Tube nem keeps leaving PVC pipe

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I recently bought a pink tube anemone and was told that a pvc pipe will do for allowing it to create its tube. The problem is after a few days of staying in, it floats out and stings all my coral during its drifting all over the tank. I moved it into one of those plastic corrugated tubes used to house wires to see if that would help but it hasn’t. So I had to place a piece of string across the tube to keep it from floating out. Also, I have a bare bottom tank so placing it in the sand isn’t much of an option. I was wondering if anyone has one in a similar tank set up and if so how are you making it work?

 

[TriggerFinger]

I was under the impression these used sand to create their tube?

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I was thinking the same but I’ve seen several others using PVC.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Here’s a closer pic. Looking for any suggestions...

 

[reef lover]

Fill the pvc with sand...can even get an endcap so it doesnt come out the bottom. They really do need sand even while in pvc. Or you could try a sandbox and plant it in there....

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

It may also be telling you that it’s not happy with its location. Looks like it might be getting too much flow?

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

@reef lover great! I will try that tomorrow on my day off! and @LobsterOfJustice good point and observation! I'll make sure I have it in less flow. Do they like low to no flow?

 

[reef lover]

Just so hes not bent over would be good.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

@reef lover Do they like low to no flow?

I don’t have specific experience with them, but I just noticed that in both your pictures the anemone seems to have all its tentacles pushed back and blown down, whereas most pictures I’ve seen (i.e. google image search) shows the tentacles up over the anemone with maybe the tips leaning to one side from a gentle current.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

So quick update. After work I went to Lowes to get some PVC to fill with sand and when I got home the tube nem had left the corrugated tube and was floating in the tank. It must have gotten blown into my black widow nem because the BW was releasing a thick stream of brown stuff (zooxanthellae?) and it’s mouth was wide open with its guts (?) coming out!!! So I thought it was done for...so I built a new tube filled with sand and in a low flow area. it looks Like everything is going well with the BW making a full recovery and the tube nem not having as much flow (I have a net around it only because we leave tomorrow for a vacation and I don’t want to run the risk of it leaving again with I’m out of town!)

BW after the incident:

BW now:

Tube nem in new home

Thanks!!

 

[reef lover]

Welcome!

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Just a quick update. It’s been over a month and the PVC with sand worked very well for my bare bottom! The tube nem has also gotten much bigger too!

 

[reef lover]

Glad to hear!Thanks for the update!

 

[Marie7]

I recently bought a pink tube anemone and was told that a pvc pipe will do for allowing it to create its tube. The problem is after a few days of staying in, it floats out and stings all my coral during its drifting all over the tank. I moved it into one of those plastic corrugated tubes used to house wires to see if that would help but it hasn’t. So I had to place a piece of string across the tube to keep it from floating out. Also, I have a bare bottom tank so placing it in the sand isn’t much of an option. I was wondering if anyone has one in a similar tank set up and if so how are you making it work?

 

[reef lover]

They really do need sand. Try filling a capped pvc with sand and bury him in it.

 

[HybridHerp]

The ones at my job I've kept in those quart sized containers you get when you order soup from chinese take out and filled them with several inches of sand. We've had some for at least 6 months now...maybe even over a year I'm not 100% sure. Seem to do well and I think one of them split at one point too.