i have 6 goldfish and was wondering if i could shut it off at night ,or when im feeding them?
2007-03-09 12:31:14 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Leave it on, except for when you feed them. When you turn it off, they'll know it's food time.
2007-03-09 12:39:22 · answer #1 · answered by MrMarblesTI 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes! it is very important as this does several things:
1) adds oxygen to the water...fish like every other living thing needs oxygen
...oxygen is good
2) it circulates the water and removes the harmful elements like nitrates ammnoia and nitrites
3) the carbon in the filter helps to remove odors from the water and other chemicals
It is ok to turn it off for a few minutes when you are feeding the fish...but don't leave it off for more than a few minutes.
The fish will eat the food off the bottom of the tank if there is any food there too, so it is not necessary to turn off the filter during feeding. It really does not make a difference. just remember...filter on is very important and good. there is no way around keeping the filter off for more than 30 minutes (ie you are cleaning the filter)
2007-03-09 20:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by tigerlilly2255 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave the filter on all the time so the pro-bacteria will stay alive in the filter. If for some reason you need to turn it off, make it brief (like just at feeding time, then turn it back on after feeding is over). The pro-bacteria need the water flow to stay alive.
2007-03-09 22:58:56 · answer #3 · answered by Inundated in SF 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you turn your filter off for any length of time the beneficial bacteria on it will die. Then you will be stuck with all the issues of cycling again.
What size tank do you have, with 6 goldfish? You need at least a 125 gallon--goldfish can get HUGE!
2007-03-09 20:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by Liz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your fish have been exposed to the filtered water for a long period of time already don't turn off the filter or they will die due to inconsistancies in the waters clenliness. Leaving the filter on won't hurt anything. I know its loud at night, I have a fish tank too, but its worth keeping your fish alive.
2007-03-09 21:44:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it on. Probably the tank is too small and so is the filter. Goldfish are very messy. Six mature ones would be crowded in a 55 gallon.
2007-03-09 20:51:34 · answer #6 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't shut it off for more than 1/2 hour when you are feeding them...all the beneficial bacteria in your filter will die if you do.
2007-03-10 00:50:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No don't ever turn off your filter. Only to clean it, then put it right back. The filter is the heart of the tank.
2007-03-09 23:25:45 · answer #8 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always leave your filter on. You should only shut it off when you are cleaning your tank.
MM
2007-03-09 23:21:50 · answer #9 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never turn off your filter. Just keep it running all day.
2007-03-09 21:55:17 · answer #10 · answered by Andrew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋