OK to turn off Filter?

[new2salt2]

havig 35lbs of LR in a 50 Gal tank and Skimmer. Is it ok to turn off the Whisper waterfall style filter ?

[Ninong]

Yes.

[RayPollett]

Yes it is Ok to turn it off. But do you have a reason to?

Understand there are many ways to have good tanks. There is no one correct way to do things, and a lot of things some people sauy are bad work fine for others. That is why I asked Why? What is your current setup?

Ray

[new2salt2]

my set up is in signature. wondered becasue i was trying to lower the rate of nitrate production

[RayPollett]

my set up is in signature. wondered becasue i was trying to lower the rate of nitrate production

You can turn it off, but I do not think you will see much change in your nitrates with the set up you have. On the other hand the filter does give you good flow and a place for carbon. Personally I would lleave it on.

Sorry I missed that. When in reply page it does not show the signature when you recheck the post.

Ray

[new2salt2]

ok.. i just wanted to know some opinions. thought it bread it more. ill leave it on. your right about the extra flow.

[orion25]

What is in your tank. If you have minimal fish and mainly coral I would turn it off. If the tank has a lot of fish you should leave it on. Do you feed often? Overfeed? Etc.... Basically it depends on what you have in your tank and what you do with it.. I am considering buying either a hang on filter or a canister filter for Carbon only. It will be run for about 1 week a month but I have not decided yet.


So you see everything in filtration depends on something else.

[new2salt2]

i have minimal fish.. 3 damsels and 2 clowns. i have a few hermits and snails. trying to keep coral up , but still working on that so not much.. i mainly use the filter to do carbon too. i rinse out the pad every week to keep flow going

[orion25]

In that case I would say test your tank for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and then turn the filter off for a couple of days. Then test again. If there are no increases in your water parameters leave it off. If there is, run it for a week then leave it off for 3 days. Then run it for 5 days and leave it off for 5 days. Continue the cycle until it is off all the time. Of course you should test the water frequently.


If you want to leave it on all the time get 3 sets of filter cartridges and rotate them. Remove the cartridge each week and clean it with fresh water. Put another one in the filter and let the used one dry out. after all three have been used twice replace them. This will help prevent nitrates. I used this method on my Emperor 400 many years ago and had success.

Anyway, this is all just my opinion and I am no Expert!!!

[RayPollett]

Orion25,

"Anyway, this is all just my opinion and I am no Expert!!!"

I doubt ant of us are. I learn new things every week.

Ray