Power head covers?

[Fishfishfishfish]

My power heads don't have any manufacturer made covers to protect from anemone suicide. Is there a certain method you guys use to cover your power heads? Maybe something I can buy on Amazon or BRS?

 

[lagatbezan]

what kind of powerhead are you using?

 

[TessGlo]

I've yet to find a manufacturer who includes a long term usable guard. I find making my own much better.
I use 2 different things, depending on the powerhead design. 1) flexable perforated plastic grid intended for embroidery (sometimes called plastic canvas) and mini zip ties to construct guards. If you go to a good craft store they will have the lager gird sizes which works but does not reduce flow too much.
2) Fabric mesh, the type used for athletic team jerseys or heavyweight tulle. Tulle is easier to find but does not hold up as well. However it's super cheap so if you make an easy design you can just replace it when it gets worn or dirty. Design depends on the powerhead. In a pinch I've just covered a powerhead in tulle and then secured the tulle behind the magnet, its not pretty but works in a pinch.

 

[Fishfishfishfish]

what kind of powerhead are you using?

CoralBox QP-9
https://www.reefbreeders.com/shop/coralbox-qp-9/

 

[Fishfishfishfish]

I've yet to find a manufacturer who includes a long term usable guard...

Interesting. My tank is in the living and super visible so not sure if I can go this route. Don't suppose you have any pics handy you can show as an example?

 

[cracker]

there is good info & pics on one of the oler anemone threads. Sorry don't know any more Maybe a forum search concerning Anems .

 

[TessGlo]

show as an example

I cut a bunch of holes in this one trying something out, it goes around a Tunze Stream 3 intake area. You could make a similar one for around intake area enclosing the propeller on the coral box you choose. Some craft stores sell black plastic canvas, its just not as common to find.

 

[TheHarold]

I have seen some cool 3d printed ones. But all in all, they block flow. I train my anemones well, they know that if they wander they'll be sorry

 

[TessGlo]

You can modify these plastic canvas rounds to cover the outflow area of the powerhead and attach to the ring I showed above using zip ties (get the smallest you can find). I cover the outflow to a certain degree because I have small fish that will take up residence during feed mode etc. You can cut sections out neatly, but it will alter the flow, you just have to experiment to see what works for you. They are also found at some craft stores.

 

[lagatbezan]

I have used gutter guards in the past with success. Cheap, flexible, easy to use and made out of plastic.

 

[Indymann99]

I have RW-8's and have used MP covers till my nems settled in. They dont look a whole lot different than your powerheads. Once then nems are settled I have not had the covers on for 4 yrs.

 

[ca1ore]

I suppose it depends on what purpose you require of the 'covers'. I have tried many designs, and almost all of the ones that fit snugly to the powerhead don't work if avoiding anemone puree is your goal. The vortech style foam covers work ok for that purpose, but they clog so rapidly as to be problematic. I did make one that sat proud of the powerhead that worked really well, but it was an aesthetic monstrosity. Most of the mesh ones - gutter guard, plastic mesh don't work. I tested a few with globs of jello (similar to an anemone) and they still got sucked in.

 

[CMO]

Got these from wavemaker protection guards on facebook after loosing one of my favorite fish to an mp 40. They work great and are easy to clean with a brush in tank.

 

[Fishfishfishfish]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Looks like I don't have any really aesthetically pleasing options without 3D printing something, and if I do that I lose flow. Losing flow I'm not super concerned about, as my power heads are set to low and still very powerful so I assume I could just turn them up. Not that I have access to a 3d printer.

I guess I will just hope my little anemone friends stay on the rocks! Thanks all!