Help with Circulation Pump (Direction of Flow)

[NaClWater72756]

(I posted this in the Gen discussion and realized it should have been here instead)
We have a 29g with a 350 biowheel filter (wheels and carbon filter out with cut to fit Pura pads in). This is on the rear left. On the right facing towards the left is a maxim jet circ pump. It makes a huge counterclockwise circle of the water which I like and my duncan likes but today we added our first clown and I feel like he is struggling to not be slammed into a lr so I cut it off for the night. Anyone have a better suggestion of placement or should I go with a smaller circ pump? Thanks for any help!

 

[ritter6788]

The clown will adjust to the flow. I wouldn't cut back at all. Try adding a powerhead or two to randomize the flow.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Clowns tend to hang out in a small area of the tank. My clowns always hang out near their anemone and don't venture far away, unless there is food involved. I wouldn't worry.

 

[NaClWater72756]

Oh okay. It appeared he was swimming as fast as he could (and getting no where). I could just see him stop swimming out of exhaustion and just slam into a live rock. Good grief THAT would be hard to explain the next morning to my little Starfish.
I did notice that when I turned the actinics off for overnight (I introduced him with the daylight lamp off) that he finally stopped treading water like mad in the middle of all the rock and ventured around the tank and even investigated the seaweed I had clipped on the tank. (normal behavior as well?)
Thanks!!

 

[Loki]

When I first got my clowns they looked like they were swimming for their life because of the flow. It went on for about three days and the finally went to a different spot and have been there ever since. Do you have a top on the tank? When mine were working that hard I noticed they would shoot to the top of the tank and I thought they may jump out. They didn't (at that time) but it was something I really watched for.


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[NaClWater72756]

I do have a top on it. I've read too many horror stories of Thelma and Louise (with fins) jumping for it. I was going to go open top, but the light I bought second hand from WUW didn't have a splash guard.
I had my husband go on a search for him (or her) earlier and at first he couldn't find it, but then it appeared from behind the rock down near the 350 intake. I had him turn the circ pump back on and he said again it was swimming for its life. I'm gonna have to make sure he has a good spot to go to. Would it do any good to get another circ that is rated way lower to offset it? If I bought a small anenome would that help for it to hide in and avoid some of the flow?

 

[Loki]

The clown will soon find a spot that it doesn't have to work so hard in. Try feeding on the other side of the tank to get it over there. My clowns even now tend to stay in a close area to where they sleep and they are in a 120. All the other fish swim all over but the clowns hang in that area (except when food is involved).


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[NaClWater72756]

That actually brings up another question concern. It isn't eating. At least not when I feed it. I've crumbled algae, used pellets, mysis shrimp.. nothing. I ended up overdoing the algae and now my rocks have a nice algae film sticking to them. The snails are fed at least. What do you folks feed your clowns?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

My clowns eat anything I put in my tank including my hand. They typically eat mysis, emerald entree, marine cuisine and other assorted frozen foods. I also give them a little bit of nori 1-2 times a week.