Fish seem afraid of new powerhead

[HClH2OFish]

I recently added a PowerSweep 212 to my tank to help with water flow and stir up some dead areas of my tank (Eclipse 15 gal)
It's working great, and my mushrooms seem to really like the added water flow, however my cinnamon clown and my damsel aren't coming out like normal. They have an aquarium decoration (corner unit with caves in it) that is their home and the damsel pretty much stays in her cave and the cinnamon stays back behind it.
The damsel was out this morning during feeding time, but our clown refuses to come out for more than a few seconds, and then only to swim around his home and back to his corner.
Should I try positioning the powerhead further away from them or wait for the larger tank setup (30gal) to use the powerhead in that one?
Thanks..

 

[PeeJ]

Not to rain on the parade, but if the powerhead is new, clean it up real good and take it back. These powerheads have quite a bad reputation for only rotating for a short period of time, then crappin out. Can't go wrong with Maxijets

 

[Anonymous]

I have no experience with the powersweep but if they are hiding becuz its a new addition to the tank, that may just be the problem...it may take a few days for them to adjust to the movement of the powerhead...If they dont start coming out say after a week then i would remove the powerhead and go with a different one..one that doesnt sweep...

 

[MelanieF]

FWIW, I have two Powersweeps and they work just fine. If they start slowing down all you have to do is clean them. Trust me, I've done a lot less maintenance on them than some of the other technology I've used in the past few years. I have mine situated at the tops of my tanks and haven't had a problem w/ fish being scared as the Powersweeps were there before the fish.

If yours came with the directional flow attachment, maybe try aiming the flow in a different direction?

 

[PeeJ]

I equate the power sweeps with RIO pumps. Some people have had horrible expiereinces, and some have had great. On a product that has at least as many complains as compliments, I'm usually shyed away.

I agree, it will definately take time for the fish to adjust.

 

[rwoolley]

I've got 2 Power Sweeps that I've hade for about 9 months. One stopped rotating a few months ago, but a quick clean and its working great. I like them.

I agree that the clown probably needs some time to adjust. Redirecting the flow may speed up the process.

 

[HClH2OFish]

Thanks for all the info...the tank they're in right now is a 15gal high and I think with that powerhead in there it is just scaring them too much. I've got a 30gal I'll be moving them into and I'll just wait till that tank is setup before I put the powerhead in...

 

[Anonymous]

ditto pj's experience with those pumps, add me to the list of people that had bad experiences with them

had 2 of them, both quit working all the time, no longer use them...

 

[melanotaenia1]

powersweep was the reason I switched all my pumps to TUNZE :?