Urchin keeps putting spines in MP pump

[MarcosD]

I heard a weird noise from my tank last night and wasn’t sure what it was. This morning when I checked there was a couple of my urchins spines on the sand bed which I thought was weird. Today I heard the same noise and went to check and the urchin had his spines inside the wet side. I’m guess last time he dropped the spine or it was cut off? Not sure what he’s finding in this specific corner that he keeps going there… Would an anemone guard help in this case? I’ve never used one but would that mess with my flow? Or should I look into rehoming him?

 

[Alexander1312]

I heard a weird noise from my tank last night and wasn’t sure what it was. This morning when I checked there was a couple of my urchins spines on the sand bed which I thought was weird. Today I heard the same noise and went to check and the urchin had his spines inside the wet side. I’m guess last time he dropped the spine or it was cut off? Not sure what he’s finding in this specific corner that he keeps going there… Would an anemone guard help in this case? I’ve never used one but would that mess with my flow? Or should I look into rehoming him?

I use them for my MP10s and MP40s and no problem with any of the urchins, but I do not have a long spine. I do not believe these spines will make it through the hole though, at least not the model below. It will reduce the flow but I would just crank up the speed then.

Ecotech MP10 Wide High-flow Anemone Guard for Aquariums - Etsy

This Aquariums & Tank Decor item by ChrissAquaticDesign has 5 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Cincinnati, OH. Listed on Jun 22, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[MarcosD]

I use them for my MP10s and MP40s and no problem with any of the urchins, but I do not have a long spine. I do not believe these spines will make it through the hole though, at least not the model below. It will reduce the flow but I would just crank up the speed then.

Ecotech MP10 Wide High-flow Anemone Guard for Aquariums - Etsy

This Aquariums & Tank Decor item by ChrissAquaticDesign has 5 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Cincinnati, OH. Listed on Jun 22, 2024

www.etsy.com

Thank you! I will try one of these. I’m only running at 40% currently so I could turn it up to make up for the reduced flow

 

[richiev]

Happens with mine as well. Every once in awhile (say once a week or month) I'll hear an annoying noise and first think something in my tank is broken and then remember it's just a stupid urchin.

I'd feel free to just ignore it happening, unless the noise really bothers you. I've not seen any negatives to it occurring.

 

[Coral reefer]

Rehome. That’s a pencil urchin. Not reef safe. You don’t want it in your tank. I’ve seen them munch corals.

 

[MarcosD]

Rehome. That’s a pencil urchin. Not reef safe. You don’t want it in your tank. I’ve seen them munch corals.

Oh wow I didn’t know that. I got him like over a year ago from someone on here and just assumed they were reef safe. I have a buddy who has a FOWLR tank so he’d probably be happier there