Adam86
New Member
Hey, I was wondering if it is necessary to run an airpump when I am running a canister filter. My air pump makes a lot of noise and it would be great if the air from the filter would be enough.
Is An Airpump Necessary?
- Thread starter Adam86
- Start date
The August FOTM Contest Poll is open!
🏆 Click to vote! 🏆
fishboytoo
Fish Fanatic
I would say that it is definately not necessary to run an airpump all the time. However, for some setups using one may be advisable. In a planted tank you generally want high co2, so an air pump would not be a good idea as it drives off dissolved gasses.
If your tank is very heavily stocked, to the point where your fish are gasping at the surface when no airpump is running, then you should probably use one(or cut back on stocking). Of my six tanks only one has an airpump and mostly because I like the bubble curtain effect in that tank. I have unplugged it for weeks with no ill effects.
If you need surface agitation but don't want the airpump you could always position the output from your filter so that it splashes into the tank.
If your tank is very heavily stocked, to the point where your fish are gasping at the surface when no airpump is running, then you should probably use one(or cut back on stocking). Of my six tanks only one has an airpump and mostly because I like the bubble curtain effect in that tank. I have unplugged it for weeks with no ill effects.
If you need surface agitation but don't want the airpump you could always position the output from your filter so that it splashes into the tank.
crazie.eddie
Fish Addict
The common reasons to use an airstone connected to an airpump would be to...
1. Create additional agitation in the water, which helps oxygenate the water. If you see you fish gasping for air at the surface, then you should oxygenate the water with more agitation.
2. UGF's require use for it to work properly.
3. Sponge filters require it for it to work properly.
4. Some people like the looks of bubbles in the tank.
If you have a canister filter and don't your fish gasping for air, then it's not necessary.
1. Create additional agitation in the water, which helps oxygenate the water. If you see you fish gasping for air at the surface, then you should oxygenate the water with more agitation.
2. UGF's require use for it to work properly.
3. Sponge filters require it for it to work properly.
4. Some people like the looks of bubbles in the tank.
If you have a canister filter and don't your fish gasping for air, then it's not necessary.
alexlark
Fish Fanatic
My second tank has been cycling for 4 weeks now and I have been using a new Ehiem Pro canister. What I did notice is that the surface water agitation was only down 1 end of the tank. What I done was to buy a low powered Powerhead and position this down the other end of the tank, pointing upwards slightly to agitate the surface water at that end.
Ended up with a nice current at both ends of the tank, and as the Powerhead was only a small 1 it is completely silent!! No terrible humming!!!
The powerhead also came with a small tube and regulator to add bubbles to the water also. (You dont have to use it if you don't want to!) This is also MUCH quieter than an air pump.
Ended up with a nice current at both ends of the tank, and as the Powerhead was only a small 1 it is completely silent!! No terrible humming!!!
The powerhead also came with a small tube and regulator to add bubbles to the water also. (You dont have to use it if you don't want to!) This is also MUCH quieter than an air pump.
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
385
-
239 -
203 -
171 -
144 -
142 -
131 -
122 -
111 -
69 -
68 -
61 -
57 -
56 -
55