Power Heads?

[Fate2006]

Do power heads add oxygen to the water??? I know that external air pumps do (i've got them all over the place on all my tanks 1 on each suiting that size tank) but I'm getting another tank now 110gallon for my oddballs, my 125gallon cracked still have the external for that, but I'm curious to know if power heads add oxygen to the water, and if not what can I get besides an external??

 

[Tolak]

Powerheads are small pumps that move water. The best way to increse O2 levels is to increase surface movement. If you set up a powerhead so that it increases surface movement it will help increase the O2 level.

I like them for the bottom of larger tanks, or tanks with messier fish, it keeps debris suspended so your filter can remove it easier.

 

[Fate2006]

Interesting... so setting up a say 70gallon power head, or 2 70 gallon power heads at the bottom of the 110gallon (when I get it) would help to keep my sand clean? wouldn't that just blow the sand around though?? also, what can I use to increase sureface movement? I use hang on filters on alot of my tanks, does that help?? I'll be using a Rena Xp3 on this tank (up to 175gallons US) and if I add a 110gallon aquaclear would that help the sureface movement and add more O2??

 

[Tolak]

If you adjust them so they are off the bottom a little you should get enough flow to keep the debris off the bottom without kicking around the sand too much. This takes a little trial & error, plus many powerheads have a flow adjustment. I like to attach a foam pre-filter to mine, the powerhead doubles as a smallish filter. I would do this with sand to save wear in the impeller & shaft.

Hob filters do an excellent job of creating surface movement, an AC 110 & a Rena XP3 will filter that tank nicely. Adding a couple of powerheads will allow you to stock larger cats or cichlids while still keeping the sand looking nice.

Surface movement & O2 transfer actually works by friction. The movement of the water is rubbing on the air above it, helping to transfer O2.

 

[Fate2006]

alright well for the time being this 110gallon is going to be my grow out tank for 1 arowan, 1 bichir (common dinosaur), 2 clown knives and a big pleco (common) going to add 2 golden tinfoil barbs and mabye 1 regular to it aswell then my tank is pretty much filled ... So the best bet I've got is to add bubble wands like an inch to an inch and a half bellow the surface to break the surface tension and allow more oxygen for this tank?