Fish Sucked Up Into Powerhead - Page 2

LionfishFinatic · 11/13/2008, 07:11 PM

i had a porc puffer get sucked into one once (not a small one either and very healthy), but they are slow(er) moving fish. it was kind of funny because he had a huge hicky on his head

goodtimes · 11/13/2008, 07:20 PM

I had a Mandarin Goby get stuck. They are weak swimmers though.

Beach Magnolia · 11/13/2008, 07:35 PM

I lost two fish this way - powerhead without a screen. Both were juveniles and seemed to be perfectly healthy up until that point.

You'd think I would've learned after the first one, but thought it was a fluke and perhaps he died and just got sucked up against it... until it happened to another one

After that I cut off a piece of a stocking and rubberbanded it. That was a pain though because I was constantly cleaning it.

Finally said the heck with it and bought a new powerhead. No problems ever since.

macchicks · 11/13/2008, 08:24 PM

I have a clown goby perfectly healthy just small still.

When I restarted my korolia nano after a waterchange it started in reverse. The goby just happen to be swimming by got sucked in I was able to pull the plug quickly but he went round and round a few times. It would not of spit him out just beat the heck out of him.
He is still alive that was three weeks ago.

I would make sure to get a screen on the mj before running it.

Healthy fish can get sucked in.

Akito starwind · 11/13/2008, 08:49 PM

I have had this problem once before. I was even using the screen that it came with. But it still sucked and held the fish to it. so I took the Old plastic Filter Pipes that where used on Under gravel filter systems and one end fit prefect on to the Power head so I just caped it off and Drilled holes in it for water to enter all over, and Its still on it.

LauraCline · 11/13/2008, 08:53 PM

Just do yourself a favor and get a new maxijet which will come with a screen. You can always use the old one for mixing your water. I have had a healthy fish get sucked into a powerhead.

pwoller · 11/13/2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
I agree that a Maxijet of any size is highly unlikely to suck in any fish.

However you need the screen or other guard for a different reason. Large debris sucked into the powerhead can clog the impeller and cause the powerhead to stop.

Anybody who's been in the hobby a while and used Maxijets should have spare parts laying around that could set you up.

It happens, often after reading the above posts. Its not like all fish have the same swimming abilities. The clowns I've owned swim like fish out of water, when they are in water....

Toddrtrex · 11/13/2008, 10:44 PM

This sponge comes with one screen, which would work perfect for you. Plus if you ever get an anemone, you will want the screen covered -- trust me.

Back when I used MJs, I used the screen/sponges without issue. Just clean the sponge weekly.

BuddhaKiss · 11/13/2008, 10:50 PM

I had a pygmy angel get sucked up into my maxi jet 1200 that didn't have those strainer/screens. Poor little guy, all you could see was its head and tail poking out of the inlet. After that, I used the strainer. But that didn't stop my sea hare from getting sucked in and basically turned inside out. I've since removed all my maxi jets from the display and only run the Koralias.

herostar · 11/14/2008, 12:03 AM

I have lost quite a few to my Tunze 6025 powerhead in the last 8 months:

yellow hawaiian tang
neon goby
skunk cleaner shrimp
molly (acclimated from FW...)
2 damsels
velvet wrasse

danielp · 11/14/2008, 04:42 AM

Don't take any chances, you may regret it later. Protect intake.

FlyinggFish · 11/14/2008, 07:56 AM

I guess I'll just get a new pump if I can't cover the intake correctly. Is the Koralia brand a good choice? They look very neat.

macchicks · 11/14/2008, 02:30 PM

Now to say that this morning I lost my clown goby. He insisted on perching on the korolia. I woke to find him stuck to it and dead.

11/13/2008, 07:11 PM	#26
LionfishFinatic Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 693	i had a porc puffer get sucked into one once (not a small one either and very healthy), but they are slow(er) moving fish. it was kind of funny because he had a huge hicky on his head __________________ " Hours spent in thoughtful silence, help us make the right decisions, more than days and days of talking." --Meteu Current Tank Info: starting a 125g SPS dominated reef

11/13/2008, 07:35 PM	#28
Beach Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Tampa Posts: 124	I lost two fish this way - powerhead without a screen. Both were juveniles and seemed to be perfectly healthy up until that point. You'd think I would've learned after the first one, but thought it was a fluke and perhaps he died and just got sucked up against it... until it happened to another one After that I cut off a piece of a stocking and rubberbanded it. That was a pain though because I was constantly cleaning it. Finally said the heck with it and bought a new powerhead. No problems ever since. __________________ Annette Current Tank Info: 45 gal mixed reef

11/13/2008, 08:24 PM	#29
macchicks CORA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North of Columbus Posts: 514	I have a clown goby perfectly healthy just small still. When I restarted my korolia nano after a waterchange it started in reverse. The goby just happen to be swimming by got sucked in I was able to pull the plug quickly but he went round and round a few times. It would not of spit him out just beat the heck out of him. He is still alive that was three weeks ago. I would make sure to get a screen on the mj before running it. Healthy fish can get sucked in. __________________ Amber Current Tank Info: 75 gallon Bean's Overflow 30 gallon sump , 75 pounds live rock, 2 clowns,1 female Bangai, flametail blenny, and Yellow tang.

11/13/2008, 08:53 PM	#31
LauraCline Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 2,017	Just do yourself a favor and get a new maxijet which will come with a screen. You can always use the old one for mixing your water. I have had a healthy fish get sucked into a powerhead. __________________ People, who have lost their dreams, will try to shoot down yours. Guard that door fiercely.

11/13/2008, 10:44 PM	#33
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	This sponge comes with one screen, which would work perfect for you. Plus if you ever get an anemone, you will want the screen covered -- trust me. Back when I used MJs, I used the screen/sponges without issue. Just clean the sponge weekly. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

11/13/2008, 07:20 PM	#27
goodtimes Nothin but Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 506	I had a Mandarin Goby get stuck. They are weak swimmers though.

11/13/2008, 08:49 PM	#30
Akito starwind Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 46	I have had this problem once before. I was even using the screen that it came with. But it still sucked and held the fish to it. so I took the Old plastic Filter Pipes that where used on Under gravel filter systems and one end fit prefect on to the Power head so I just caped it off and Drilled holes in it for water to enter all over, and Its still on it.

11/13/2008, 10:50 PM	#34
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	I had a pygmy angel get sucked up into my maxi jet 1200 that didn't have those strainer/screens. Poor little guy, all you could see was its head and tail poking out of the inlet. After that, I used the strainer. But that didn't stop my sea hare from getting sucked in and basically turned inside out. I've since removed all my maxi jets from the display and only run the Koralias.

11/14/2008, 12:03 AM	#35
herostar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 1,024	I have lost quite a few to my Tunze 6025 powerhead in the last 8 months: yellow hawaiian tang neon goby skunk cleaner shrimp molly (acclimated from FW...) 2 damsels velvet wrasse __________________ Do a good turn daily. Current Tank Info: 58g Oceanic (Est. 2007)

11/14/2008, 04:42 AM	#36
danielp Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 507	Don't take any chances, you may regret it later. Protect intake. __________________ 100g reef Current Tank Info: 50g cube reef, 16 gal nano, 100gal FOWLR to be build at some point this year

11/14/2008, 07:56 AM	#37
FlyinggFish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,042	I guess I'll just get a new pump if I can't cover the intake correctly. Is the Koralia brand a good choice? They look very neat. __________________ Most women buy clothes, I buy corals Current Tank Info: Biocube 29

11/14/2008, 02:30 PM	#38
macchicks CORA Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North of Columbus Posts: 514	Now to say that this morning I lost my clown goby. He insisted on perching on the korolia. I woke to find him stuck to it and dead. __________________ Amber Current Tank Info: 75 gallon Bean's Overflow 30 gallon sump , 75 pounds live rock, 2 clowns,1 female Bangai, flametail blenny, and Yellow tang.