I wouldn't turn it off overnight. Mine is on a timer, on for about three
fourths of the time; 45 or 60 mins out of most hours during the day and 15
or 30 mins each hour overnight. I did it originally to disrupt any permanent
current that might be set up. I read somewhere that the bacteria in the
filter start dying if the flow is off for more than an hour.

jon


"Otto Pylot" wrote in message
...
This is a new pond. About 4 feet tall with a 6 foot meandering
waterfall that dumps into a 10'x10' pond that is about 4 feet deep.
Lots of plants, crystal clear water, and 4 Shibunkin gold fish. We plan
on adding some koi next year. Our electricity bill has increased more
than we had expected, hence the question. Would putting the pump
(skimmer) on a timer so that it was turned off at night, from 10pm to 5
or 6am hurt the ecosystem? This would probably just be for the winter
months (in California).

--
Deja Moo: I've seen this bullshit before.

My address has been anti-spammed.
Please reply to: replacing invalid with sonic.

"Otto Pylot" wrote:

This is a new pond. About 4 feet tall with a 6 foot meandering
waterfall that dumps into a 10'x10' pond that is about 4 feet deep.
Lots of plants, crystal clear water, and 4 Shibunkin gold fish. We plan
on adding some koi next year. Our electricity bill has increased more
than we had expected, hence the question. Would putting the pump
(skimmer) on a timer so that it was turned off at night, from 10pm to 5
or 6am hurt the ecosystem? This would probably just be for the winter
months (in California).

You need to leave it on to keep those cute little beneficial bacteria alive.
We had the same issue when we started and solved our problem by getting a
way more efficient pump. It costs more, initially but worked out over the
long haul. You could also consider using two pumps. One that will circulate
the water just enough for filtration, and a second one that you might turn
on when you want to impress your friends.

How many gallons are we talking about?


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.



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"San Diego Joe" wrote in message
...
"Otto Pylot" wrote:

This is a new pond. About 4 feet tall with a 6 foot meandering
waterfall that dumps into a 10'x10' pond that is about 4 feet deep.
Lots of plants, crystal clear water, and 4 Shibunkin gold fish. We plan
on adding some koi next year. Our electricity bill has increased more
than we had expected, hence the question. Would putting the pump
(skimmer) on a timer so that it was turned off at night, from 10pm to 5
or 6am hurt the ecosystem? This would probably just be for the winter
months (in California).

You need to leave it on to keep those cute little beneficial bacteria alive.
We had the same issue when we started and solved our problem by getting a
way more efficient pump. It costs more, initially but worked out over the
long haul. You could also consider using two pumps. One that will circulate
the water just enough for filtration, and a second one that you might turn
on when you want to impress your friends.

How many gallons are we talking about?

If his measurements are accurate, it works out to 2992 gallons, or about 3,000
gallons (of course that is calculating a square pond, not an oval or circular
one).



San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Goldfish, a RES named Colombo and an Oscar.



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