CRAP!!! Urchin eating powerhead cord?

EvilE · 05/28/2007, 11:07 AM

I noticed today that one of my powerhead cords has a big chunk of the first layer missing!! The white underlayer is showing. The only explanation I can come up with is that one of my purple urchins was grazing for algae, and ate the layer of cord!!! Is that possible, or common???

Gluestick · 05/28/2007, 11:12 AM

That sounds unlikely to me, but who knows....?
I would unplug it right away and take it out to take a closer look.
I really don't think an urchin would munch all the way down to the middle of the cord, I mean, that would taste gross...
But, who knows? Get a new one and watch it closley.

rhino509 · 05/28/2007, 11:18 AM

(just thoughts) i personally think it is possible,as far as being common,i have no idea.but the one thing i do know is that my blue tuxedo urchin has the ability to completely strip rock of coralline algae.so as far as im concerned,a powerhead cord is softer than live rock,so maybe it just was stripping coralline from the cord,and it took a little of the wire housing with it.
if this is the case,ya might want to change out the powerhead if it went deep into the housing.once you do,you might want to start keeping the wires algae free so the urchin has no reason to even go there.
anyone else with thoughts on this please step in.

StunnaShadez · 05/28/2007, 11:39 AM

i've read some posts with the same thing. urchins can even munch through acrylic so yes it probably is the culprit to eating the powerheads cord.

EvilE · 05/28/2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rhino509
(just thoughts) i personally think it is possible,as far as being common,i have no idea.but the one thing i do know is that my blue tuxedo urchin has the ability to completely strip rock of coralline algae.so as far as im concerned,a powerhead cord is softer than live rock,so maybe it just was stripping coralline from the cord,and it took a little of the wire housing with it.
if this is the case,ya might want to change out the powerhead if it went deep into the housing.once you do,you might want to start keeping the wires algae free so the urchin has no reason to even go there.
anyone else with thoughts on this please step in.

I am gonna do a small water change today, so I will take it out and inspect it better. It looks like just the black outer layer is munched--the white underlayer is exposed. No wire exposure yet. I think I can fix it, I will cover the cord with aquarium silicone, and use some black electrical tape around it once it cures. What a bizzarre thing to happen.

latazyo · 05/28/2007, 02:16 PM

I think the obvious solution is the vote the urchin off the island

EvilE · 05/28/2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by latazyo
I think the obvious solution is the vote the urchin off the island

I have 3--don't know which did it......

atblj5 · 05/28/2007, 06:51 PM

yes i agree vote him off.

EvilE · 05/28/2007, 08:06 PM

I got one out of there and into my QT tank-- the other 2 are still in there tho.....

bgiles11 · 05/28/2007, 08:29 PM

I would not risk try ing to fix a powerehead! Buy another one. not worth the risk of frying entire aquarium for the price of one powerhead.

05/28/2007, 11:07 AM	#1
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	CRAP!!! Urchin eating powerhead cord? I noticed today that one of my powerhead cords has a big chunk of the first layer missing!! The white underlayer is showing. The only explanation I can come up with is that one of my purple urchins was grazing for algae, and ate the layer of cord!!! Is that possible, or common???

05/28/2007, 02:16 PM	#6
latazyo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3,972	I think the obvious solution is the vote the urchin off the island __________________ Friends dont let friends use HOB overflows.

05/28/2007, 08:06 PM	#9
EvilE Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,944	I got one out of there and into my QT tank-- the other 2 are still in there tho..... __________________ Targzissians Are Obviously Reptilian Current Tank Info: 55 gallon african cichlid FW, 55 Gallon mixed reef SW

05/28/2007, 11:12 AM	#2
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	That sounds unlikely to me, but who knows....? I would unplug it right away and take it out to take a closer look. I really don't think an urchin would munch all the way down to the middle of the cord, I mean, that would taste gross... But, who knows? Get a new one and watch it closley.

05/28/2007, 11:18 AM	#3
rhino509 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: spokane,wa Posts: 552	(just thoughts) i personally think it is possible,as far as being common,i have no idea.but the one thing i do know is that my blue tuxedo urchin has the ability to completely strip rock of coralline algae.so as far as im concerned,a powerhead cord is softer than live rock,so maybe it just was stripping coralline from the cord,and it took a little of the wire housing with it. if this is the case,ya might want to change out the powerhead if it went deep into the housing.once you do,you might want to start keeping the wires algae free so the urchin has no reason to even go there. anyone else with thoughts on this please step in.

05/28/2007, 11:39 AM	#4
StunnaShadez Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: sacramento Posts: 584	i've read some posts with the same thing. urchins can even munch through acrylic so yes it probably is the culprit to eating the powerheads cord.

05/28/2007, 06:51 PM	#8
atblj5 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.H. Posts: 382	yes i agree vote him off.

05/28/2007, 08:29 PM	#10
bgiles11 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 220	I would not risk try ing to fix a powerehead! Buy another one. not worth the risk of frying entire aquarium for the price of one powerhead.