Surface Agitation

[Cutter]

Hi all

This is my first post and may I first thank you for all your information I have gained from reading through the forum.

Now, My question.

I have a small 35L tank which has one of those stingray filters. Basically I want to know how much surface agitation is enough to oxygenate the water? There is a strongish ripple on the surface but no bubbles created.

At the minute I only have six fish in the tank(2 platys, 2 glowlights and 2 black phantoms) but by the time I have it fully stocked,with probably another 6 or 7 small fish, is there going to be enough oxygen in the water for them?

I have tried to search for similar topics in this forum but have been reading some conflicting information.

Thanks for all you help in advance.

Stuart.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

oxygenation is very much a case of if it aint broke don't fix it.

are your fish gasping at the surface continually? no.... then you have enough oxygen in the water so don't worry about it!

 

[vinylman]

Absolutely; a well filtered tank will have enough oxygen. I have a 4ft tank and have angled the spraybar so that the surface barely ripples. As long as I can see that happening, I know the filter's still working!.

 

[geo7x]

i agree, things like airstone and 'air curtains' are pretty pointless apart from for decoration, the bubbles just go straight up and pop at the surface, so apart from the bit of surface agitation they dont really put much o2 into the tank, and the tank doesnt even need that, the smallest bit of surface agitation made by the filter output is plenty

 

[mark.w.jones]

As mentioned the bubbles themselves are not an indicator of oxygenation. Bubbles from bubble walls and airstones just move the surface around which is what actualy helps oxygenate your tank. to TFF by the way.

 

[Sibelius]

The important point to bear in mind is that the best way to oxygenate your tank is to have plenty of live plants. Otherwise you may need to consider ways of aerating the water until you can get live plants.

 

[Cutter]

Thanks for all the help and advice.

But again just need to clarify. This is exactly the contradiction i'm talking about. I know it was made clear by most of the posts but the last one has thrown me a bit. And i'm not being ungrateful for your advice sibelius, i'm just curious.

Is the filter enough or do i need plants or some other means of oxygenating the water.

Cheers.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

plants can oxygenate the water really well, if you don't have them you may have to compensate by adjusting your filter.

however my first point still stands, if the fish aren't gasping then there is no problem

 

[fishboy619]

i always thought while live plants help the water, they release oxygen into the water in the day, the CO2 at night, reversing the process.dont get me wrong, live plants are great for tanks, but like miss wiggle said, unless the fish are gasping at the surface, you have enough oxgyen.by the way, did you know, the fish arent breathing from the air, but passing their gills over the waters surface where there is more oxgyen.