Egg crate cage for protection against powerheads?
- Thread starter Drae
- Start date
TimeConsumer
Active member
Someone mentioned it in a thread I saw a few weeks back. Sounds hideous to me. I personally think using some of the 1/4" mesh from BRS would do roughly the same thing with a much less invasive look.
I don't take any precautions with my BTA. If he decides to go for a swim and hit the blender, oh well, more coral food that day. Albeit some very expensive food.
I don't take any precautions with my BTA. If he decides to go for a swim and hit the blender, oh well, more coral food that day. Albeit some very expensive food.
Egg crate will work, granted it does not look as smooth and sleek.
One thing to take in mind though is an anemone can and will still get in. It is a matter of fluid movement. For those that have seen it in an overflow box, know that it most likely did NOT climb over, that it actually went through the slots.
@TimeConsumer -- A problem with your comment is the cells of the BTA can cause an irritation to both fish and corals across your entire aquarium system.
With something as simple as a nylon hose/sock over a power head will not only save the anemone but many inhabitants in the tank, along with hours of possible cleanup.
While it is true that the hose/foam guards will clog with particles and reduce the flow, the reduction in an AELE (aquarium extinction level event). It is more of a relief in my mind, that I can go away for the week and have a house/tank sitter watch, knowing that by turning off a pump the anemone will float away.
Personally I have experienced a phone call from one of my sons, while I was on the beach in the Outer Banks, NC. Granted, he had to do some work and cleanup, as I assumed that the anemone was going to stay put, like it had previously.
One thing to take in mind though is an anemone can and will still get in. It is a matter of fluid movement. For those that have seen it in an overflow box, know that it most likely did NOT climb over, that it actually went through the slots.
@TimeConsumer -- A problem with your comment is the cells of the BTA can cause an irritation to both fish and corals across your entire aquarium system.
With something as simple as a nylon hose/sock over a power head will not only save the anemone but many inhabitants in the tank, along with hours of possible cleanup.
While it is true that the hose/foam guards will clog with particles and reduce the flow, the reduction in an AELE (aquarium extinction level event). It is more of a relief in my mind, that I can go away for the week and have a house/tank sitter watch, knowing that by turning off a pump the anemone will float away.
Personally I have experienced a phone call from one of my sons, while I was on the beach in the Outer Banks, NC. Granted, he had to do some work and cleanup, as I assumed that the anemone was going to stay put, like it had previously.
TimeConsumer
Active member
I've lost a nem to a powerhead once before. No harm done to the corals or the fish, water quality didn't suffer badly either. And this was in a 10g without a skimmer. I'm not worried about my 75g with my beefy skimmer and filter socks. But after I beat a 6 month dinoflagellate plague, not much in my tank scares me anymore. I'll deal with it when the time comes.
Besides, my tank only has MP10s for waterflow, I can't hamper those with foam covers, I need them working full bore to get the flow I need.
Besides, my tank only has MP10s for waterflow, I can't hamper those with foam covers, I need them working full bore to get the flow I need.
Very good... Just some friendly help.
Yes I have two mp40's and I need to get my third in the tank to help, espc when they get clogged some. I almost have to replace them daily.
Before I had anemones I did not have covers and the flow was perfect. For my own sanity, I will always have a cover when I have anemones in a tank.
Yes I have two mp40's and I need to get my third in the tank to help, espc when they get clogged some. I almost have to replace them daily.
Before I had anemones I did not have covers and the flow was perfect. For my own sanity, I will always have a cover when I have anemones in a tank.
It was me and, yes, it is hideous. BUT, I only do it when leaving for a vacation and am not able to monitor things regularly. I simply used a 5 side egg crate box to prevent the anemone from getting anywhere near the powerhead. I also did something similar to prevent my nem from climbing down its rock.
For non-vacation time I think some kind of foam mechanical filter can suffice.
howaboutme
Member
I just got a nem and used these:
http://www.joann.com/boye-assorted-yarn-sleeves/xprd90058/
If you don't mind the colors (I chose blue so it blended in w/ my blue back glass), they work find.
http://www.joann.com/boye-assorted-yarn-sleeves/xprd90058/
If you don't mind the colors (I chose blue so it blended in w/ my blue back glass), they work find.
D-Nak
Active member
I think you were lucky. This thread is not an argument about how much damage a nem getting chewed up in a powerhead can do, but different species can inflict various types of damage. The size of the nem can also make a difference. For example, when my 14"+ gig got caught in my MP40, it shed quite a few nematocysts and killed a couple of my fish. It can also cause certain species of nems to stress spawn which can foul the tank water tremendously.
I think placing covers on powerheads makes a lot of sense with a tank with a lot of anemones, especially those that tend to walk (BTAs, magnifica, etc.). When creating a species specific nem tank, my suggestion is to avoid powerheads altogether. Better options would be a closed loop or a wavebox. I agree with ca1ore that foam guards are fine for everyday use, assuming we're keeping a close eye on our tanks. When we're away on vacation, using something hideous yet effective seems like the best plan, especially since we won't see the hideousness since we're on vacation anyway.
CliftonArbogast
New member
http://www.joann.com/plastic-canvas-8-1-2-x11-2-pkg/prd32529/
I use this plastic mesh, I have cut and ziptied them together to slip right over my MP40s, they reduce flow but dont get blocked like the foam. I only use they if anemony is moving or being introduced to the tank, after thye find thier spot they dont move.
I use this plastic mesh, I have cut and ziptied them together to slip right over my MP40s, they reduce flow but dont get blocked like the foam. I only use they if anemony is moving or being introduced to the tank, after thye find thier spot they dont move.
That mesh looks like the same stuff I'm about to use in an ATS! I think it is fine for everyday use (though the foam is good too), but I want something really foolproof for when I am on vacation because, as we all know, the really bad stuff that happens to your tank ALWAYS happens when you are on vacation! I really need to get one of those internet cameras pointed at my tank so I can really obsess over the thing when I am away 
One of the guys in my local reef club had some custom Aquamags type covers made for his Tunzes. It actually hides the pump and provides another surface to plant frags on. I'm not sure how it impacts flow and they are pretty sizable. The basic shape is conical, with an opening at the back for the pump to go in, and another opening at the front where the output is.
Drae
RAIDER NATION!
Well it may be ugly, but its effective ....
Fish don't seem to care, and they're the only ones looking at it for the next week.
Why'd you make it so big? You should paint that.
bues0022
New member
Well it may be ugly, but its effective ....
Fish don't seem to care, and they're the only ones looking at it for the next week.
FYI - I've seen BTA's make it through the 1/8" slits of an overflow (yes, through, not over). While this cage might be a slight deterrant, it is in no way completely anemone safe. You could either line or cover it with some plastic mesh from a craft store and make it completely anemone safe.
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