anemones and powerheads

[shoura]

I am thinking of getting a BTA and I would really appreciate seeing some pics of how you folks have covered your powerheads to avoid mashed anemone.....I have Tunze Turbelle streams and their shape would make it awkward to cover all parts of the water intake....unless I just loosely wrap the whole powerhead in some filter type stuff---like putting in a bag I guess????
Thanks for any helpful suggestions!

 

[J8851]

i put a sponge over mine

 

[TripleP]

maybe using something like a sponge.

 

[Tang Salad]

In a 92g, if the PHs aere situated right and you have lots of LR, then you probably don't need to cover the intakes. Just keep a close eye on the BTA till it settles in.

 

[redvipe2010]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9765314#post9765314 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tang Salad
In a 92g, if the PHs aere situated right and you have lots of LR, then you probably don't need to cover the intakes. Just keep a close eye on the BTA till it settles in.

Anemones will move, even after they have settled in. It is impossible to keep an eye on them 24/7. Power heads need to be covered no matter how large the tank, or how much live rock.
An anemone will move slowly, until you are not around!

 

[shoura]

Yes I fully intend to cover the powerheads, but due to the slightly awkward shape of the Tunzes I was wondering how best to do it and hoping to see some pics from peeps who have tackled this problem successfully!

 

[redvipe2010]

What about using needle point canvas, and electrical ties or fishing line. Cut the shapes needed out of the canvas, tie together with fishing line or electrical ties.

 

[shoura]

It sounds like I should sew up a snazzy little number to fit the exact measurements of my Tunzes!:lol: Not a bad idea!!! I'll post a pic if I succeed in creating somehting stunning!

 

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9765605#post9765605 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redvipe2010
Power heads need to be covered no matter how large the tank, or how much live rock.

Well, I think that's good advice for most cases, but it's a little extreme to say that it's absolutely necessary for all cases. I have a BTA that hasn't moved in 2.5 years. Many people have them in large tanks with uncovered PHs.

 

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9766866#post9766866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shoura
Yes I fully intend to cover the powerheads, but due to the slightly awkward shape of the Tunzes I was wondering how best to do it and hoping to see some pics from peeps who have tackled this problem successfully!

Perhaps make a large 'cage' out of gutter guard to surround the PH?

 

[Slakker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9768808#post9768808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tang Salad
Many people have lost them to large tanks with uncovered PHs.

I fixed your post for you.

 

[lightdir]

I have some 6000's and i got some of the plastic needle point material then cut it into strips large enough to cover the intake and zip tied it in place.

 

[Tang Salad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9769841#post9769841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Slakker
I fixed your post for you.

Um.......thanks? :lol:

Seriously though, this isn't a hobby with that many absolutes. I have seen plenty of tanks without screening around PHs or CL intakes and healthy long-lived BTAs.

Granted, BTAs are more prone to rambling around than most another anemonies. But they don't generally leave the main LR sturcture, or run up the sides of the tank.

A lot depends on the how the tank is arranged. But that's just my .02...and nothing more

 

[Slakker]

That's true to a point, but on the off chance that the anemone does climb a wall or even detach and get swept up in a current...why take the chance?
It takes maybe 20 minutes and $5 to cover your power heads. It could save your anemone's life, a boatload of headaches, and potentially all of your tank's inhabitants...and doesn't really have a negative effect.

Sure, it may reduce the flow a bit, but so does an anemone sucked into the intake.

 

[davocean]

I've always covered my intakes for peace of mind.
I like the hagen quick filter clip ons.
I bet you might be able to cut one in half for your tunzes and zip tie it.

 

[davocean]

These are what I use to use

 

[davocean]

These are pretty cool, and what I use now on my 1 1/2" bulkhead intake as cover on my loop.
They are about 4" in diameter, and just screw in.
Easy to remove and clean(which I need to do)
They make different sizes as well.

 

[redvipe2010]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9768808#post9768808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tang Salad
Well, I think that's good advice for most cases, but it's a little extreme to say that it's absolutely necessary for all cases. I have a BTA that hasn't moved in 2.5 years. Many people have them in large tanks with uncovered PHs.

It is not extreme at all when I constantly read posts that anemones have gone through a powerhead.

"Absolutely necessary" Its like putting your seat belt on (or not) in the car. I haven't been in a car accident in 10 years. That seat belt still goes on every time I'm driving my car. In most cases I don't need it. I'd hate to go through a windshield that one time I didn't put it on.

We are ultimately responsible for the animals that we keep. Suggesting that it is not necessary to protect the anemone is rediculous. Taking a chance on its life is cruel!

 

[RedSonja]

Better safe than sorry is my motto. Until someone finds a way to guarantee a 'nem won't go walkabout, my pump intakes and tank overflows stay covered.

And to tell a tale on myself, I was sure my bta's couldn't escape from their plant basket "cages" but I still covered intakes and overflows. Good thing too, because my most recently acquired GBTA got out of its basket. I didn't think about this possibility: I use spring clamps to hold the baskets at the top of the tanks. The clamp on its basket sprung, shot across the room at least 25 feet, and basket sank. And of course this happened at night so I didn't discover it for several hours. Still haven't found the darn thing, in a 100g stock tank with at least 150lbs of LR, I'll have to take out every rock to find it most likely. But I'm 99% sure it's still alive in there because it couldn't have gone through an intake or overflow.

-Sonja

 

[RedSonja]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9768846#post9768846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tang Salad
Perhaps make a large 'cage' out of gutter guard to surround the PH?

BTA's are able to get through gutter guard. Saw it happen with my very own eyeballs. Cage needs to be something with smaller size holes than that.

-Sonja