Is there a need to keep filter on 24/7 in a planted tank?

[bossteck]

Hi Folks,

Not sure if this is the rite folder for this question, but i guess this qualifies as a newbie question.

We know that too much surface agitation would result in heavy loss of co2 in a planted tank.

I suppose most people who are using compressed co2 are only feeding co2 during the photo period, I would like to find out if it's possible to turn off the filter during the same period to sort of 'maximize' the amount of dissolved co2 during the period/reduce the amount of co2 required to reach the optimal level. Then turn on the filter again once the lights are off. Would this be harmful to the beneficial bacteria in your canister/sump if the water remain stagnant for say... 8-10 hours? My intention is not to save on co2, but just curious.

Anyone tried this before? Any comments?

Would like to hear from you guys!

[mordrake]

the beneficial bacteria requires oxygen enriched water to survive. 8-10hrs without filtration would probably wipe out a fair amt of the bb in the canister/sump.
unless you're running a sump, the canister filter should not create too much surface agitation if the flowrate suits your tank or the outlet is placed strategically.

[|squee|]

Imho, it will kill the BB in the fitler, and worse, when it starts up again, all that dead BB will be pushed out, along with dirt and debris. Plants also need the water circulation provided by the filter's pump.

You could say that a good planted tank doesn't need a filter for a small fish load though, since the plants will absorb everything.

[taz_boy]

imho.....if u regularly switch on and off the filter....chances of it spoiling is increased..since the motor on and off daily... so not worth risking as filter dun really come cheap...

as wat terence mention....once the BB dies...it may take a bit of time to build them up....and u may get "cloudy" water if the BB colony dies....

[johannes]

Imho, it will kill the BB in the fitler, and worse, when it starts up again, all that dead BB will be pushed out, along with dirt and debris. Plants also need the water circulation provided by the filter's pump.

You could say that a good planted tank doesn't need a filter for a small fish load though, since the plants will absorb everything.

hi...just want to ask...in a small and low maintenance tank...sometimes i see that people do not use filter at all, is it ok that way...as i know and you also mentioned that plants also need slight water circulation in the tank...so if there is totallly no water circulation, would the plants suffer?

thanks

[budak]

it's possible, but you must start off with a very very small fish/shrimp load and preferably a good volume of plants, and allow the tank to mature and stabilise before adding more livestock (this can take a couple of months). With such low maintenance tanks (up to 1 ft long), small (not more than 1/6 of the water) and frequent water changes are useful initially, but once stabilised, water changes should be done minimally (just top up evaporated water and do a partial change every 4-5 months), and no additional fertilisation used.

[michael lai]

Hi Folks,

Not sure if this is the rite folder for this question, but i guess this qualifies as a newbie question.

We know that too much surface agitation would result in heavy loss of co2 in a planted tank.

I suppose most people who are using compressed co2 are only feeding co2 during the photo period, I would like to find out if it's possible to turn off the filter during the same period to sort of 'maximize' the amount of dissolved co2 during the period/reduce the amount of co2 required to reach the optimal level. Then turn on the filter again once the lights are off. Would this be harmful to the beneficial bacteria in your canister/sump if the water remain stagnant for say... 8-10 hours? My intention is not to save on co2, but just curious.

Anyone tried this before? Any comments?

Would like to hear from you guys!

Dear Bossteck, I remember reading in a book somewhere, your BB will be wipe out if you off your filter for more than 2 hours.

[|squee|]

so if there is totallly no water circulation, would the plants suffer?

No they won't suffer, but they'll do much better with the circulation.

[PeterGwee]

You need water movement to get CO2 and nutrients across to the plants! A small tank might get away with little to no movement since it is easy to saturate it with CO2 but try it on a big tank and you will face issues.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[evolim83]

You need water movement to get CO2 and nutrients across to the plants! A small tank might get away with little to no movement since it is easy to saturate it with CO2 but try it on a big tank and you will face issues.

Regards
Peter Gwee

Dun think its going to work!
Even if the BB can survive the the photo period, we need the water movement to bring CO2 and nutrients around the tank, like wat Bro Peter mentioned!
Many of us used reactors and diffusors to inject CO2 which very much depend on the power of the cannister filter!

[bossteck]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for sharing your views, so i gathered that switching off filter during photoperiod is a dumb idea due to the follow reason

1. pump/filter may be damaged due to frequent on/off
2. BB may die off due to lack of oxygen
3. Many of us depend on flow of water to power our co2 reactors

Cheers

[loupgarou]

BB death = nitrite/ammonia spike when its flushed out of the filter when you turn it back on.. so don't do it. its either a tank with a filter or tank without filter, no inbetweens.

[johannes]

No they won't suffer, but they'll do much better with the circulation.

just want to add, i noticed that some of the mulm might be deposited on top of the leaves of plants in aquarium without filter, would that be bad...cos i think brown algae might develop in those areas...what do you think?