[zlatan2601]

How sensitive are opae ula to vibrations?
I have placed the tank against the side of my fridge. The fridge doesn't make noise and doesnt vibrate, but each time we open or close the door there is a small vibration in the water.

Does it stress the opae? Or isn't it relevant for such small vibrations?
I hope to get some confirmation that it won't affect the breeding, else i will need to move them to a new spot... :)

Thank you for any feedback or help!

Picture of set-up:

IMG_20190126_184527.jpg (1.08 MiB) Viewed 12890 times

[Algae In Space]

I guess there is no definitive answer. I wouldn't worry about it too much but the quieter the better. Also I would say a circadian rhythm is useful.

[zlatan2601]

Thank you! Will try to make it stronger, so there will be less vibrations anyway... What do you mean circadian rhytm? Light cycle? Currently they follow the cycle of the outside weather (light/dark i mean), but no synthetic light indeed...

[Algae In Space]

You're welcome. Yes I meant night/day rhythm.

[odin]

It should be OK but just make sure the tank is not pushed up against the wall of the fridge, i say this because in my house it tends to get slammed shut and you don't want to crack your tank glass!

[odin]

Any updates?


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[zlatan2601]

Hi Odin! I've listened to your advice and moved the tank a bit so its not pushed against the wall of the fridge. So vibrations are better, there are only vibrations few times a day when opening the closet its standing on, but they dont seem to bother :). Almost all opae were red until today (I added a new black volcano rock and moved things a bit and now they all seem white or pink^^).

But the vibrations don't seem to be an issue!

[thecollector]

From my experience, it's how often the vibrations take place and how powerful they are.

If it's happening on a regular basis, they get used to it and don't react.

I tend to give them a shock every now and then, usually by accident (as the tanks are on my desk, in front of my keyboard). You could say I'm mimicking earthquakes, as they happen in Hawaii.

The adults just carry on as though nothing happened, the babies react, but as they get older - they will be used to it as well.

The adults only react to something that really hits them.

From the looks of your tank in the picture above, you might want to get a foam underlay, that can help minimise some vibrations.
Also watch out for rocks that can easily move.

After over a year keeping Opae, I'm starting to regret not supergluing the stacked lava rocks to prevent movement.

. . . .

On them going "white or pink"...
The Opae can be very sensitive to changes. Mine usually go back to their normal colour after a few hours, especially if you turn off the lights and the tank is mostly in darkness.

[zlatan2601]

Thanks @thecollector ! Is the foam really necessary? The vibrations do not come from the bottom/floor, but they came from the wall because that's my fridge. So a foam on the bottom won't do a lot. Plus i rather do not move the tank again (stress for the opae...).
Rocks aren't glued btw, but i moved the tank already a few times and they didn't move..

Concerning the white/pink color, they were almost all red again after one night

[thecollector]

Thanks @thecollector ! Is the foam really necessary? The vibrations do not come from the bottom/floor, but they came from the wall because that's my fridge. So a foam on the bottom won't do a lot. Plus i rather do not move the tank again (stress for the opae...).
Rocks aren't glued btw, but i moved the tank already a few times and they didn't move..

Concerning the white/pink color, they were almost all red again after one night

For the bottom: it's just incase, to fully spread the weight in an even way. Especially as the main joints on your tank are on the bottom. I have a similar tank see: https://opaeula.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=330

You could put one on the back, but not pushing the tank back all the way. Just having the foam slightly lose, so as to absorb and prevent full vibrations transferring to the glass.