Poll: Pumps on or off during feeding time?

[Brew12]

I started out not using a feed mode but decided to implement it with my new build. My fish freak out and hide when the pumps turn off. I thought they would figure it out after a few days but they didn't. Now, I just let everything run.
I think they associate the return pump turning off with maintenance, not feeding.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I started out not using a feed mode but decided to implement it with my new build. My fish freak out and hide when the pumps turn off. I thought they would figure it out after a few days but they didn't. Now, I just let everything run.
I think they associate the return pump turning off with maintenance, not feeding.

I think i've got mine conditioned that when i approach the tank that means food. Pumps on or feed mode or off, if i approach the tank they all quickly dart to the upper left hand corner of the tank where i dump the food in lol

 

[BigJim]

I really have never understood the logic (illogic LOL) of turning off pumps. First off, it will prematurely age your pump. Second, the feeding response of many fish improves markedly if they 'think' the food is alive and attempting to escape - particularly for anthias. Third, a bit of food over the weir will just feed the refugium. Fourth, widely broadcasting food around the tank means that less aggressive fish are more likely to get some. I actually pour frozen into my MP60. I suppose if somebody runs massive flow through their sump, that may be problematic; I run 2-3X display per hour so not an issue for me.

What is logical for your tank and fish selection is not always logical for everyone else. Many fish who graze the rock for food naturally are not good at chasing food around the tank. My copperband wouldn't get anything with all pumps on unless it hit him in the mouth. lol Some return pumps also have a slow start feature to avoid the extra wear on the pump. There are also many people without a refugium who do not want extra detritus in their sump.

 

[ca1ore]

Not sure I agree, but YMMV. My copperband never had any trouble chasing down the food ..... nor do any of the grazers that currently inhabit my tank LOL.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Leave everything on, any food that gets past the skimmer feeds pods, feather dusters and sponges in the fuge.

 

[Chuk]

It depends if I'm feeding my corals or not. for the fish its return off circ pumps on. If I'm feeding the corals everything off for 5 min while I feed the corals the the circ pumps come back on 10 minutes after that the return comes back on.

 

[gcarroll]

I leave the pumps running. Hardest thing on most all electrical components (pumps included) is turning them on and off. I would only turn off pumps for maintenance.

 

[Robsk]

Return pump gets turned off during feeding. I have a filter sock in my sump and don't want chunks of meaty food getting stuck in it. Also means my skimmer gets shut off too because of the change in water level.

 

[Potatohead]

I use feed mode for the circulation pumps when target feeding corals but I leave everything on when feeding fish. Return pump turns off during water changes and that's it. That option isn't in the poll, lol.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I for one leave everything running when I feed the fish. Could just be me, but I enjoy watching them go a little crazy chasing food all over - it just seems more natural.

What about the rest of you. Do you turn off your pumps when you feed, slow them down or just let them run?

Agreed I leave everything running even when spot feeding corals unless of course something isnt thriving and I need to be sure it’s eating then I’ll turn stuff off and direct feed.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

This is a good topic @dbl nicely done

 

[Ento-Reefer]

I like to leave everything on. I feel this helps distribute the food better and observing the fish at feeding time helps you to notice if any are not actively eating.

 

[DracoKat]

I just turn off the gyre, my return stays on.

 

[Brian W]

When I feed my fish, no. I do not even thaw out the food, I just drop in my pre-cut LRS Reef Frenzy and they fish go crazy.
Now when Im spot feeding my sps or Scolys, yes I stop all flow for 10 minutes of so

 

[BootyPup]

I turn my pumps off to feed my corals, but I leave them on for my fish since it doesn't have any negative impacts and it helps feed my small ywg.

 

[BC-reefer]

i leave the return pump running and turn off the powerheads. similar to others, i use a turkey baster and feed over 15-20 mins. there is always a bit more food kicked up once the powerheads are turned back on

 

[Coronus]

My option was not on the poll. I turn off all powerheads, but leave the return pump on.
I don’t want food going everywhere in the tank. That makes the tank messy. I want the food in a controlled area so the fish can eat it and it not end up somewhere causing nutrient issues down the road.

 

[DLHDesign]

Based on the early responses, I've added a couple of additional options.

Need one more:
- Turn off circulation; leave on return

;-)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Both go off here. It’s two buttons for feed mode.
I feed frozen. I have a Mandy and NPS that get spot fed in one tank , and two clowns and a target dragonette in the other. The two clowns will just watch the extra food blow around , the pumps off , they actually eat it.


And I have two acro crabs , one in each tank now. I keep them well fed.
Not that I don’t trust them...

 

[jgvergo]

I have my Apex programmed as follows:
1) My feeding time is 1 hour
2) The first 15 minutes everything is off. That give me a chance to target feed the corals without any flow in the tank.
3) For the last 45 minutes, everything is off *except* every 5 minutes I put my powerbeads on for a minute to suit up the food. Then they go off while everybody eats.