Herding RBTA with powerhead?

JoJosReef

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Hi all,

RBTA was in the perfect spot but then decided to take a walk. Not surprising since I can't figure out a lighting and flow situation and stick with it. In any case, he was headed right for the zoa/duncan/alveopora spot.

Question is, will using the powerhead to direct flow at his foot cause enough stress to hurtor kill him? It seems to be effective, because he's slowly retreating in the other direction, but I also don't want him to keel over because of it.

Before:
IMG_20211111_163310726.jpg


Currently:
IMG_20211114_144419048_HDR.jpg
 

bevo5

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If his foot is almost all the way off then you could just try to the ice cube technique to get the last bit. Just situate the cube right against the last attached part and gentle apply pressure - after a while (and a few ice cubes), it'll probably let go.

Then you can set it on a rock in the sand of wherever you want.

If that powerhead is literally pushing him off the rock then he's going to end up loose in the water column eventually. It looks like you have a nem guard on the powerhead, but that would be my only concern.

I've successfully used a powerhead to annoy them into moving...so it definitely can work.
 
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JoJosReef

JoJosReef

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Thanks! No ice cube was necessary. We found a happy medium, but it took a while of blasting him with the powerhead on the foot. He inched over begrudgingly, and I'm happy where he is now (if he stays). I resituated the PH to give him gentle sway and fed him his weekly piece if krill (was holding out till he sat in a good place).

IMG_20211114_183906272_HDR.jpg
 

ahiggins

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Usually the best time to pluck and move them is when they’re already on the move :) good luck
 

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