Night Time Currents

[ryan115]

Does anyone here cut off there powerheads at night to make for calmer seas? Right now I have about 24x going through my tank. I can cut this back to 15x as the lights go off by putting the powerheads on the same timers. Would this be beneficial at all for the tank or would it not really help all that much.

[tanker]

I think it would be bad to slow flow at night. Oceans do not move water less at night.

[Keiths_Reefs]

I've heard a number of people that do this. Provided you had enough flow to keep oxigenated water throughout I don't see a problem with doing so. Not sure if there are any real benefits to the corals by doing this but you might save a little power.

[deepblueat2814]

I have 4 maxijet 1200 going during day time and cut down to two at night. Just my 2 cents

[dippin61]

the oceans currents dont subside during the night.. why should ours?

[bluewhale]

Currents are affected by tides. In many areas, currents subside during high and neep tide and go in different directions when the tide is going in and out.

[bpd964]

I let mine run 24hrs same speed..

[ryan115]

Originally posted by bluewhale
Currents are affected by tides. In many areas, currents subside during high and neep tide and go in different directions when the tide is going in and out.

Originally posted by dippin61
the oceans currents dont subside during the night.. why should ours?

This is very true depending on what section of the reef you are duplicating. If you are doing a deeper reef, than yes, the only currents your reef has are sub-surface currents, that are generated by main ocean currents and tides. But if you are doing a shallow reef, that in nature would be a few inches to a few feet below the surface, than you would also have wind generated currents. As night falls, winds often will lesson without the sun powering them as much by night. Therefore the wind generated currents that occur within the top layers of water, should therefore lesson. Just my reasoning for the post.

[Fishie Nut]

I have a wavebox and a CL with a Dart that is alway running. Lot's and lot's of flow. Everything is growing well, fish are healthy. I'd keep it running. Just my newbie learned opinion.

[Watch Yo Wrasse]

A closed box with water in it in no way compares to the ocean, so let's not get carried away with ocean at night this and ocean during the day that. We do not even come remotely close to replicating a reef.

As for calmer seas at night, try it for a couple of days, if your tank adapts to it, and responds well, go for it.

[mcurl98]

The surface currents do die dramatically at night. I lower my pumps at night. In fact, my Tunze controller comes with a photo cell that notices when the light goes off---and they go to the lowest setting. I believe the fish and some LPS benefit from the break in the flow at night.

[fishysteve]

My Tunze controller is the same way. All the little critters that come out at night have an easier time swimming into the water column. That makes for happier corals (more food).

[ryan115]

anyone else do this?

[wetWolger]

I turn one of my pumps off durring night. I have done this for over a year now with no changes to corals or fish. I think by doing this it makes it easier for pods and things to come out and feed, as well as makes it take less energy for fish to stay put while they "sleep". In addition since I have wittnesed no reduction in growth or health I would say it is worth it for the energy gain by not running the pumps. I currently have no plans to change from this procedure.

[ryan115]

my main reason for the initial post was after watching my two A. ocellaris pushing just a little harder to stay in one spot while they slept. sounds like something i am going to try for a while