Keep the same amount of flow at night?

Just wondering if anyone syncs some or all of their powerheads with their lights therefore creating a period of significantly calmer "seas" at night than during the day?

Pros and cons of both ways would be greatly appreciated.

I have had most of my powerheads going off with my lights for the last few weeks leaving the tank turnover as the majority of the flow - which is still fairly significant.

Im changing it though because my gut is telling me is just not working even though i have zero evidence to quantify that....

 

I have never really thought about it. I run my powerheads 24/7 except for feeding time. Gonna tag along and see what other thoughts people have....

 

I have reduced flow at night. My powerheads run at 50%, everything else the same.

 

I have heard of people with vortechs running in lagoon mode at night.. you still want some amount of flow at night so dont turn everything off obviously just in case there are newbies reading this as well.

 

Nope. Waves and tides out on the reef aren't any smaller at night

 

exactly what i was gonna say! I would not decrese the flow at night, dont see any good in that at all.

 

I agree with whats posted above. I have just seen people do that on vortechs, but lagoon mode on a vortech isnt exactly "low" flow lol.
i dont decrease mine. Especially if you are a coral fan. You will notice most corals get their feeding tentacles out after lights out. Good time for flow to push around some food for them.

 

yea i agree i also feed coral food at night after lights have been off for about 3 hours

 

Just unplugged everything to switch to my powerstrips because i needed more sockets off the timer....

And the ceramic shaft on my skimmer impeller broke. WTF...

I HATE this current USA skimmer i inherited...

 

There is really no evidence to suggest its better either way but here's a few things to consider.

Fish could use the break at night but like people said the coral needs the flow 24/7.

On the real reefs there is not less flow at night but it does change with the tides which may contribute to some degree in inducing spawning. IMO its not a bad idea to select two power heads in your tank and have one run daytime the other run night time. Leave all the rest on 24/7. This will also help change flow every 12 hours which should cause and fix a dead spot every 12 hours.

From my personal experience I have my MP10 running at 50% power during night. My SPS does not extend its polyps as much at night for feeding but my LPS which like lower flow does. I think it gives my coral the best of what both want this way. I have also run lagoon mode at night like debo said. This just changes the flow pattern but not the amount of flow simulating night time tides.

Another good thought is to change the flow around in your tank when ever you get the energy to do it. Don't let your corals get comfortable in your flow. The ocean is an ever changing environment and so should our tanks.