shutting a system down at night

I think it would be stressful on your livestock.
Don

 

is there anybody out there who has actually seen first hand that shutting off your skimmer and return pump for say 10 hours a day has made a noticable difference in there tank over time??? Or dose every body leave everything on because they were told to do it that way and everything will die if they dont...

Are these ecosystems we create in or home really as sensitive as we think they are. I think as long as we keep are water temp and salt level stable and only top off with RO water and a small water change every couple weeks you might be suprised how good things still look when shutting a system down at night.

Keep in mind this is from my experience with a 30 gallon reef and only skimming for filtration.. As of yesterday i am now running a 120 gallon with sump and skimmer.

 

if your heater is in your sump, and your sump isn't running, then your tank will not be controlled at night.

if your heater is in the DT, you will send a such of cold or hot water when you turn the pump back on. its a lose-lose situation.

 

IMO, you will be fine. If you are concerned about cold water quickly re-entering your system from your sump in the morning, buy another heater for the sump. Changes in pH, nitrates etc. will be very minimal over a 10 hour time period and those minimal changes will slowly occur over the course of ten hours. Fish and corals can handle slow changes in water conditions; that's what you are doing when you are acclimating fish and corals to your tank after you buy new ones. Not to mention, water conditions change in the ocean during the day and night time hours anyways. If you notice that your system is being stressed, then consider other options, but I don't think you will have a problem.

 

Plenty of people have lost fish, corals, and other inverts after 8 to 10 hour power outages with only a powerhead or air bubbler running.

 

Good point about the heater.

 

That us probably a result of temperature fluctuation, which is what happens in bleaching events (yes, corals can be bleached by hotter and cooler temperatures). He/she specifically stated that they would be leaving on their heater.

If oxygen is a concern (due to corals becoming heterotrophic at night and consuming oxygen from respiration), then apply a bubble-r. In a 125 gallon system, I don't think dissolved oxygen will be a concern.

 

Yeah, but if that heater is in the sump then it's useless.

 

for what its worth i live in beautiful sunny southern california. It got so cold here one time i had to ware a long sleeve shirt with my shorts 8)

 

ooo and i will keep this tank up and running during the night....I dont want to loose anything.. I will post pictures in a couple days after everything gets comfortable and fully opens up.