Why

[atmmachine816]

I neve started fish the right way and I know your'e supposed to turn your filter and heater off when you gravel vac, but why. Doesn't it make the applicanses not last as long too since you keep unplugging them since they have no on and off switch? I know the filter is so it doesn't suck up all the junk but what else. Silly question right?

 

[Bloo]

No question is a stupid question

This is an expensive reason why you should put your heater off.

For a similar reason you should turn your filter off too. If it doesn't have the water to pump through it, you will wear down and possibly burn out the motor.

But if you are doing a very small water change where the water level does not drop below the filter intake, you can leave the filter on. But it's good safety practive to switch off all electrical equipment when you stick your hand in water.

 

[atmmachine816]

Ah I see, so just unplug them then plug them back in, should you wait a certain amoutn of time?

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Just unplug and then when the water is back to it's usual level, plug it back in, no worries. If you don't unplug your heater, it could get too hot and explode when you refill your tank.

 

[dthoffsett]

Also, unless you have a heater that specifically states it will automatically turn off and on if the water level drops (for example Stealth heaters), you need to turn off your heater at least 10 minutes before you do a water change. If you turn it off right before you do the water change, the sudden change in temperature can cause the heater to explode. Its unlikely, but why take a chance.

 

[CBTF]

good thing i read this, im in the habit of leaving it on. learned my lesson of the day!

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

yeah I was too, that is untill it exploded on me. Now I never forget.

 

[Qays]

Wait 20 minuites after switching off the heater as it needs too cool down. Swtch off the filter just before doing the Water Change

 

[clareriley]

Just unplug and then when the water is back to it's usual level, plug it back in, no worries. If you don't unplug your heater, it could get too hot and explode when you refill your tank.

I did this when I was 13 years old... I will never do it again...

 

[atmmachine816]

Now a qestion about the filter. I'v always turned it off but whenever I turn it back on tons of junk goes into the water and takes awile to get sucked back up.

The heater so turn if off 10min. before and back on 20min. after. Got it.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

god never heard of that before, always left them on and never had a problem, I tend to do more small water changes rather than less big ones so it probably doesn't drop below the level of the heater to cause a problem will turn it all off from now on though, I'm all scared of something going wrong!

 

[SamUK]

Now a qestion about the filter. I'v always turned it off but whenever I turn it back on tons of junk goes into the water and takes awile to get sucked back up.

what was the question? lol.

i clean my filters when im doing water changes and when they go bak on they chuck out a load of crap too but its soon sucked back up again and there should be less of it cos u got rid of most with cleaning it.



as for heaters, i have all mine quite low down so even when doing water changes they stay submerged.