Airation - Which Is Best Way

[Wills]

Hi just a quick question, I want to increase the airation on my tank because Im just not happy there is enough surface aggitation coming from my filter outlet. But not sure which is the best way to spend my money. Do I -
(a) get a medium sized powerhead to place at the opposite end of my tank to the filter inlet
(b) get an airpump with bubble disk or similar

Main thing that puts me off the airpump is the fact I have an FX5 and ive heard of them sucking up bubbles if your not careful with them, air in an external is never a fun thing.

Thanks Wills

 

[bitteraspects]

what makes you think you dont have enough aeration as it is? are there any signs of this?
with a FX5, you should be getting way more than enough. as long as the output is crating a ripple at the surface of your tank, you are fine with what you have.

 

[Wills]

Its making a decent ripple but it just does not reach the far side of the tank (roma 240) and just want to disrupt the surface at that side to give it a good covering.

 

[roadmaster]

Hi just a quick question, I want to increase the airation on my tank because Im just not happy there is enough surface aggitation coming from my filter outlet. But not sure which is the best way to spend my money. Do I -
(a) get a medium sized powerhead to place at the opposite end of my tank to the filter inlet
(b) get an airpump with bubble disk or similar

Main thing that puts me off the airpump is the fact I have an FX5 and ive heard of them sucking up bubbles if your not careful with them, air in an external is never a fun thing.

Thanks Wills

Personally, I would opt for large sponge filter powered by air pump. I use Hydro IV sponge filters in a couple tanks and they have added benefit of having a colonised filter ready if new tank is in the works or quarantine tank. Not everyone likes the look of sponge filter from aesthetic point of view but my own priorties lie with the fish.
Powerhead will provide current and perhaps surface movement depending on placement in relation to the surface But I like the added oxygen and biological filtration achieved by sponge filter.
P.S. Can also power the sponge filter with powerhead. Will provide current or surface agitation depending on placement it just won't produce as much oxygen in my view as sponge filter powered by air pump.
Shouldn't be problem with suction of air if placed away from filter intake.

 

[Wills]

Quite like that idea actually - I have a QT tank but my girlfriend always turns the filter and stuff off when there is nothing in it and Im getting fed up of seeding it from my external. I could probably hide a black one in a dark corner.

 

[AdAndrews]

I would have a powerhead aimed at the surface.

 

[roadmaster]

Quite like that idea actually - I have a QT tank but my girlfriend always turns the filter and stuff off when there is nothing in it and Im getting fed up of seeding it from my external. I could probably hide a black one in a dark corner.

If tank is planted , I would go with the powerhead but if it is aeration rather than surace agitation or movement, I would go with sponge filter.

 

[raptorrex]

Quite like that idea actually - I have a QT tank but my girlfriend always turns the filter and stuff off when there is nothing in it and Im getting fed up of seeding it from my external. I could probably hide a black one in a dark corner.

If tank is planted , I would go with the powerhead but if it is aeration rather than surace agitation or movement, I would go with sponge filter.

would adding O2 to a planted tank, not be counter productive? O2 displaces CO2 that way. and, as far as i am aware, surface agitation offers more ariation than any air pump driven item can.

 

[roadmaster]

Quite like that idea actually - I have a QT tank but my girlfriend always turns the filter and stuff off when there is nothing in it and Im getting fed up of seeding it from my external. I could probably hide a black one in a dark corner.

If tank is planted , I would go with the powerhead but if it is aeration rather than surace agitation or movement, I would go with sponge filter.

would adding O2 to a planted tank, not be counter productive? O2 displaces CO2 that way. and, as far as i am aware, surface agitation offers more ariation than any air pump driven item can.

Yes in my view,surface agitation in planted tank would not be desireable but original poster indicated they were looking for more aeration hence the recomendation of sponge filter with air pump. For helping disperse possible ferts if dosing with same,then perhaps powerhead aimed across tank rather than towrds surface would prove beneficial.
My apologies ,though I have kept planted tanks,it has been some time and i am not well versed in that area. Now if you want to know how to grow various and prolific forms of alage ,,I am somewhat of a self proclaimed expert in that area.

 

[Wills]

Yeah my main reason is to point it at the surface I only have very very simple plants in my tank, far to many fish in my tank that will dig up plants.

Its just to be of benefit to my fish more than anything. Going to save up for one of the small marine ones, not sure of the brand but its like a little egg shape, went to an LFS today and they just looked like the top part of an internal filter was a bit worried about the intake area it didnt look to safe IMO.

It was quite a simple question thanks for the replies I now know I just need a powerhead.

 

[Wills]

was thinking something like this http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-Mini-Wave-Maker-Pump-2000L-H-Magnetic-Fixation_W0QQitemZ370261878330QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item563553e63a

 

[VaegaVic]

was thinking something like this http/cgi.ebay.co.u...=item563553e63a

Excellent, go with that and place it at the opposite end of the tank to the outlet, giving you complete ripples all over the bloody place.

 

[Wills]

Cool ill order it tonight