and guess where he is. My tank is a 210 RR with two overflows. I am not sure how I am going to get him out of there. If I pull the tubes out I am afraid he will get sucked against the opening. Anyone have any good suggestions. It is also a difficult place to reach.

If you shut off the pump, lift the tubes to let the standing water out slowly, remove the tubes, you should be able to reach in a grab him easily.

 

Their skin is pretty tough, I would only be worried about scratching the eyes.

Edited November 10, 2006 by traveller7

[stevil]

Could maybe reverse the flow through the overflow and push him out? I'm thinking you could turn off your returns and then hook one of them to the drain of the overflow he's stuck in and pump water "backwards". With enough force he should be pushed to the top and you could then scoop him back into the tank (or he might pop out anyway). You might need to take the standpipe out.

Edited November 10, 2006 by stevil

[dhoch]

Don't do what stevil said, more like than not that's a receiped for water on the floor...

 

When my mysteri wrasse went into my overflow I did traveler7 said... worked like a charm...

 

Dave

[dschflier]

slight problem is it is difficult to reach the bottom of the overflow box from the position I willhave to be in. I will try though.

[dhoch]

Get above the tank... a footstool or small ladder... you'll find it much easier...

 

Dave

[SteveD]

I have a sixline that got into the overflow EVERY DAY for 4 days straight. Each day, I would shut off the pumps and remove the plumbing.

 

I then placed a net below the drain holes. The wrasse would either go through the hole and into the net or end up on the bottom of the overflow. If he ended up on the bottom then I'd have to stick my fingers through the whole and grab him. It was not ideal, but it worked...and the fish is perfectly fine.

 

You could also try what somebody suggested with a step stool if that is possible.

[dschflier]

Well thanks for the advice, as always the advice on this site always helps. I first tried debarbing a hook and catching him with a prawn as bate. He was to smart and would just pick the prawn off. Next I tried lowering a cup with food in it. That definitly didn't work. Then I did what you guys suggested. I was able to reach my hand all the way to the bottom as long as I had the hood removed. I removed the stand pipe. I forgot to do it slowly so luckily he didn't get sucked into it. I then grabbed him and put him back in his home. He is very happy and says thanks.

[rmoyer001]

This isnt much help to your problem, but I have a similar problem.One of my skunk cleaners is in my sump. No way I can get a net into the spot where he is at. I was considering leaving him. Anyone have a view on whether he will make it down there?

[flowerseller]

Can you put a piece of gutter guard around the spillway?

This black plastic stuff works great for me and is easy to put in place.

[squiddly]

Glad to hear he's ok! I'm going to put in the stuff flowerseller recommended as we replumb the 180. As always, thanks for the great ideas.

[dschflier]

Well if you put my niger in your sump I am sure he can get the shrimp and then we can go fishing for the Niger and everyone except the shrimp will be happy.

[davelin315]

Since most fish and invertebrates want to hide at some point in time, drop a piece of pipe down there with a seal on the end and then tie a string around it. When they go in, pull it up and out.