Turn off Pumps at Night?

[linz8392]

I just put a Hydor Koralia 3 in my 46 gallon bow front and its great.

Im just wondering how many people on here actually have a timer on their circulation pumps like this, so it's off at night and then on during the day?

Im thinking of doing that but am not sure.

thanks

[Chowder]

I do it with my closed loop. It comes on with the lights and turns off when the lights go out. I have three power heads in the tank that I leave on 24/7. I figure it creates more of a random flow.

[Raf]

that's ton of current, i would say keep em off to give the fish a break....

[mark]

While back was thinking the CL (Dart/3600gph) off in the late evening until early morning, more for noise than anything else, relying on the return (~1000gph) for aeration, etc.

Never did though, partly so not cycling power to Dart (believe easier on pump to stay running and might be a non-issue as never had problems but concerned what if the pump doesn't restart) and return pump only would be giving somewhat laminar flow for period CL off.

[MikeP]

Some of my pumps are timed with my lights. I wouldn't time all your pumps with the lights but I think some of them turning off overnight is a good idea.

[Raf]

edit: I thought I read you had 3 Koralia 3's...hence I said a ton of current LOL.

If it is not a reef tank or you don't have a ton of LR in there, I would tame the current at night.

[justinl]

I leave my powerheads on day and night. I would worry about them becoming fish blenders unless you have covers for the intakes.

[skylord]

With 60#s of live rock in a 46g tank I would think its rather full. If your only running the one power head plus your return I wouldn't turn them off. What is your return pump and what type of corals do you have?

Scott

[linz8392]

My return pump...im not sure what it is...it does a good job though. Aerates the water and breaks the surface well.

I have mushrooms, cabbage coral, frogspawn, leathers, zenia...etc.

I put the frogspawn in an area where there isnt too much flow and it seems happy.