First, I would like to answer the question: Can I turn off my aquarium filter at all? The answer is no. My answer may seem a bit disappointing now. I’ll explain why in a moment.
How long can you turn off your filter? I don’t think you should turn it off at all. Online you can meet many people who write that it “depends” on this or that. I absolutely disagree with this.
Of course, what you do is up to you, but I will explain why you should not turn off your filter.
You have probably noticed that the filters are not made with an on/off switch. This fact alone should give you a lot to think about. The filter must operate continuously to purify the water from impurities present in it.
Turning off the filter will result in a dirty tank, sick and dying fish, rotting plants and algae. In addition, a large amount of debris caught in the substrate that would otherwise be filtered out. Without filtration and cleaning, dirt will get into the deeper layers of the substrate and thus cause problems in the aquarium.
Should A Fish Tank Filter Be On All The Time?
Yes, yes and yes and also, yes, and finally, yes. Your filter should be running 24/7. It is absolutely not recommended to turn off the filter.
As I wrote earlier, there is no switch to turn it on or off, which means that it must run continuously.
Why is 24-hour filter operation so important?
The most important thing is to ensure biological filtration in the aquarium. Mechanical filtration actually has an aesthetic function.
Fish produce waste and the most important aspect of a filter is the creation of beneficial bacteria that remove this waste.
Bacterial colonies are formed in the filter’s filtration materials. For bacteria to survive, they also require oxygen. However, when the filter is turned off and there is no water flow, they start to die.
The rate at which bacteria die is not truly known. They will still be able to transform pollutants for some time. After turning on the filter, they regenerate quickly.
When moving the filter, it is worth keeping the filter media moist, which can extend the life of the bacteria.
Another element is, of course, proper water circulation and mixing of the water surface in the aquarium. This increases oxygen in the water, which is crucial for fish and your plants.
Can I Turn My Fish Tank Filter Off at Night?
First of all, answer the question why you want to turn off the filter at all. Is it too loud? Or maybe Are you concerned it uses too much electricity? Maybe this is a one-off situation?
Beginning fishkeepers may think that turning off the filter at night will not be a problem. However, this is not true. Please remember that an aquarium is a closed space in which the water is actually still.
Let’s look at water in a river, for example. Even though it may seem stagnant at first glance, there is constant circulation and exchange of oxygen. The oxygen in moving water is fresh and healthier than in still water.
Turning off the filter at night causes poor oxygen flow, which may lead to problems for the fish. With standing water, we would have to change the water every few hour. Filters remove debris and impurities from the water and ensure circulation, supplying oxygen to the fish.
Please note that all types of filters including canister filters, power filters, HOB filters, must be turn on.
All filters must be working at all times. Filters operating above the water level cause water to break up, which in turn distributes oxygen throughout the tank.
This is of course the best technique as long as you don’t mind the sound of splashing water.
I will answer the question again: no. Turning off the filter at night is an absolutely bad idea.
When To Turn Off The Fish Tank Filter?
There are situations that require turning off the filter. If you want to clean your filter you must turn it off before maintenance. This is for your safety.
During the cleaning process, remove dead particles before turning the filter back on.
If you want to move the aquarium for some reasons, turning off the filter will also be necessary.
Some aquarists turn off the filter while feeding the fish. I personally don’t see the need to turn off the filter during feeding.
A short break should not have an impact on the fish, but I don’t recommend leaving the filter off.
Since I have been keeping fish, I have never turned off the filter while feeding.
As I wrote earlier, we should not turn off filter at night.
Turning off the filter for one night shouldn’t harm your fish, but if the schedule is every day, you expose your fish to stress and diseases.
How To Reduce The Fish Tank Filter Noise?
Of course, the filter may be too noisy, but in such a situation the first thing to do is to disassemble it and clean it. A clogged filter and dirty impeller may cause noise.
There are, of course, many reasons why it may be too noisy. This may be due to the fact that the filter was simply cheap and its poor quality of workmanship means that it’s never going to quiet.
As I wrote earlier, try taking filter apart, cleaning it and installing it again. You may have made a mistake during installation. Make sure the motorhead is in the correct position.
A common problem is trapped air. If you can hear whirly sound, gently tip filter side to side to release the trapped air.
Sound can also be produced by resonance. We can place something shock-absorbing under the filter. In the case of small filters, we can even hang them on a hook, which significantly eliminates resonance.
The filter differs in size and shape. Most modern filters are designed to be quiet.
If you cannot find the source of the noise, it is worth replacing the filter with a new one or consulting the manufacturer.
Sometimes you may find the sound of falling water irritating. Low water level in the aquarium causes the waterfall to make a sound.
So what you can do? All you need to do is increase the water level.
Filters mounted inside the tank usually produce minimal noise.
How Much Power Does The Fish Tank Filter Require?
Many aquarists wonder what the energy consumption of the filter is.
The filter uses very little energy, only a few watts. This is a device that is used less compared to other aquarium devices.
Especially when it is on all the time. Because we need to be aware that the highest energy consumption occurs when the filter is starting up.
On average, an aquarium filter consumes 3 to 5 watts per hour. This value may, of course, vary depending on the size of the aquarium. The larger the tank, the more watts will be needed.
Aquarium lighting will use much more energy than a filter.
Turning on the aquarium filter at night is not only detrimental for your fish, but also uneconomical.
Also remember to choose a filter that fit with your aquarium size. A filter that is too heavy in a normal fish tank will consume much more power.
Will My Fish Die If I Turn Off The Fish Tank Filter?
If you turn filter off in the aquarium, your fish will not die immediately. The filter cleanses the water from harmful bacteria.
Turning filter off will cause accumulated contamination in the aquarium.
It will take some time before pollution levels become critical. This is of course related to the number of fish and the size of your aquarium.
The longer you leave the filter off, the sooner your fish will start to get sick and die.
Your aquarium plants will also feel the lack of a filter. They will start to rot and decompose.
In such a situation, the water in the aquarium may also have an unpleasant smell.
It is also worth mentioning that the type of fish you have in the aquarium plays an important role. If you have tetras in your tank, they can survive for up to several days without any problems.
If we are talking about Lake Malawi setup, you may have bigger problems. Lack of oxygen can lead to the death of fish within a few hours.
My filter doesn’t work. How many days can I keep my fish in the aquarium without a filter?
Of course, it may happen that the filter simply breaks down. Purchasing a new filter takes some time. First we have to choose a new one and wait for our parcel.
The best solution in such situations is, of course, to have a backup filter.
So how long can I keep it without a filter? In fact, the shorter the better.
Generally, it depends on the size of the tank and the number of fish kept.
The lack of biological filtration has the greatest impact on your tank. While the mechanical aspect of filtration has a minor role in fish survival, biological filtration is necessary.
Larger tanks have a greater volume of water so it takes about a while before the tank becomes toxic to the fish.
Also, if the tank already has an established nitrogen cycle, it will take even longer. This is due to the fact that the substrate contains nitrifying bacteria that convert ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.
Of course, the bacteria in the substrate are not able to transform regularly. Depending on the size of the tank and the number of fish, you must perform regular water changes. If there is no filter, I would do such changes every 2-3 days.
In fact, the best way to control nitrites in an aquarium is to regulate feeding. The point is not to not feed the fish when you don’t have a filter. However, feed the fish sparingly to prevent the accumulation of pollutants in the aquarium.
In conclusion
I am an experienced enough aquarist and I assure you that if you listen to me, you will not have any problems with your aquarium.
You can try keeping the tank without a filter yourself. However, this can come with many challenges and problems.
Your tank is a biological system that should remain stable. The filter ensures proper water circulation to increase the oxygen level and removes impurities.
If you have any questions, I will be happy to help you.
