leave all powerheads on 24/7?

corpusse · #1 12-16-2009, 09:38 AM

The ocean doesn't get calmer at night.

The only time I turn my powerheads off is during target feeding. Fish will find calm places to sleep.

Ryan · #2 12-16-2009, 01:36 PM

I agree with corpusse. Your fish usually sleep right in the rockwork anyway I wouldnt worry too much about.

shrimpchips · #3 12-16-2009, 01:50 PM

It's also important to keep the dissolved oxygen levels up, especially at night when everything in your DT is respiring so the O2 levels drop much more - turning down the current can reduce the O2 in your tank and cause problems - same thing with turning off your skimmer at night. I wouldn't do it.

manaf · #4 12-16-2009, 03:11 PM

alright ill leave it all on just thought it was a concern for my cowfish but he just sleeps in the corner so i think its fine

thx guys!

Skimmerking · #5 12-16-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

I agree with corpusse. Your fish usually sleep right in the rockwork anyway I wouldnt worry too much about.

Just for the Record Fish don't sleep.

fkshiu · #6 12-16-2009, 06:07 PM

My Tunzes go into a slower night mode. Not sure if it helps any, but it doesn't hurt anything either.

It may be helpful in that I just dump a slurry of Reefroids etc in after lights out and the polyps seem to have an easier time feeding with the lower flow.

kien · #7 12-16-2009, 06:58 PM

I put my two Tunze into sleep mode as well (50% of normal output). I have a couple of fish that hover to sleep and they seem to appreciate it (not as restless at night). I also have tiny shrimp (sexy and glass) that come out at night. No problems with anyone in this mode of operation so far.

freezetyle · #8 12-16-2009, 09:45 PM

the only problem i would see if you have them set up on a timer smaller fish may crawl into where the propeller is and when its time for start up get mangled. i would leave them on. unless you have the tunze or vortech which like previously stated just slows down at night

mike31154 · #9 12-17-2009, 01:01 AM

Since installing a second VorTech in my system I've started using the 'slower' night mode. Been quite a while now and no apparent problems with lack of O2 at night. I wouldn't do it with just one though, don't think it would have been sufficient.

shrimpchips · #10 12-17-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asmodeus

Just for the Record Fish don't sleep.

Yes they do

Many wrasses for example secrete a mucus sac in which they sleep - helps avoid predation while they're out for the night. I've seen my sixline do it myself - wedged in the rock, unresponsive to stimuli such as a moving feeding stick and a shining beam of light.