Aeration In Tank

[sussexgirl]

I'm thinking in the new year of putting some type of aeration in the tank. I've read on here countless times that you should increase aeration in your tank when medicating but so far I've not been able to do that and I've just placed my second filter higher up in the tank so that the higher fall of water makes more bubbles. This isn't very effective in such a tall tank, especially for my bottom dwellers.

Anyway, I've looked at airstones, fountains through to tacky divers (sorry if there are any diver fans on here!) and I think that I'd like to have an air curtain. I just wanted to know anyone's opinion/experience with aeration (especially air curtains) and what you all think is the best type/make.

Thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

by far the best way to get air into the tank is how you have done already, by surface disruption with your filter, as long as the surface is moving loads and there's a decent flow of water round the tank that will provide plenty enough airation

however if you want to add an air curtain this will help, but don't be under any illusions that it will make much difference to the bottom of your tank, the bubbles generally reach the surface before they have time to react with the water to get oxygen into it, they help by increasing surface agitation.

for the actual curtain I don't think any make/model is best, the bit that matters is the pump. get a decent size one and that'll make it most effective.

 

[methodmza_uk]

I use my filter like Miss Wiggle said.

Just turned the spout thing from my Juwel filter and pointed it up so it is disrupting the surface.

It also makes a soothing splashing noise. haha

 

[sussexgirl]

by far the best way to get air into the tank is how you have done already, by surface disruption with your filter, as long as the surface is moving loads and there's a decent flow of water round the tank that will provide plenty enough airation

however if you want to add an air curtain this will help, but don't be under any illusions that it will make much difference to the bottom of your tank, the bubbles generally reach the surface before they have time to react with the water to get oxygen into it, they help by increasing surface agitation.

for the actual curtain I don't think any make/model is best, the bit that matters is the pump. get a decent size one and that'll make it most effective.

so don't you think there is really any benefit to the fish having extra aeration in the tank all the time or is it more aesthetics? I think air curtains look really nice but I was buying one because I thought it was a health benefit. If my filter is doing the same job then I'll save my money and maybe invest in some moonlights or bogwood instead.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

by far the best way to get air into the tank is how you have done already, by surface disruption with your filter, as long as the surface is moving loads and there's a decent flow of water round the tank that will provide plenty enough airation

however if you want to add an air curtain this will help, but don't be under any illusions that it will make much difference to the bottom of your tank, the bubbles generally reach the surface before they have time to react with the water to get oxygen into it, they help by increasing surface agitation.

for the actual curtain I don't think any make/model is best, the bit that matters is the pump. get a decent size one and that'll make it most effective.

so don't you think there is really any benefit to the fish having extra aeration in the tank all the time or is it more aesthetics? I think air curtains look really nice but I was buying one because I thought it was a health benefit. If my filter is doing the same job then I'll save my money and maybe invest in some moonlights or bogwood instead.

if it aint broke don't fix it.

are your fish gasping at the surface? have you had any unexplained losses?

if not then why do you need to do anything as it's obviously sufficient.

providing you have loads of surface agitation (and you can tinker with this just with your filter output) then you should be fine. Some filters have an optional venturi device you can add too, this would be much cheaper than an air curtain if you did decide you needed more.

personally we have a few air pumps and stones lying around the house, if we need to increase aeration we can add them. I do think it's worthwhile having one in the house, they do have they're benefits, but don't skint yourself to get one for continual use. It's just one of those things that you should pick up when you've a bit of spare cash, rather than an essential

 

[sussexgirl]

by far the best way to get air into the tank is how you have done already, by surface disruption with your filter, as long as the surface is moving loads and there's a decent flow of water round the tank that will provide plenty enough airation

however if you want to add an air curtain this will help, but don't be under any illusions that it will make much difference to the bottom of your tank, the bubbles generally reach the surface before they have time to react with the water to get oxygen into it, they help by increasing surface agitation.

for the actual curtain I don't think any make/model is best, the bit that matters is the pump. get a decent size one and that'll make it most effective.

so don't you think there is really any benefit to the fish having extra aeration in the tank all the time or is it more aesthetics? I think air curtains look really nice but I was buying one because I thought it was a health benefit. If my filter is doing the same job then I'll save my money and maybe invest in some moonlights or bogwood instead.

if it aint broke don't fix it.

are your fish gasping at the surface? have you had any unexplained losses?

if not then why do you need to do anything as it's obviously sufficient.

providing you have loads of surface agitation (and you can tinker with this just with your filter output) then you should be fine. Some filters have an optional venturi device you can add too, this would be much cheaper than an air curtain if you did decide you needed more.

personally we have a few air pumps and stones lying around the house, if we need to increase aeration we can add them. I do think it's worthwhile having one in the house, they do have they're benefits, but don't skint yourself to get one for continual use. It's just one of those things that you should pick up when you've a bit of spare cash, rather than an essential

I have lost two fish in the last month and can't explain why. I saw my dwarf neon rainbow had whitespot (just the one spot on its fin) and treated the tank and he was starting to pinecone a little too. My male gourami was looking emanciated was constantly being bullied by the female gourami and one day I noticed I hadn't seen him for a while and found him dead in the cave. All the other fish are looking well and I've done water changes after each death. My mum (another devout fishkeeper!) was going to buy me the air curtain for my birthday.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I have lost two fish in the last month and can't explain why. I saw my dwarf neon rainbow had whitespot (just the one spot on its fin) and treated the tank and he was starting to pinecone a little too. My male gourami was looking emanciated was constantly being bullied by the female gourami and one day I noticed I hadn't seen him for a while and found him dead in the cave. All the other fish are looking well and I've done water changes after each death. My mum (another devout fishkeeper!) was going to buy me the air curtain for my birthday.

hmmmm its hard to say just from that what the cause of death is, but unless you can see the fish gasping for air at the surface then oxygenation is probably not the issue.

have you tested your water recently, what are your stats?

 

[sussexgirl]

have you tested your water recently, what are your stats?

Tested them earlier today:

Nitrite 0
Amonia 0
Nitrate 20
PH 7.4

these levels have remained constant now for about 5 months. None of the fish are gasping for air or flicking - I don't think that any of the remaining fish have health problems. I put the gourami death down to old age and nothing more. He was always healthy enough, good appetite - the only thing I would say is that he was totally dominated by his mate and spent a lot of time skulking round the back of the tank. The rainbow always looked healthy but one day I noticed the grainy spot on the fin and a bit of bloating going on. I treated with anti-whitespot treatment and it cleared up within the week. Next thing I notice is that it's carcass is cling to be filter intake with no eyes. I wondered if the shrimp had eaten them. Anyway, I'm just going to monitor the tank and see what happens - hopefully nothing.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

these levels have remained constant now for about 5 months. None of the fish are gasping for air or flicking - I don't think that any of the remaining fish have health problems. I put the gourami death down to old age and nothing more. He was always healthy enough, good appetite - the only thing I would say is that he was totally dominated by his mate and spent a lot of time skulking round the back of the tank. The rainbow always looked healthy but one day I noticed the grainy spot on the fin and a bit of bloating going on. I treated with anti-whitespot treatment and it cleared up within the week. Next thing I notice is that it's carcass is cling to be filter intake with no eyes. I wondered if the shrimp had eaten them. Anyway, I'm just going to monitor the tank and see what happens - hopefully nothing.

the gourami was probably very stressed from the bullying. This alone could have killed him.

the rainbow's death sounds strange, but I can't tell you what it was.

I think it's probably best just keepng an eye on things for now.

 

[sussexgirl]

the gourami was probably very stressed from the bullying. This alone could have killed him.

the rainbow's death sounds strange, but I can't tell you what it was.

I think it's probably best just keepng an eye on things for now.

Mmm, hadn't thought bullying alone could kill a fish, that's interesting - poor little mite.

Thanks for all your replies

susexgirl

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yup, it could have just become so stressed and depressed it all got too much and it picked up an infection or stopped getting enough food to eat. generally it'll be a secondary cause that actually kills them, but sever bullying can lead to all sorts of problems