Is a powerhead dangerous to cleaner shrimp?

[Killer bunny]

I have a 32g biocube and not long ago, I added a fairly small GBT anemone. While it was finding a spot, I covered the wavemaker I have (Jebao SW-2) with nylon from pantyhose. When the nem seemed to be done wandering, I removed the cover and realized just how much it had been limiting the water flow - even on full power. I just purchased a cleaner shrimp, and now I am worried that it may stick an antenna or leg in there, so I covered it again. Is this necessary? If I do need to cover the pump, is there a way to do it that won't kill the flow? As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cheapreef]

Yep my last cleaner shrimp went into my wavemaker, everyone got a midnight snack in the tank.

 

[Killer bunny]

Thanks - that's what I was afraid of. Sorry that happened to your shrimp. Maybe I need a bigger p-head to compensate for loss of flow from cover.

 

[Reefpuck]

Darwinism.

But I wouldn't worry too much about the shrimp. Snails on the other hand might get into trouble. All the cleaners I've ever had stay low or in the rock work.

 

[Killer bunny]

I just added 4 turbo snails too - so I guess I'm stuck with covering the wavemaker. Any suggestions for covering the wavemaker that doesn't sap the flow so bad? Are there any that are well-covered from the factory that don't cost a ton?

 

[LeJeune981]

Try a panty hose sock to cover it.. that shouldn't mess with the flow much.. and protect everything as well

Sent from my SM-S907VL using Tapatalk

 

[Marinetoflyboy]

I don’t have a “wavemaker” but I have lost a condy anemone to my koralia. The 1st time he was only partially stuck in there but the 2nd time he got tore up while getting him dislodged. As far as the shrimp I’ve never lost any to a powerhead in my Biocube

Yet LOL

 

[Killer bunny]

Thank you

Thank you

I really appreciate all the responses. Maybe the pantyhose I chose to cover the pump with was too thick; but when I covered it, it was almost like the pump went to the lowest power setting, even when the fabric was new and clean. The solution I came up with was to uncover the pump and place behind the top drain leading to the rear filter area in our Biocube (32G), so that it blows out through that drain. It's not a perfect solution, but the pump is no longer accessible to any of the tank inhabitants, and is also no longer visible in the display, which cleans up the look a bit. Again, thanks to all those who offered suggestions!

 

[squeakymcmurdo]

Thinner pantyhose should do it, or a piece of tulle like what butterfly nets and tutus are made from. If you want it to look professional, you could fashion a cover out of plastic craft mesh in the color of your choosing. It costs around 25-50 cents a sheet. Just sew it together into shape with fishing line.

 

[lapin]

Fishnet stockings. Red and Green for xmas.

 

[TokiHacker]

I have a 32g biocube and not long ago, I added a fairly small GBT anemone. While it was finding a spot, I covered the wavemaker I have (Jebao SW-2) with nylon from pantyhose. When the nem seemed to be done wandering, I removed the cover and realized just how much it had been limiting the water flow - even on full power. I just purchased a cleaner shrimp, and now I am worried that it may stick an antenna or leg in there, so I covered it again. Is this necessary? If I do need to cover the pump, is there a way to do it that won't kill the flow? As always, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My cleaners (5 cleaners, 2 fire, and 10 peppermint *somewhere*) never have died in power heads and I have 6 power heads.

 

[hkgar]

I have never covered a powerhead and never had anything get chewed and distributed as food for the other critters. Fifteen years, I wouldn't be too concerned. But a lot of folks are.

 

[mcgyvr]

I have never covered a powerhead and never had anything get chewed and distributed as food for the other critters. Fifteen years, I wouldn't be too concerned. But a lot of folks are.

^^ Yep..
never had any problems here either..

 

[homer1475]

^^Yep..
Never has an issue either. Cleaner shrimp pretty much sticks to the rocks.

 

[Killer bunny]

Thanks again!

Thanks again!

Thanks again to everyone who commented - I'm relatively new to RC, and am glad I joined up. It's great to know that people are willing to help each other out; this hobby is a lot of fun but there's definitely a lot to know too. It's nice to get some help smoothing out the learning curve!