Lame-o Question

[randallhart]

Well, this question may seem dumb, but what is the actual purpose of a bubble wand. Nelly made a remark about moving his out of place in his oscar picture and I had a brain fart and realized I didn't know what a bubble wand actually does.

 

[Bloo]

It's not a lamo question

In essence, it adds aeration. This is esepcially helpful during hot weather (when the heat drives off the oxygen) or during periods of medication when extra aeration / oxygen is needed too. Many fish enjoy the extra current and even enjoy playing in the bubbles - kinda "riding the waves"

It's not essential. I only have it on standby for the above two scenarios as I don't fancy running an airpump too. And for my setup it's just not neccesary.

But it's also said to drive off CO2 - needed for heavily planted tanks. So you'll never find a bubble wand in a densely planted tank on CO2

 

[randallhart]

I have another question for ya bloo. If it's hot outside and I have the ac on, would a bubble wand still be neccesary.
And I have about 7 plants in my 55 gallon aquarium. Would a bubble wand be neccessary?

 

[LennyMansfield]

I have read that the bubbles produced won't actually add any oxygen into the water, but they will supposedly increase the gas exchange at the surface.

With regards to the AC, I think the important thing is that the tank stays at a relatively constant temp...so you wouldn't want the tank to get really hot while you aren't home, and then run the AC when you get home and have the tank temp drop. These types of swings wouldn't be good for the fishes stress level.

Sooo...I guess my answer is that the bubble wand isn't a necessity (provided you are keeping a stable temp). My personal opinion/experience is that the bubbles look awesome (I have my wand buried under the gravel near the base of an anubius so the bubble appear to be coming out of the plant), my fish seem to enjoy playing in them, and they add some water movement to a part of my tank that would otherwise be a dead spot. I'm a big fan.

 

[randallhart]

Well, with post like that how could I not get one.

 

[Bloo]

double post

 

[Bloo]

With regards to the AC, I think the important thing is that the tank stays at a relatively constant temp...so you wouldn't want the tank to get really hot while you aren't home, and then run the AC when you get home and have the tank temp drop. These types of swings wouldn't be good for the fishes stress level.

In terms of the AC, I really wouldn't worry too much. Any significant volume of water will hold a temperature over a short period of time - especially if you have a lid on your tank. In nature, slight temperature variations is quite normal with a drop overnight. In general, we don't have to molly cuddle our fish - but obviously need to keep an eye on extremes (cold and hot).

 

[Miss Wiggle]

it does add oxygen, just not as much as you might expect. if you look at how quickly the bubble meet the surface from the airstone there isn't time for much of the oxygen to get into the water. if you were to attach it to a Co2 diffusor instead of a standard airstone then much mroe oxygen would get into the water.

what really gets most air into the water is surface agitation, agitating the surface of the water gives it a bigger surface area which means it exchanges more gasses with the air above the water and therefore gets more oxygen into the tank.

(i think anyway )

 

[randallhart]

how about I agitate and buy a bubble wand.

 

[LennyMansfield]

I'd say go for it...research before you buy your airpump though - from what I've read some can get quite noisy. I've had good luck so far with this one:

http/www.petco.com/product/102226/Aquati...-Air-Pumps.aspx

I have the 1000 model, and it has been running for about 2 months silently.

Good Luck!

 

[randallhart]