Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem?

jcoopergd · 06-17-2006, 08:37 PM

Hello all,

question, i was installing some new moonilights, and one of the screws fell into the tank, and landed right in my Pistol Shrimps lair.....I tried to get it out, but i cant go near the shrimp without him "Pistoling" me, I can't even see the shrimp as its lodged into the rock somewhere. Plus, he's one of our favorite guys in the tank - a beautiful red and Blue pistol that has made his permantent home in some Live rock holes - right in the front of the tank....he is a very social shrimp..

I dont know what kind of metal it is, but, i imagine stainless - should i really annoy my shrimp by taking the rock out and inverting it? or should i leave it be- Also, with that being said, there's a fireworm living somewhere near this rock....and i DO NOT want to touch him on accident, and Clyde (the pistol shrimp) does like to "pistol" anything that comes close -

I've already flipped the rock in the tank, but nothing fell out -

whats my next step?

j

Cougra · 06-17-2006, 08:58 PM

Can you SEE the screw? If so I suggest using some tweezers to remove it. I wouldn't panic immediately if it's stainless or even nickle plated brass as it does take a little while to start to corrode, however I would try my best to get it out of there as soon as possible. You may even get lucky and have the shrimp eject it from it's home.

If you CAN"T see it then you really do need to find it. I would suggest that you use some thick gloves if you are going to pick up the rock in case you do have a fire worm in there and it might give a bit of protection against the pistol shrimp but make sure you are very cautious

reefjitsu · 06-17-2006, 09:17 PM

I can't really tell from your post whether or not you are afraid of being "shot" by the pistol shrimp. If so, you should know that they can't hurt you with it. Unless you count bumping your elbow on the hood when jerking it out of the tank because it startled you.

I also had one pop pretty close to my ear once while diving, that wasn't fun but didn't hurt me. Of course your head shouldn't go in your tank anyway.

ReefDave · 06-17-2006, 09:43 PM

ive got a better idea than tweezers! have one of those old school algae magnets w/ the string attached to it? drop one of the sides near the hole and drag it out! i would assume any magnet would work (fridge magnet maybe?)

jcoopergd · 06-17-2006, 09:48 PM

magnet....thats a good idea....

im not afraid of being shot by the pistol once, but since i have to go into his home, it would be shot like 20 times....ive been hit before, and its the shock of getting electricuted....the pain of the elbow on the canopy...and the shock that none of your skin was even broken!

i think ill wait a few days and let the shrimp settle down, and then probably take the rock out all together and flip it..

j

returnofsid · 06-17-2006, 09:59 PM

Easy solution...remove the canopy to save the elbow!! lol.

Cougra · 06-18-2006, 08:10 AM

Not all screws (especially true stainless steel ones) can be picked up with a magnet but it's definately worth a try. You can do an easy test on one of the other screws first to see if it'll work.

lcstorc · 06-18-2006, 03:39 PM

I have a really long tweezer like tool that I use to feed my anemones. Something like that could work depending on the placement. Also depending on the weight of the screw some directed water flow (power head or even ye olde turkey baster, might be enough to move it into and easier area to reach.
Just and idea.

jcoopergd · 06-19-2006, 11:46 PM

So i saw the screw this AM - ill be able to get it out tommrorow AM, when the GSP's have closed up - but I got a good pic of my pistol shrimp - not sure the exact type, maybe someone can help me out with an Exact ID - its not a japanese pistol, i dont think, so who knows..

Boomer · 06-20-2006, 12:10 AM

japanese pistol

They are red. Need a better pic, so drag his a_ss out for me

jcoopergd · 06-20-2006, 03:50 PM

He's more of a deep blue/purple.....He's got red and white feeler antenna, and some neon green spots on his head...

but blue/purple for most of his body..

j

Boomer · 06-20-2006, 07:20 PM

It sounds like one of the Crinoid Snapping shrimp like Synalpheus demani De Man's Snapping Shrimp.

http://www.poppe-images.com/expediti...ALPHEID AE#fs

music man · 06-21-2006, 10:46 PM

I have a tool in my toolbox that looks like a telescoping in k pen but it has a small magnet on the end I think it cost about 3.00 at wallymart, in the tool department and it goes to about 3 feet long if the screw isnt an alloy it should pick it up ok.

06-17-2006, 08:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcoopergd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? Hello all, question, i was installing some new moonilights, and one of the screws fell into the tank, and landed right in my Pistol Shrimps lair.....I tried to get it out, but i cant go near the shrimp without him "Pistoling" me, I can't even see the shrimp as its lodged into the rock somewhere. Plus, he's one of our favorite guys in the tank - a beautiful red and Blue pistol that has made his permantent home in some Live rock holes - right in the front of the tank....he is a very social shrimp.. I dont know what kind of metal it is, but, i imagine stainless - should i really annoy my shrimp by taking the rock out and inverting it? or should i leave it be- Also, with that being said, there's a fireworm living somewhere near this rock....and i DO NOT want to touch him on accident, and Clyde (the pistol shrimp) does like to "pistol" anything that comes close - I've already flipped the rock in the tank, but nothing fell out - whats my next step? j

06-17-2006, 08:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? Can you SEE the screw? If so I suggest using some tweezers to remove it. I wouldn't panic immediately if it's stainless or even nickle plated brass as it does take a little while to start to corrode, however I would try my best to get it out of there as soon as possible. You may even get lucky and have the shrimp eject it from it's home. If you CAN"T see it then you really do need to find it. I would suggest that you use some thick gloves if you are going to pick up the rock in case you do have a fire worm in there and it might give a bit of protection against the pistol shrimp but make sure you are very cautious __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

06-17-2006, 09:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? I can't really tell from your post whether or not you are afraid of being "shot" by the pistol shrimp. If so, you should know that they can't hurt you with it. Unless you count bumping your elbow on the hood when jerking it out of the tank because it startled you. I also had one pop pretty close to my ear once while diving, that wasn't fun but didn't hurt me. Of course your head shouldn't go in your tank anyway. __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

06-17-2006, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
ReefDave Midas Blenny Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? ive got a better idea than tweezers! have one of those old school algae magnets w/ the string attached to it? drop one of the sides near the hole and drag it out! i would assume any magnet would work (fridge magnet maybe?) __________________ Oceanic 70 gallon (24x24x28) mixed stony coral and gorgonian reef (and some mushrooms,too!). oddball fanatic

06-17-2006, 09:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
jcoopergd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? magnet....thats a good idea.... im not afraid of being shot by the pistol once, but since i have to go into his home, it would be shot like 20 times....ive been hit before, and its the shock of getting electricuted....the pain of the elbow on the canopy...and the shock that none of your skin was even broken! i think ill wait a few days and let the shrimp settle down, and then probably take the rock out all together and flip it.. j

06-17-2006, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
returnofsid Tunicate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 22 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? Easy solution...remove the canopy to save the elbow!! lol.

06-18-2006, 08:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? Not all screws (especially true stainless steel ones) can be picked up with a magnet but it's definately worth a try. You can do an easy test on one of the other screws first to see if it'll work. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

06-18-2006, 03:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 19,905 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? I have a really long tweezer like tool that I use to feed my anemones. Something like that could work depending on the placement. Also depending on the weight of the screw some directed water flow (power head or even ye olde turkey baster, might be enough to move it into and easier area to reach. Just and idea. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

06-19-2006, 11:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
jcoopergd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? So i saw the screw this AM - ill be able to get it out tommrorow AM, when the GSP's have closed up - but I got a good pic of my pistol shrimp - not sure the exact type, maybe someone can help me out with an Exact ID - its not a japanese pistol, i dont think, so who knows..

06-20-2006, 12:10 AM	#10 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,154 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? japanese pistol They are red. Need a better pic, so drag his a_ss out for me __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

06-20-2006, 03:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
jcoopergd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? He's more of a deep blue/purple.....He's got red and white feeler antenna, and some neon green spots on his head... but blue/purple for most of his body.. j

06-20-2006, 07:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,154 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? It sounds like one of the Crinoid Snapping shrimp like Synalpheus demani De Man's Snapping Shrimp. http://www.poppe-images.com/expediti...ALPHEID AE#fs __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

06-21-2006, 10:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
music man Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Location: Olympia, WA USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Metal Screw in Fishtank...>Problem? I have a tool in my toolbox that looks like a telescoping in k pen but it has a small magnet on the end I think it cost about 3.00 at wallymart, in the tool department and it goes to about 3 feet long if the screw isnt an alloy it should pick it up ok. __________________ someone always has something better! My first reef http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...music-man.html

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