I’m a year into reefing and really want to know if it’s better to shut my whole canister filter completely off when feeding my corals. I just got this canister filter (CF500 UV MKII) for my 55 gallon reef tank, I’ve previously had two tidal 110’s on my tank and then recently transferred all the bio media from two HOB’s to this big canister filter. For anyone that knows Tidals HOB’s, they come with a built-surface skimmer. When I would feed corals previously, I would unplug them for 30 minutes and then turn them back on when the time was up. I actually leave on my three power heads when feeding them. So for this canister, it comes with a UV sterilizer (which I know to shut off for a certain amount of time when feeding corals, it’s controlled by a switch that’s built in) AND an optional surface skimmer (which I don’t use due to preference). I’m concerned because I keep seeing people comment that they sit off their main return pump when feeding their corals. Is my canister filter considered my main return pump? I just don’t see a point in keeping it running when I pour Fuel, AB+, or reef roids when the intake tube can just suck it right up. But, I’ve heard others oppose. What do you guys think?
P.S. I don’t run any carbon pads in my tank, just some green phosphate reducing pads in the canister. Also, I have only softies in there, zoas, mushrooms, finger leather, gsp, and a sebae anemone.
P.S. I don’t run any carbon pads in my tank, just some green phosphate reducing pads in the canister. Also, I have only softies in there, zoas, mushrooms, finger leather, gsp, and a sebae anemone.
