Air stone / air pump questions

[andreisdabest]

Do i need an air pump / air stone in a 10 gal /38l tank that has a small-ish filter (aqua one clearview 200 HOB), 2 mollies and lots of Red cherry shrimp
Thanks
A

 

[andreisdabest]

Btw its imperial gal not us gal i think

 

[Barry Tetra]

You don’t need it as long as there is enough flow and dissoved oxygen in the tank, if you’re not sure you can test your oxygen level with a test kit.

 

[andreisdabest]

What kit would you recommend? I only have the api master freshwater liquid tests.

 

[Barry Tetra]

I can’t recommended one right now as I don’t have one.

Maybe @PheonixKingZ @Essjay can help you with the brands.

 

[andreisdabest]

Ok thanks. I dont have much surface disturbance and my dalmation molly comes to the surface and kinda gasps in air and water. Is this just normal?

 

[Barry Tetra]

Nope, that is not normal, if the fish gasping for air it either means there is Ammonia or low dissolved oxygen in your tank.

 

[andreisdabest]

Oh i tested earlier today and the ammonia was at 0ppm

 

[Essjay]

10 US gallons = 37.9 litres = 8.3 imperial gallons.


As long as the filter moves the water round the tank you don't need an air stone. They oxygenate the tank because the bubbles move the water round and if the filter does that, they are aren't necessary.

(However, you will find the molly will outgrow the tank, I'm afraid)

 

[andreisdabest]

Oh ok i didnt know that they got big. I have two one ballon and one dalmation that looks like a long fin.

 

[andreisdabest]

As long as the filter moves the water round the tank you don't need an air stone. They oxygenate the tank because the bubbles move the water round and if the filter does that, they are aren't necessary.

I dont have many bubbles because of the way the water comes out of the filter

 

[Essjay]

Bubbles are not needed, just that the water moves round the tank. I've never used air stones in any of my tanks, I just have filters which move the water.



There are a few species on molly, most of the ones in fish stores are hybrids of at least two. But the care is the same for most of the commonly available mollies.

These profiles give the minimum tank length as 36 inches/90 cm. Balloon mollies may need less space because of their squashed up bodies.

Poecilia sphenops – Short-finned Molly/Black Molly — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

Poecilia latipinna – Sailfin Molly — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

 

[andreisdabest]

The dalmation molly looks more like a sail fin molly but has these stringy fins hanging down at the bottom. Ive heard that sail fins need brackish water as they mature. Is this true?

 

[Essjay]

Mollies can live in brackish water but they don't need it. What they do need is very hard water, over 250 ppm GH.

 

[andreisdabest]

How do i test dissolved oxygen and hardness