Surface Agitation

[BobRivers]

Hello,

Having started my new set up Horizon 60 Aqua one I have noticed that the filter does not agitate the water very much It kindy acts like a waterfall effect but not very powerful.

My question is do you need the water to be agitated to produce oxygen for the fish and if so how do you know what amount?

I am only going to keep 4 or 5 guppies to run it as a Fry tank.

 

[SJ2K]

Realisticly yes you do need surface aggitation, especially if you want to raise fry

 

[gowing238]

It shouldnt make any difference to you only keeping a few fish. Agitating just increases the amount of oxygen in the water. There is plenty in the water in its un agitated state. Surface agitation is encouraged when high temps, and medications are used in the aquarium because these factors reduce the waters O2 level. Or a seriously overstocked tank, but as i said, this wont affect you only keeping a few fish in there.

Hope i helped

 

[rocknurworld2006]

you'll notice if your fish need oxygen when they are in and if your worried you can just add an airstone which supplys plenty of oxygen!

 

[BobRivers]

I was under the impression that airstones were more for decoration than supplying oxygen?

Can anybody expand on that ?

 

[SJ2K]

Your right, i have read that airstones are actually a very innaficient method of getting oxygen into the water. Your better off having the filter outlet aggitate the water surface then wait and see if your fish are suffering.

 

[dthoffsett]

As long as you can see the surface of your water moving you shouldn't have any problems.

And you are correct, air stones aren't as efficient as filters for oxygenation. This is because they produce very small bubbles that don't disrupt the surface much. The oxygen exchange happens at the water's surface, so the more it is disrupted, the better.

Hope that made sense, I'm a little tired, so my apologies if that was garbled.