Do SPS corals benefit from sleep mode?

[Jfannin]

I have a 40g breeder mostly SPS and a LPS or two.

FLOW:
• MP5(500gph) return from sump with custom flow excelerators on the return line
• Vortech MP40 reef crest mode (max)
• Vortech MP10 reef crest mode (max)

When I set the MP's up I started them on RC mode a different times so that their both not doing the same thing at the same time. Figured more random that way IDK.

So should i use the Sleep mode on them, maybe just one of them, or not at all

WILL MY CORALS LOVE ME FOR IT?

How do you all have your tanks?

 

[Ostentum]

2 mp40s reefcrest antisync and night mode. Fish might like you more for sleep mode. Reefs do calm down a little at night hince why vortech put the night mode on the pumps.

 

[urbaneks]

I'm in the process of setting up my tank with 2 MP40's. I was planning RC Mode sync with night mode as well. Don't have any experience with the MP40s yet so it's just a plan at this point.

 

[glennr1978]

2 mp40s reefcrest antisync and night mode. Fish might like you more for sleep mode. Reefs do calm down a little at night hince why vortech put the night mode on the pumps.

Not to start an arguement, but I just don't understand the logic behind this statement. Why do some people believe that the water calms down on a reef at night? Waves dont stop breaking, and tidal changes don't stop changing regardless of whether or not the sun is up.

Honestly, I think the only reason ecotech added the "night mode" to vortech pumps is because so many people like to personify their fish tanks. Having the night mode for thier fish makes it easier for some people to sleep at night, lol.

 

[glennr1978]

I have a 40g breeder mostly SPS and a LPS or two.

FLOW:
"¢ MP5(500gph) return from sump with custom flow excelerators on the return line
"¢ Vortech MP40 reef crest mode (max)
"¢ Vortech MP10 reef crest mode (max)

When I set the MP's up I started them on RC mode a different times so that their both not doing the same thing at the same time. Figured more random that way IDK.

So should i use the Sleep mode on them, maybe just one of them, or not at all

WILL MY CORALS LOVE ME FOR IT?

How do you all have your tanks?

My tank is set up in a very similar manner. I'm running my mp10 at about ~70%
( I would run it at 100% but due to my my aquascape and the placement of the mp10 70% is about as high as I can go without completely blasting a few of my corals) and my mp20 at 100%. Both are on reef crest random 24/7. My SPS love me.

 

[MammothReefer]

no nite mode for me on my tank.. I have an mp10, and mp40 (both on RC) 2 modded tunze 6025s (wide flow, and high flow mods), and an ehiem 6025 in a 65gallon >_<

 

[Gyr]

I do use the night mode on my Vortechs. I was surprised when I asked a similar question a few years ago and one RC member reported that he scuba dives day and night and he reported dramatically decreased current during his night dives compared to daytime. I don't really understand why that would happen, but I figured he wouldn't have lied. My fish all hang out behind the rock work when lights are out anyway, so I don't think high flow would bother them too much, regardless. I wonder if slowing down for several hours each day would help with longevity of the Vortch bearings....

 

[neoalchemist74]

I don't like the idea of reduced oxygenation at night, when O2 levels in an aquarium are already lower due to the lack of photosynthesis.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I don't like the idea of reduced oxygenation at night, when O2 levels in an aquarium are already lower due to the lack of photosynthesis.

That's a good point, even though (and I'm not agreeing) there may be a slight difference in water current at night, O2 and PH are easily manipulated in our small glass boxes, it's better to allow the flow to get that good gas exchange.

 

[Acronymous]

never understood the whole night time mode thing. peace of mind?

 

[boodlefish]

2 mp40s reefcrest antisync and night mode. Fish might like you more for sleep mode. Reefs do calm down a little at night hince why vortech put the night mode on the pumps.

I was under the impression that ecotech marine/ vortech actually included the "night mode" for people who are interested in keeping non-photosynthetic corals. At least that is how one of their reps explained it to me at MAX a few years back. The ecotech rep claimed that this feature is intended for the nightly dosing of phyto and such. I suppose the lower flow is meant to increase the ease of food capture for inverts.

Not to start an arguement, but I just don't understand the logic behind this statement. Why do some people believe that the water calms down on a reef at night? Waves dont stop breaking, and tidal changes don't stop changing regardless of whether or not the sun is up.

Thanks for the best quote ever! "Not to start an argument, but!?!"

To answer your question:
1st. some people believe lots of stupid stuff! "but my LFS said I could..."
But really I think that the true culprit here is common sense. By common sense I literally mean what is "known" or "believed to be known" by most, not what most people ought to know.

I do use the night mode on my Vortechs. I was surprised when I asked a similar question a few years ago and one RC member reported that he scuba dives day and night and he reported dramatically decreased current during his night dives compared to daytime. I don't really understand why that would happen, but I figured he wouldn't have lied. My fish all hang out behind the rock work when lights are out anyway, so I don't think high flow would bother them too much, regardless. I wonder if slowing down for several hours each day would help with longevity of the Vortch bearings....

Kurt-The RC scuba diver analogy sounds like a "just so story" to me. correlation does not equal causation!

I like your idea about the possibility of improving bearing longevity, but I would guess that any increase in longevity would be minimal. In fact ecotech marine doesn't even list the dang bearing as part of their "wet side maintenance kit," this leads me to believe that they haven had too much trouble with their bearings.

 

[Acronymous]

good to know

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I have a 60 gallon (sps) w one mp10...I had two koralias (1400) and it was impossible to get them both on without blowing sand everywhere...the mp10 is on 100% RC and sand moves around a tiny bit...do you guys have bare bottom tanks? I have a quiet1 4400 HH going to a "flow accelerator" and that thing really throws water...my question is should I find a way to put more flow? I have no idea how I could without blowing sand everywhere...

 

[Acrotrdco]

Read this thread - the idea has been discussed before.

IMO, full blast 24x7.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1970547

 

[Ralph ATL]

Although I believe that the oceans where reefs are located are calmer at night, I run Vortechs on night timer for the minimal time period (4 hours?), so my inverts can get to area where they normally don't during reefcrest mode. that's it.

 

[allsps40]

Wow a mp40 and mp10 in a 40 gallon at 100%, a little much flow have we. The mp10 alone would be enough. Wave action works much better than normal power heads. Anyways I have my RKL waver maker setup to turn off my Korilia 1050 and night and only run the Korilia 2 at night. In Day mode both Korilias run in a random waver pattern. Ocean tides vary through out the day, so having at least a few hours of lower flow every evening is good and natural. I also am setting up a Storm mode to really stir things up.

 

[iamwrasseman]

Not to start an arguement, but I just don't understand the logic behind this statement. Why do some people believe that the water calms down on a reef at night? Waves dont stop breaking, and tidal changes don't stop changing regardless of whether or not the sun is up.

Honestly, I think the only reason ecotech added the "night mode" to vortech pumps is because so many people like to personify their fish tanks. Having the night mode for thier fish makes it easier for some people to sleep at night, lol.

i have been around the ocean many ,many times and it is usually calmer at night . the sun goes down and then the temperature evens out and there is less wind ,thus calmer seas

 

[cham]

I love my vortechs, I've owned just about every power head in the business from A to Z and IMHO the vortechs can't be beat for random flow and a nice under tow. I'll also mention that the flolks at EcoTech are the best to deal with. Have a problem? Your fault or not, chances are they're there to back you up ON THEIR DIME! Great people.


With that, I think the gadgets (flow modes, night modes, etc) are more for the reefer than the reef. If your powerheads are set up right, turn them on 100% and let them run.

Detritus doesn't sleep, neither do corals. Mine love to eat at night. More the reason to have things in suspension

 

[tqpolo]

Another way to look at it is the corals will be able to grab any food particles easier when there is calmer water.

 

[fcmatt]

another vote for no sleep mode. i figure my fish have have to use more energy to "sleep" at
night and therefore i just feed them well to make up for this.