Hi, really dumb question....

[fmfox]

...Should I be turning off my powerheads when I feed my fish? So far, I've been keeping them on. I feel like they are spending almost as much energy chasing the food as they take in by eating it.

martin

 

[ohsweetmadness]

i leave mine on

 

[stingythingy45]

Sometimes I leave them on,and sometimes I shut them off.
My reason for leaving them on is that it seems to help blow some food into hiding areas.Later it gives the fish/inverts something to search for.BTW.......cool profile picture.

 

[Leroy]

I shut off my filters and powerheads to allow all fish/reef goo to suspend within the tank allowing polyps, filter feeders, fish and inverts a chance to feed as well as any target feeding done with a turkey baster. The shut down time varies upon individuals that I have spoken to that does the same as I. Upon power up any uneaten fish/reef goo will circulate to within areas for serpent stars and crabs that do not venture out when fully lit.
This is how I do it just as methods of water changes vary.

 

[wrassefan]

I shutdown the return pump but keep the powerheads on in the tank

 

[JohnK]

I leave my circ on, but I add the food in little bits over 5-10 min.

(dissolve some mysis in a cup, rinse, then add the mysis in 4-7 splashes, not all at once)

 

[this is me]

Mines are on.

 

[monti1]

I shut the powerheads down but keep the return pump on.

 

[Greg Hiller]

I keep everything on and moving. Stimulates feeding response and distributes the food around the tank to get to the fish that don't compete as well. I also try to feed smaller pieces in some cases so that the big fish cannot inhale it all in 2 seconds.

I recommend that anyone that shuts down their main recirc. pump be VERY certain that that pump will reliable turn BACK on. Many a hobbyist has had a recirc. pump NOT turn back on (calcium deposits in pump housing) --> dead fish from lack of Oxygen.