Flow while Feeding

[YRon]

Should I turn off the flow while feeling the fish? 180 gallons tank and currently have only 4 tangs, two Clowns, and 4 soft corals (more fish coming soon), the tank is a few weeks old)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I never turn off the flow for feeding. That makes feeding more complicated and time consuming IMO

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I used to turn off flow at first with my tank, but eventually quit doing it that way the food would be distributed to every fish evenly.

 

[KStatefan]

I do not turn flow off when i feed.

 

[X-37B]

I never turn off the flow. I feed the fish heavy which in turn feeds the tank at the same time.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Flow stays the same when I feed. I think its better too because coral get to enjoy some meaty foods too.

 

[fishface NJ]

I turn off the Overflow/Return pump but leave on the powerheads

 

[Crabs McJones]

I put the wave maker pump into feed mode, but leave the return pump on normal

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I never turn off the flow for feeding. That makes feeding more complicated and time consuming IMO

Me either! To me, flow just assures food will travel all around the tank.

 

[EricR]

I'm always interested to see if people with overflows (i.e. real tanks) either turn off or slow down their return pumps.

HOB filter only here so I turn that off and put my powerheads into feed mode (5% flow) but the food still blows around pretty well, which I think is good.

 

[ScottD]

I'm always interested to see if people with overflows (i.e. real tanks) either turn off or slow down their return pumps.

HOB filter only here so I turn that off and put my powerheads into feed mode (5% flow) but the food still blows around pretty well, which I think is good.

I think a lot depends on the setup. I’ve got a sump, but nothing in there to eat any food that goes down through my overflow so I turn off my return pump. I would think those running filter socks wouldn’t want to have food go down the overflow either to just sit and decompose in the socks.

As a side benefit when my pump turns off it makes some noise and alerts the fish that it’s feeding time and everything comes out. It’s fun to watch my nassarious snails emerge from the sand and the hermit crabs start scurrying around getting ready for the food, kinda like Pavlov’s dogs.

 

[Largeangels]

Depends on the tank and setup. Larger tanks with lots of flow I put a few of the wavemakers on feed mode, but still keep some pumps and return pump on when doing normal feedings. Quick feedings with less food I keep all the flow on. Smaller tanks with less flow I keep all the pumps on.

 

[BryanM]

Should I turn off the flow while feeling the fish? 180 gallons tank and currently have only 4 tangs, two Clowns, and 4 soft corals (more fish coming soon), the tank is a few weeks old)

I turn off return pump so food doesn't get sucked in to the sump.

But I leave wave makers on, making the fish work for their food.

 

[YRon]

Thanks everyone

 

[CHSUB]

Everything off for about 30 minutes, however I feed corals more than fish.

 

[BonnieB]

I put powders in feed mode and leave on the return pump. I find everything gets evenly distributed before it hits the overflow.

 

[BonnieB]

I put powders in feed mode and leave on the return pump. I find everything gets evenly distributed before it hits the overflow.

powerheads

 

[Michael Adam]

I turn wave makers off, but leave return pump on.

 

[BlueBayouReefHTX]

DC pumps and wavemakers so I turn them all down to 1%. Everything gets turned off if broadcast feeding corals.

 

[Gibb]

I turn return to feed mode and leave my power heads on