Does it damage the Bio-Filter to shut down the Water Flow?

[TimsPond]

Does it do any damage to the Bio-filter if I were to shut down the pump for 2 hours each day?

I like to unplug the pump when I feed the fish, turtles, newts in the evenings. It keeps the floating food from being sucked into the skimmer. It, also, serves as a trigger that it's feeding time. I was thinking that instead of unplugging and then replugging the pump, I may just set it up on a timer that would shut it down from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm every day.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[GBBUDD]

So long as the bacteria or media stays wet a couple hours shouldnt hurt a thing

 

[WaterGardener]

It won't hurt the biomass, but over time it could shorten the life of the pump. Pumps are made to run continuously, not to be turned on and off every day.

 

[Relic]

Is the skimmer the only exit for the water? If not, you could put a manual valve on the skimmer line and just close if off during feeding.

 

[rubyduby]

Does it do any damage to the Bio-filter if I were to shut down the pump for 2 hours each day?

I like to unplug the pump when I feed the fish, turtles, newts in the evenings. It keeps the floating food from being sucked into the skimmer. It, also, serves as a trigger that it's feeding time. I was thinking that instead of unplugging and then replugging the pump, I may just set it up on a timer that would shut it down from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm every day.

Thanks,
Tim

I do the same thing...turn my pump off to feed. It is quite the trigger because they all come with their veracious appetites in a frenzy as soon as it is off. It gives them time to find food that dropped and to pick off algae that is not otherwise available when the pump is on (around the skimmer weir)

 

[rubyduby]

It won't hurt the biomass, but over time it could shorten the life of the pump. Pumps are made to run continuously, not to be turned on and off every day.

interesting...never thought of that...

 

[TimsPond]

Thanks for all of the replys, good comment on reducing the life of the pump and yes the skimmer is the only intake.

 

[TimsPond]

So I bought this dual outlet controlled by a remote. It works great! When I head out to feed, I use the remote to shut off the pump. When I head back in the house, I turn it back on. I love it, no more lifting my fake rock and manually unplugging the pump.

I, also, used the second outlet for my underwater lights. Now I just turn them on and off when we are out by the pond at night.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NXFP8QD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[netvine]

I’ve been looking at those options for some landscape lighting thanks for posting this!

 

[Beercan31]

If your main concern is fish food heading to the skimmer you can try taking 2 "pool noodles" kids use to float around with in a pool, its made with closed cell foam. using a 3/4 or 1" (I forget what size the hole is in the noodle) piece of pvc about 5-6" long and attach the ends together to make a floating loop you can attach it with any type of nylon to a anything of your choice away from the skimmer. your pond buddies will soon learn that food will be found inside the floating ring.

good luck.

 

[WaterGardener]

We used a hoola hoop and made a cut in the pool noodle lengthwise so we could fit it over the hoop. Finding the hoola hoop was the most difficult part of the project.

 

[GBBUDD]

I would also ask why for two hours. To feed my fish and turtle its no more than 15 minutes