How long can I turn filter off for?

[Metermaid]

How long is it safe to turn the filter off for during tank maintenance before I risk any bacteria dying?

 

[FrAnK3333]

Should never have to turn it off, always keep it running.

 

[debiasir]

Should never have to turn it off, always keep it running.

on the instructions that came with my filters they say turn them off when doing water changers

 

[B75]

I have to turn mine off when doing water changes and cleaning the filters, but mine is an internal filter ( Fluval 3+ )so I can't speak for others.

 

[FrAnK3333]

Well does it have a on off switch?

 

[debiasir]

mine dont mine are smallish tanks with everything built into the hood so there is a switch for the light and then one plug servicing the filter, heater and lights. suprisingly good as well

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I have a Penguin with biowheel on my 20 gallon and I have to unplug it to clean the impeller.

First I siphon tank water into a bucket and place the filter cartridge in the water. Then I float the biowheel in the tank. Unplug the filter and remove the impeller. Clean quickly (with used tankwater) and put back together.

I try to keep this process under 5 minutes. Also, I do NOT change the filter cartridge AND clean the box and impeller at the same time. (The box and impeller, I think, only need to be cleaned every couple of months.) So if you're cleaning the box, just rinse the filter cartridge in tank water and use again.

Now that I've typed all of this, I realized I never even asked what kind of filter you have!

 

[Metermaid]

Filter is internal, comes as part of the tank with the Juwel Vision 180

R

 

[Paul_MTS]

on my big tank when doing water changes there is no circulation for about 1hr roughly.

with your juwel foams just turn the powerhead off at the beginning. syphon out your water and in the last bucket rinse the blue foams. put them back in, fill it up then start up the powerhead.

replace the white and carbon foams as and when.

 

[Tolak]

I leave mine off for an hour no problem. Trouble arises if you let the media dry out. Keep it wey & it should be fine.

Tolak

 

[morgan]

I have a Juwel with a filter compartment in the tank. I turn the electricity off and unplug when doing partial water changes and filter changing. Don't want to get fried. It doesn't take long when you have had practice. Don't know what happens if there is a long power cut.

 

[SworDTail KeePer]

me i would not turn off the filter. i would just leave it on

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..I disagree. Turn off all electrical hook ups when doing tank maintenance. This may reduce any risk of shock to yourself. Your heater can overheat if left plugged in when reducing the level of your water during water changes. Although, the risk of shock is probably minimal, all manuals recommend it. In addition, just put your media in a bowl or container of aquarium water while you clean your filter. It should be fine. Besides, most tank maintenance, once you get it down, shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes. Good luck. SH

 

[William]

Each year there are stories of fish keepers who die by electrocution because they didn't turn off electrics in the tank when doing maintanence. Take care folks...

 

[Lateral Line]

The bacteria start to die off when the media becomes Oxygen depleted. Typically this occurs over a few hours, not the short time it takes to clean up.

A point nobody mentioned yet is that the majority of filter using brushless induction motors use the water as a cooling medium. If you are dropping the water level to an extent where the impellor chamber risks running dry, it can warp and ruin your filter.

I hear what Will said, but I'm guilty of not turning off when I don't need too. Have had the same bad habit for 40+ years. Be careful, but not paranoid!