cleaning external overflow boxes

[dbuesking]

my tank has been up and running for 10 weeks now. my overflow boxes are starting to build up a green and red algey. should i shut down my refug. and clean them out. i think it is starting to affect my flow back to refug.

 

[metalac]

Well I just did that yesterday, one of my stupid snails got stuck in the tube when he wandered off into the overflow box, so I took it out, with no problem but decided to wash them just cuz they looked pretty filthy. It took only 15 minutes. My main concern was nitrates and what not that might be caused by the decaying matter in the overflow.

 

[mr_X]

i never cleaned mine for a year. the only thing i would do is rinse the grate at the intake(i had the cpr type).
i never had problems. i had all sorts of sponges and little critters in there.
cpr overflows use some black plastic, to cut down the algae. i think it's a smart idea.