Do I Need An Air Pump?

[mislisa]

Hi, i have a new 55g tank (in my sig) that's still fishlessly cycling (all stats are fine), but i was wondering if i should add a airpump or bubble wand or something. my filter is a fluval 305 and I'm planning on stocking with 8x khuli loach, ~12x cardinals, ~12x harlequin rasboras, 2x krib, 1 bn pleco, and possibly a pearl gourami. i will also be adding some real plants in the near future as well.

I'm just concerned that my tank will need more air circulation than it's getting.
any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Skins]

Hi, i have a new 55g tank (in my sig) that's still fishlessly cycling (all stats are fine), but i was wondering if i should add a airpump or bubble wand or something. my filter is a fluval 305 and I'm planning on stocking with 8x khuli loach, ~12x cardinals, ~12x harlequin rasboras, 2x krib, 1 bn pleco, and possibly a pearl gourami. i will also be adding some real plants in the near future as well.

I'm just concerned that my tank will need more air circulation than it's getting.
any input would be greatly appreciated!

If your filters return nozzle is in a position where the flow aggitates the waters surface then it will be fine.

Keith.

 

[KittyKat]

+1 As long as you make sure the filter produces enough surface movement, you will not need an air pump.

 

[mislisa]

yay! that saves me a bit of cash anyway! i don't really like the look of the bubbles anyway. thanks! any opinions on the stocking?

 

[KittyKat]

What you had in mind sounds perfect. The only improvement I could think of is maybe 1m 2f bristlenoses so that they breed? Or maybe a more unusual species of pleco?

 

[mislisa]

I'd really like an unusual pleco, such as a flash or something, but my lfs doesn't really get many neat fish like that... i'll be keeping my eyes open for one (or 2) though. i wasn't sure if my tank would be big enough for 3 plecs, wouldn't they feel a bit cramped?

 

[KittyKat]

I'd really like an unusual pleco, such as a flash or something, but my lfs doesn't really get many neat fish like that... i'll be keeping my eyes open for one (or 2) though. i wasn't sure if my tank would be big enough for 3 plecs, wouldn't they feel a bit cramped?

It looks like a reasonably long tank, so I think they would be fine. You should make sure you get only one male though or they would fight. I keep a breeding group of bristlenoses in a tank that size without any problems (so long as there are a few logs and only one male).