Do I Need An Air Pump?

[CluelessScot]

Hi all,

This has been bothering me for some time now. I dont really understand this yet Do i need an air pump and air stone in my tank? The filter was producing to much current so it was suggested that i bunch straws up and put it in the outlet and it really did slow it down and ive pointed most of the straws upwards so there is water movement on the surface, but how much do i need and do i reallllly need an air stone?

Kev

 

[Inchworm]

Hi CluelessScot

As long as your filter is moving the surface of the water, your fish are probably getting enough oxygen. If you see any of them acting strangely, or hanging around near the top of the tank gasping for air, you will know what the problem is.

On the other hand, an air pump and airstone is a handy thing to have. If you ever need to medicate the tank, it's a good idea to be able to increase the oxygen level to ease the stress on the fish. Also, if they should get a bacterial infection, increasing the surface movement to add oxygen is one of the things that slows the reproduction of harmful bacteria.

An air pump with a simple box filter will also serve you in an emergency if your filter breaks. By moving the filter media with the beneficial bacteria into it, you can save it until your filter can be repaired or replaced. It's also a handy thing to have if you want to set up a fry tank, quarantine tank, or hospital tank.

I think everyone should own one.

 

[chishnfips]

I dont have an airstone but I do have a fluval filter that adds air in the tank as it pumps the water around, via a wee valve in the top.

 

[CluelessScot]

Cheers Inchworm, i have one with an air stone in the tank at the moment but i bought some brine shrimp eggs and wanted to use the air pump/stone in a bottle to hatch them. ill remove it tonight and keep an eye on the fish tonight and tomorrow and watch for anything abnormal.


chishnfips mines has this too but because ive stuffed the outlet thingy it dont shoot out bubbles

Thanks

Kev

 

[Inchworm]

Hi CluelessScot

If you plan to do this often, you might want to get a gang valve to divide the air flow in two directions. The two way valve would do this.

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...D=1133992582034