I think Foam Covers Should be a sticky Topic
- Thread starter Daniel62
- Start date
ThRoewer
New member
I wonder why these pumps come without foam covers in the first place...
Maybe everyone here should complain at the manufacturers (or distributors and stores) so they start putting a foam cover into the box. Can't be that hard or costly.
At least they should offer it as accessory.
Maybe everyone here should complain at the manufacturers (or distributors and stores) so they start putting a foam cover into the box. Can't be that hard or costly.
At least they should offer it as accessory.
bundybear1981
New member
@ThRoewer - I think it is because only a small number of the overall pumps sold need it. Even if it is a small cost its still a cost they can get away without. They are trying to keep costs to a minimum.
I think many pumps can get them as an extra however.
I think many pumps can get them as an extra however.
m0nkie
Well-known member
imo the foam covers are not 100% safe. so manufactures can't add them and advertise them as anemone safe. If they could make an anemone safe pump, I bet they will be extremely pricey. besides anemone, not much else get caught in powerheads.
i use the Gyre along with MP40. The MP40 has its own foam cover. The Gyre I feel is safe enough..
...... and the vortech pumps do come with a foam cover in the box. It's a mixed blessing though, as the cover quickly and significantly cuts down the flow form the pump. I have a mag in my tank and I do not use the foam covers.
My own experience has been that if your tank is of adequate size for a mg, and you design a spot purposefully for it, the risk of purée is low.
My own experience has been that if your tank is of adequate size for a mg, and you design a spot purposefully for it, the risk of purée is low.
addictedreefer
New member
Personally I am a gambler. As ca1ore mentioned, foam covers gunk up so quickly that you're really looking at 35% normal flow after a day. It would drive me crazy to have to clean off the covers so frequently.
To date I have escaped disaster.
To date I have escaped disaster.
SNAKEMANVET
PREMIUM MEMBER
I use to use the foam cover for my vortech,but my mag pulled it off when it crawled across the pump and got sucked in the pump,so covers are not anemone proof.Like others have stated they gunk up quickly and restrict flow,which I figured is what caused my mag to wonder.No foam cover and it hasn't moved in two years.
ThRoewer
New member
The power reduction shouldn't be a problem as you should clean the covers often.
Since I started to control my pumps with my APEX, I started over dimension new ones and run them only at 50% or less. I started doing this because a pump I bought with my new tank in mind turned out way too strong for my tank.
But I discovered an additional benefit from this - larva and other small critters have a much higher survival rate when passing through a slow running pump than going through one that runs on 100%. And since I don't want to filter out the larva foam covers probably wouldn't work for me anyway.
On the other hand an anemone that gets too close may not get sucked through a pump that only runs at 50% or less.
Since I started to control my pumps with my APEX, I started over dimension new ones and run them only at 50% or less. I started doing this because a pump I bought with my new tank in mind turned out way too strong for my tank.
But I discovered an additional benefit from this - larva and other small critters have a much higher survival rate when passing through a slow running pump than going through one that runs on 100%. And since I don't want to filter out the larva foam covers probably wouldn't work for me anyway.
On the other hand an anemone that gets too close may not get sucked through a pump that only runs at 50% or less.
m0nkie
Well-known member
easier said than done.. every time I remove the Gyre to clean, my carpet moves a little.. I seem to never get the Gyre to the original position. so I guess flow changed..
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
35% in one day?! I find that hard to believe, or your tank has other issues.
I just cleaned mine last night, and will clean them again tonight -- just too see how much, if any detritus comes out. Normally I clean mine once a week -- during the weekly water change.
Been keeping anemones for 20 years now, the only time I have had an issue is when I didn't have the foam covers on, happened twice. Even with sand bed dwelling anemones (( which is what I prefer )), I will not run a tank without the covers. My tanks have Vortech pumps.
addictedreefer
New member
They don't necessarily look dirty but if you watch your tank, the flow dramatically reduces quickly. I keep many mags so you can easily tell by how much they sway in the (usually very turbulent) current. I only use covers for the first day or so post introduction.
Toddrtrex
Premium Member
Was just wondering where you got "35%" in one day. I haven't noticed that loss of flow with my MP40 or MP10s (( depending on the tank )). Knowing how much damage a powerhead can do to an anemone, and the other fish in the tank if an anemone is shredded I will take any (( albeit limited )) loss of flow.
addictedreefer
New member
I think we all know 35% was a rough estimate. I'm obviously not standing there with a flow meter. But I can tell you the flow drops off dramatically. If you are keeping sand dwellers like you suggest, no big deal, but if you are keeping flow loving mags and gigs, the drop off in flow can do more harm than good and as some have already suggested, can actually cause an anemone to move.
i went to the arts and crafts store and bought a cross stitch kit, its that grid where you pull the yarn through to make a picture when you were a kid. Paid a couple bucks for a 9x9 square of it and was enough to wrap my 2 jebao pumps and still have at least half left. Been running for a month and still not clogged. Just tied it on with some fishing line.
M Woodhill
New member
the gyre comes with mesh foam?
cthetoy
Active member
I used Enkamat and wrapped around my MP40 and Jaebo a few time. Use rubber bands to hold the shape. In a few weeks the shape still hold without the rubber band. Less clogging than foam. I can go a few weeks before clogging.
Sorry I dont have pics of pumps but below is what Enkamat looks like.
Sorry I dont have pics of pumps but below is what Enkamat looks like.
