Easiest Ways To Increase Oxygen In A 20 Gallon Tank

[times9]

what are the easiest ways to increase oxygen in a 20 gallon tank. my fish seem to keep swimming near the top of the surface. all my levels have been tested and are fine?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Increase surface disturbance.

Easiest and cheapest way is to put a bubbler in. I prefer the long flat ones.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

In addition to the surface disturbance thing...what temperature is your tank running? Warmer water holds less oxygen that cooler water. Also, can you define "fine" or give us specific water parameter values? Sorry, but I don't know if you are doing the tests yourself, or if the pet shop tested for you and sometimes their definition of "fine" is not safe.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Attach the air pump to like a ship or something. These normally build up a large bubble, that really lets the surface move!

 

[times9]

i tried a air bubble pump but the one i have is kind of loud can anyone recommend a quiet one?

 

[Bignose]

Your fish aren't just top-dwelling fish are they? Are they gasping or just spending time there?

However, in response to question, surface disruption, however you do it -- filter return, powerhead, airstone -- is best.

 

[evildead]

I've tried 3 different aerators and they r all noisy enough to bother me in my room. I tried many ways to try to silence the unit. First method, i place the unit behind the tank to have the tank absorb some of the noise, and also put a foam pad under to silence the vibration noise. This was just not quiet enough for me. So next, i put the unit in a regular paper box with the padding and a small sock to absorb the vibration, then i put the box inside another box to further silence the noise. This made the noise level to only about 1/4 of what it was if not less and was acceptable for me to sleep. However, i was concerned about overheating of the unit and shortening the life of the unit. I opened the box and checked the temperature after 2 days and it was definitely on the very warm side. So i decided to find another way, which turned out to be equally quiet if not quieter and no heat problem.

Most of the noise comes from the vibration which transfers to the touching surface. So to minimize contact, i used a very thin sewing thread and tied it to one end and then tied the other end to a thin kabob stick and hung it off of it behind the stand. This transferred almost no vibration and the noise was very very low. It also helps if the unit is behind some furniture too. Now i only did this with a aerator for 10 - 15 gallon tanks. Larger ones may not help as much.

I can now sleep zzzzzzzz and so can my fishes.

o... btw... almost forgot about the original question... if you have Mollies, they just naturally like to go to the top to breath air more then other fish. They need good aeration. They are more likely to swim to top to gulp air alot then most fish i've seen.

 

[Luketendo]

Simple solution, turn it off at night like I do.

 

[Straydum]

air pumps come in huge numbers and choices. here they range from $5 to $50. the higher end ones are usually silent, like the one i have at home for my fry tank.

 

[Robotochan]

What filter do you have? Could just raise it a little to create more disturbance?

 

[backtotropical]

I'd use a powerhead personally. More effective than an airstone IMO.