Powerhead "Night Mode"

[Atomikk]

Originally Posted by DanG

I use night mode on my vortech because 3200gph is a lot of flow 24/7. In night mode it drops to half that.
I agree with fkshiu about the polyps being able to grab food. Also, the ocean is usually calmer at night.

That is a very relative statement. A calm ocean at night is most likely more turbulent than any highest setting that you can set on your wavemaker during the day in your tank. Having said that, your corals and fish respire exponentially at night, meaning that you need MORE oxygen, and not less. By lowering your pumps, you are lessening the surface agitation and reducing gas exchange. Lower gas exchange, lower oxygen levels in the 4-5am parts of the day. Basically, you will be depriving your tank from breathing.

Night mode is one of those features that never made any sense to a lot of experts, for now obvious reasons. You guys should consider NOT lowering your pumps settings at night.