Switching the Filters Off while feeding

[nagukush]

Hi Friends !

Is it ok to switch off the filters during feeding ? I find that much of the food gets quickly sucked in to the filters and I thought if it was ok to switch them off while feeding ?

Also will switching off the filter for a short while cause the bacteria to die and affect the Biological Filteration ? If yes, then how much time is safe ?

Kindly advice.
Thanks !
Kush

 

[msjinkzd]

Switching them off for a short time is fine, the danger is forgetting to turn them back on.

 

[Coler]

how long is safe will depend on the availability of oxygen and food. in a tank with an airstone, this will be much slower bacteria die off because of the oxygenation, and presume that the fish are still providing food. when either one of food or oxygen are not present, the bacteria will die off at the same rate they reproduce; i.e. exponentially, i.e. very quickly, certainly within hours of being denied one or both.

for the time it takes to feed, this is safe to turn off in all circumstances and you should do so to prevent food being sucked into your filter; as jinkzd says, its forgetting to turn 'em back on that's the problem.

 

[Rbishop]

If you have an adjustable filter, turn the control down to minimum flow. If not, a few minutes will not harm anything.

 

[OldMan47]

I have noticed that the Petsmart where I go will switch theirs off during feeding. It always seemed odd to me but I guess it didn't hurt anything. They also feed flake food by submerging it in their hands in the water. I'm not sure what that's all about. Its just an observation.

 

[Lupin]

I have noticed that the Petsmart where I go will switch theirs off during feeding. It always seemed odd to me but I guess it didn't hurt anything. They also feed flake food by submerging it in their hands in the water. I'm not sure what that's all about. Its just an observation.

The reason would be to minimize ingest of air that would result in swim bladder disorder. I admittedly do this as well to minimize the risk. Your Petsmart seems to know what they are doing.