Is it safe to turn off my aquarium filter at night?
by Aquaboy on Saturday, March 27th, 2010 | 10 Comments
I really would not want to do this, but my grandmother right now prefers to sleep on the couch where the tank is (in the dining room) and is complaining about the noise, which is minimal. At least for the time being, is it okay to turn off the filter temporarily at night? Possibly putting it on a timer or the like? I believe when it gets warmer she’ll be sleeping in the bedroom again so this wouldn’t be permanent.
you can, i know people who do this, you still need a current in the tank so either an air stone and pump or a power head.
small powerheads would probably be the best option as they produce little to no noice and provide oxygen and current so nothing dies.
i would not turn the filter off over night. she will get used to the noise and then she will miss it when she starts sleeping in her room again
dont turn it off unless you want to lose your fish. tell your grandma to put some cotton in her ears till it warms up. good luck. gases will build up.
Yes you could turn off the filter for a few nights, the light should be off at night anyway. It will not be a problem as long as you turn the filter back on during the day. Its not risking anything unless its off for long periods of times like 2days+
Best of luck!
i no it is a good idea to stop complaining but no you really should not do it if you do want to turn it of maybe get a air pump and a fitting on the end so the tank will still be moving and make sure to get a quiet one
well its just the filter not the oxygen
I hate situations like these.
I really would not recommend turning it off at night, the fish need water agitation and they still make waist at night, it can also seriously damage the beneficial bacteria.
Good luck!!!~~~~<>< ~~~~><>~~~~
I have had fish tanks for yearrrs and I honestly turn it off almost every night. I have not lost a single fish, they are all perfectly fine have never had anything wrong with them or their water. I do water tests once a week and everything is perfect. I do however have 2 air stones in there one 18” bubble wall and the other is a bubble waterfall type thing. You’ll be fine.
Nope, not a good idea. The beneficial bacteria held in your filter and media begins to die within an hour of the filter being off. Also, you need something to keep the water oxygenated, and anything else that would accomplish this would be just as loud as the filter By turning off your filter for that long, you’ll be risking the the health of your aquarium, and all of its fishy inhabitants.
Perhaps you could buy a portable heater for your Grandmother’s room?
It will have some minor detrimental affects, if you run a clean tank (clean filter and change water regularly), not overpopulated, and the fish are hardy it should be no problem. I expect the types of fish you keep are critical to the decision.