How to Protect an Anemone from a Powerhead – 8/19/07
Hello!
<Hello, Brenda here>
I have two Hydor Koralia Powerheads in my tank and had a gorgeous anemone that is no longer with us as I came home one night and he got caught up in the powerhead.
<Ouch!>
Needless to say, it was a VERY SAD night. I definitely want to get another anemone and today I wrapped the powerhead with some fiberglass screen. However, I noticed that the flow of water has greatly diminished. My question is do you have any suggestions as to how I can remedy this? Is there some other tactic to prevent this from happening again without buying another powerhead?
<Not without decreasing your flow.>
If I do need to buy another powerhead, what would you recommend?
<First, I don’t recommend the use of powerheads with anemones. The Hydor Koralia is a difficult powerhead to cover. A powerhead that comes with a pre-filter sponge would help, but is not 100% safe. I have seen an anemone loose some tentacles when it got too close to the sponge. Many have been successful using needle point canvas around their intakes. You can cut this to any shape you want, and tie the sections together with fishing line. Again, this method is not 100% safe. It is important that the canvas is not directly located on the intake, but kept a few inches away. If kept too close, the anemone can still get pulled through the canvas. There is more information with pictures located here. http://www.karensroseanemones.com/coverpowerheads.htm Hopefully, someday we will see a powerhead manufactured that is 100% safe for our anemones.>
Thank you! You all are phenomenal!!!
<You’re Welcome! I hope this helps! Brenda>

Attaching Maxijet 1200 to a magnet  - 03/12/2006
Hi,
I have been trouble
<Mmm>
attaching my MaxiJet 1200 to the walls of my 120 with the suction cups provided.  Some suggest gluing/using epoxy to attach the pump to a algae scraper magnet.  In your experience, will such a setup damage the impeller (when used in conjunction with a wavemaker).
Thanks
<Shouldn't affect the impeller. BobF>

Paint inside tank
Quick question. Do you guys know if there is a paint I can use to cover my powerheads? I have these teal colored PH and if I could tape it up and make sure that after it dries it can still be taken apart I would like to paint or spray it black. I know people have painted or sprayed their PVC. Does anyone know what kind of paint that is?
Thank you in advance.
<You might try epoxy paints... but even they will wear given the heat generated by the powerheads. Better to "hide" them behind rock, decor. Bob Fenner>
Josh

9-10 Foot Power Cord for Small Pump  11/17/05
I have a saltwater aquarium (cylinder shape) that is in the center of our spiral staircase and measures 8 feet tall and 4 feet in diameter. 
<Wowzah!>
I would like to purchase a small pump (maybe Rio?) to submerge in the tank, mounted near the bottom to circulate water slightly around the bottom of the tank.
<Mmm, I would investigate a bit more, look for a better-regarded manufacturer/line>
I have good circulation at the top of the tank, but I feel there is stagnant water at the bottom and am concerned about high nitrates at the bottom of the tank.
<Need to circulate all... including top to bottom... you might "tilt" your pump/discharges accordingly>
Unfortunately, I have not been able to obtain a small pump with a power cord longer than 6 feet. Ideally, I would prefer a pump with a 9-10 feet power cord, but I would settle for one that has a 8 ft cord. Any suggestions or direction to a source of supply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 
Brett
<Mmm, I would contact the manufacturers (by name) directly re... it isn't hard/impractical to splice an extension and make this water proof... but the companies actually making these units can/will make special orders (I'd get double the number you want and save the other set for back-up). Cheers, Bob Fenner> 

Re: 9-10 Foot Power Cord for Small Pump  11/17/05
Bob,
<Brett>
Thank you for your response to my question! I am impressed by your timeliness - I work at Toyota where providing the best Customer Support is ingrained in everything we do and I appreciate your quick response.
<Ah, an excellent company all the way around... I grew up in Japan, visited "Toyoda" (not a mis-spelling for you browsers), and can remember how amazingly clean everything was... no buttons, watches on the employees (lest finishes be scratched)... all working together harmoniously... And have owned Toyotas (trucks mostly the 22R engines, wife has a Prius)... And what do they "run" the co. on? Capital! Not debt! How un-American... Forget "super-discounts"... Uhh, just make quality products, supply good svc.... am sure you would say about the same...>
I will pursue the advice to contact the pump manufacturers directly for a custom length power cord. Do you have any contact info for pump manufacturers?
<Mmm, yes... Can be found by the distributors names (Hagen in Canada, Aquarium Systems, TAAM-Rio...>
Since you do not seem impressed with Rio, I would welcome any other names (phone numbers or websites) that I could pursue.
Thank you again for your cooperation!
Brett
<Please make it known if you'd like help finding these. Out of time for now. Cheers, BobF>