Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Do I have to keep the water filter of my fish tank on all day or do I turn it off and for how long?

I just bought some goldfishes but the instructions don't say anything and the people at walmart didn't either. It's my first time having fishes and well I was wondering about the filter, do I turn it off during the night or must it stay on all day or always...??? Help Me!!!

10 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You need to keep it on 24/7. Besides filtering the water, it adds oxygen through water movement that your fish need. Also, there are bacteria in the gravel and on the filter pad that convert ammonia and nitrite in the water (both toxic to fish) to nitrate (not toxic in moderate amount). These bacteria also need oxygen and to be kept wet, otherwise they die.

  • 1 decade ago

    I don't know what kind of filter you have, but if it is a biological filter , which means water constantly flows through it and the filter medium is properly something like a synthetic wool, or blocks, or marble type things. If you turn off your water you will prevent the filtration from taking place, since a constant stream of water and air are need to keep the natural microscopic organisms alive. These organisms are what's responsible for filtering you tank, by making a chemical change in your water, by converting harmful nitrites into more harmless nitrates. So in short, if you turn off your filter, you risk poisoning your fish, one reason is that the biological system cannot work because all the little critters in your filter that are making the chemical changes will not get enough oxygen and die, so your water will go bad and in turn, kill your fish.

    Source(s): Years of keeping my own aquariums, and breeding fish.
  • 1 decade ago

    It needs to stay on.

    The filter helps create good bacteria for the fish.

    The tank should have been up and running for at least 24 hours before you put fish in it.

    So to answer your question. it does need to stay on.

    Source(s): Manager of a Pet Store
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You should leave the filter on because it maintains the tanks cleanliness and unless you want a dirty tank, keep the filter on.

  • How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Always keep your filter on 24-7 it helps keep your tank clean! Only turn of your light so you wont get algae growing.If you have any more questions I could help with please feel free to contact me at c101giar@yahoo.com

  • 1 decade ago

    it stays on all day because it keeps oxygen in the water without it the fish would pretty much drownd if they did not swim to the top

  • Katie
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Keep it on at all times - except when you are feeding. You don't need to turn off then, but you can to give them more time to eat.

  • 1 decade ago

    Keep on at all times,even when feeding!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Leave it on all the time.

    ßübblëš

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.