Tunze Streams and Fish

[ostrow]

Well, I have a 6060. I have a 2.5" or so Hepatus Tang and a 3.5" or so Kole Tang, both quite healthy and eating.

A couple weeks ago I noticed to my dismay that the Hepatus was stuck to the intake of the Stream. At that point, the pump was mounted to a magnet holder in a stationary position in the back corner.

I have since switched the mounting system, with it attached to a DIY bracket connected to the rotating output end of a Sea Swirl (search on Tunze Swirl Works or look at www.ostrows.us for video). I half figured that the danger of the intake would reduce with it oscillating like that, though this was not the motivation for doing that project at all.

Anyway, came home from work tonight and saw the Kole had two splotchy wounds on one side. Then, at dinner, I saw it stuck to the intake of the Stream.

I immediately unplugged the pump and it swam free.

This is distressing though and I wonder what other peoples' experiences are.

 

[robsmith32]

Mine typically swim all around the intake of either 6060 in my tank with no problem

 

[ostrow]

Yeah, so have mine ... even pick algae off the sides, etc...

Forgot to mention the Hepatus has been fine ever since. The Kole has eaten like a horse from the get-go and seem(ed) perfectly healthy. Don't get it at all...

 

[Sullyman]

Never had a problem like that. Had fish almost get blown into corals.

 

[ostrow]

I first thought the marks were from getting blown into the rocks or something. Now I suspect the pump intake. Hope it recovers. I've had the worse luck with tangs... grrr...

 

[examiner]

I hope I'm wrong, but my experience is a healthy fish is is able to withstand the force of the suction....but a weak fish isn't.

I had the same thing happen to an apparently healthy rabbitfish and a large Seio. The next time I found him stuck to the pump, he was unfortunately expired.

Hope yours stay healthy!

 

[ostrow]

Well, the Hepatus has been fine ever since (was like a month ago when it happened).

The Kole is still ok, the splotches on the side seem to be fading though I see some signs of stress (couple ich-like spots) and one fin near the tail with a bit of a tear and a tad of discoleration.

But it's alive and eating. My strategy with the Hepatus was to feed heavily after the incident. Gonna do that with the Kole too.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I agree that a fully healthy fish should have no problem avoiding the suction of the stream. Hopefully good feeding will get them back into shape.

 

[ostrow]

Well, this Kole is one of the fatter tangs I've ever seen. Not sure what happened, but tonight he's picking at algae on the pump intake itself (either he's brave or stupid... I gotta lean toward stupid but we'll see!) so it's looking ok...

 

[ostrow]

Stuck again tonight for a couple hours at least. Looks like a wreck though eating. It's on its way out I am sure.

 

[h20cooled]

Yup I've found the same thing, if a fish is healthy it won't get stuck. I had one of my clowns get stuck twice on a closed loop intake, I had noticed before that she did seem to be as active as usual. Well after the second time of getting stuck she died. I spoke with one of the LFS about it and she said the same thing about healthy fish.

Rihc

 

[ostrow]

Well in the 3 months I've had the Kole in the display it has shown no signs of distress or lack of health. Not even a ragged fin. 2 ich spots 4 months ago in QT that's it. Ate well, fat, swam powerfully. Great color. No enemies or fighting. I guess you never can tell. Something must have gotten it down. Damn.

I have the worst luck in the workd with tangs.

 

[ostrow]

Just got back from my conference and the Kole lives! Been feeding the tank 3x a day. Lots of algae growing in there but the fish are getting fatter. Will start to scale back a bit.

Put the Tunze on a timer so not always on...