Filter Question?

Question

I have a Betta fish, a Speckled Catfish, and four Lamp-Eye Tetras all in a ten gallon tank. and I was just wondering if I could turn off the filter at night and if the fish would be fine. I'm not bothered by the sound it makes. which is just like running water. But I'm going to college soon and I plan on bringing the fish with me and I wanted to know if I could turn it off if it bothers my roommate

Answer 1

You can and the chances are more likely that things will be fine in the morning, but none-the less you risk both oxygen deprivation to the fish as well as to the bacteria in the filter. If there's any piece of equipment you want to be running 24/7 the filter is it and I don't recommend it.

Try filling the tank higher, and if that doesn't work you might want to consider investing in a small canister or internal filter.

Answer 2

I hope you have a HOBfilter /top filter that came along with the aquarium kit , you should not turn off your filter cause it develops nitrifying bacteria on it, when it gets dry the bacteria dies off. this bacteria is beneficial to the aquarium it stabilizes the water parameters, consumes harmful ammonia. within a period of 3-4 hours it'll die without water, it'll again take time to get cultivated on filter media(usually sponge) about days(called as cycling process), if this process doesnt happen the tank is not stabilized, every time switching filter on and off, will not let the bacteria form, fishes are always stressed as a result, though many tough fishes survive that, but it isn't a good thing to stress them out this way. Increase the water so that sound of rippling water is minimised.
It is a fact that 70-80% of fishkeepers dont know about the cycling process, to know more about it just search it on the internet, u'll get enough information.

Answer 3

you can, for alittle while. Do you have an air pump running.

With the current off you risk the fish dieing due to a lack of oxygen. The betta will be fine as it is a labyrinth fish, but the catfish and tetras arent.

A solution that you can do is get an airpump with an airstone and run that at night (it should be on 24/7) and then at night you can turn off the filter if it bothers your room mate.


P.S im going to college next year and planning on bringing one of my saltwater tanks and one of my freshwater tanks, So please email me and let me know how it works out with roommates.

Answer 4

Six fishes? Assuming they're all about an inch long, it shouldn't be a problem once in a while.

An undergravel filter with a power filter type pump is nearly silent. That might be your best option at night. You really don't want to stress your biofiltration.

Answer 5

Maybe one of those in-tank style filters would be a better option for you. They're quiet so it won't disturb your roommate and will provide adequate filtration depending on your tank size. You never mention the size of your aquarium.

Whisper In-Tank Power Aquarium Filters from Tetra
$10.99 - $21.99
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441806676&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030565&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1187834085742&itemNo=5&In=Fish&N=2030059+4294966870&Ne=2

Answer 6

It would be ill advised, you could get away with it once in awhile but each time you would stress out the fish and damage the balance of the water conditions.

Answer 7

Well yes you can but only do it right when your going to bed and turn it on right away when you get up

Answer 8

its not really a good idea and its better on 24/7.

I suppose it would be ok but remember to switch it back on.

Maybe buy a timer switch so you wont forget to turn it back on

Answer 9

the fish wont die after one night but i wouldnt do it everyday

Answer 10

yes its fine