Switch system off overnight?

[BlueWolf]

Hi guys
I have read that some people switch of their water circulation over night, I assume that the air pump is running 24/7.

I'm currently working out6 the power requirements for my system because I will be running it on Solar.

Is it possible or advisable to switch of the water circulation over night? This would mean that the fish only get cleaned water during the day. Is the idea behind this that the plants only filter during the day anyway? And does this mean that during the day more then then the fish tank capacity should be circulated per hour?

Sorry more then one question in this.

[GaryD]

Hi Bluewolf,

Somepeople do switch their water pumps overnight.....usually to avoid heat loss.

Dissolved oxygen levels will be lowest in the early morning and this will be exacerbated even further if your water pumps are not operating.

If you go down that track, ensure that you have air pumps going.

Gary

[aussieap]

Hi Blue. Switching the pumps off overnight is primarily about 2 things, saving power and reducing heat loss from water flooding your grow bed.
Purely from a fish health point of view, run ur pump 24/7. However if ur stocking densities are low perhaps just one cycle in the middle of the night to freshen the water up. I am sure others will have further opinions, hope this helps.

[Outbackozzie]

Depends on density as already pointed out.

In the middle of winter I run 1 pump cycle at 2 am, apart from that pumps are off from 8pm to 8am.

I have a lot more fish this year, so the water quality will have to be closely watched :)