Is It Really True That Only Surface Agitation Is Needed?

[Curiosity101]

At the moment I'm running my fluval 3+ with the venturi.
But in theory if it's not the bubbles that cause the aeration then do I need the venturi? The filter causes much less movement of the water without the venturi but still gives ripples at the surface.
I was debating moving my filter from the back side to the left side, and putting the heater behind it in a vertical position.
However at the moment that would mean I was then blowing a current of bubbles across the tank which wouldn't look too nice.

Obviously I wont remove the venturi if it's going to impact on my fish, but I would like to move the filter.

And no, I don't have an air stone or curtain etc. The noise of the air pump annoyed the parent!

 

[Truck]

you dont need an airstone, a little surface agitation is all that is needed

 

[Curiosity101]

But is agitation just that? Or does it require breaking the surface?

 

[Truck]

But is agitation just that? Or does it require breaking the surface?

just a gentle ripple is enough

 

[Curiosity101]

Thanks means I can hide the ugly new heater behind the filter...

 

[Tolak]

O2 transfer is mainly caused by the friction between moving water & air. While this friction is transferring air to the water, it is also transferring water to the air.