On Wed, 30 Mar 2005 19:51:21 -0500, "RichToyBox"
wrote:

The only reason for taking a filter off line, IMO, is to prevent it freezing
solid and breaking. If the filter has water running through it, it is very
difficult to get it to freeze. If a power outage occurs when the
temperatures are very low, it is a possibility. Get it started, and the
bacteria, though slow to grow at lower temperatures will start to develop
the colonies and when the fish wake up and start generating more ammonia, it
will be starting to work.

Ditto with RTB. Newest data shows it is better to keep the filter running,
even in northern climes. By passing of waterfalls and slowing the flow is
what a lot of us are doing now. Really helps the start up go smoother in
the spring. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
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