Just want to get this clarified.

[crash]

I was going to post this in the general forum, but I'm still a newbie, started a 1 gallon tank tank in beginning of Feb. with a baby red belly Piranha, then by the end of February I moved him into a a ten gallon setup where he will live until I judge that he has out grown it, and about two months ago I also started up a ten-gallon tank with two Iridescent Tanks, they will be moved to my 55 gallon, where they will live until they outgrow that aquaria! My god, look at my beginner mistakes, but I've looked past that and will provide my fish with adeqate room, when the time is come.

Anyway enough chit-chat about my tanks, I've got a somewhat newbie question to ask. Now fish need oxygen, that is established. However when I started my first ten gallon.. I got a UGF for it, which runs of an air pump of course. Well then I get my next ten gallon, I get a HOB Whisper Power Filter for it, but I was still under the impression, I needed to use an air pump with that tank, so then I get another air pump and buy one of those bubble things, that go in your tanks (you plug the air hose to it and it admitts bubbles, creating surfurce movement) Now because I have the power filter, do I even need the bubble pad?

When I look at other people's tank setup and descriptions most don't even seem to have an air pump. I just want someone to clarify on this issue, because I want to make sure fish are getting enough oxygen, but I don't want to invest in stuff I don't really need.

So basically, if I have a Power Filter that creates surface movement, then do I even need an air pump for additional oxygen?(I know it doesn't hurt of course, just want to know if it's needed)

And to add to that, I planned on getting a Emperor 400 for my 55 gallon, would that efficient enough for good air flow and surface movement?

I'm just looking for someone to clarify this for me, so I may get a better understanding. Thanks.

[cpr4cpu]

oxygen is introduced through surface turbidity (water movement at the surface that causes gas interchange).
Myself, I have two power filters on each of my larger tanks (larger than 30 gallon). On my 55 I use a pair of Penguin 125's, one on each end of the tank. They cause a lot of surface disturbance, more than any bubble wall. An Emperor 400 will create enough water movement at the surface that the fish will have to fight the current to swim past it. I use an Emperor 400 and a 280 on a 125 gallon tank, and again, the water current in front, all the way to the front glass, is pretty substantial.

[OrionGirl]

Most tanks don't need bubbles. Planted tanks don't benefit, since the gas exchange reduces the CO2 available for plants.

As long as you have adequate surface movement, there is no need for a bubbler. Understocked tanks need even less, while over stocked tanks (with the higher 02 consumption and CO2 production) may benefit. Tanks that are very warm or are being medicated, benefit from the increased surface agitation. I keep an air pump on hand just for emergencies and q-tanks.

[crash]

Thanks, that helps a lot. Now I have a better understanding.

[caz]

air bubbles dont hurt to have in a tank(unless its heavily planted. i use two corner bubble filters in a 55 gallon, and it is amazingly clean, and the water is crystal clear. the air pumps, and the bubbles are quite a bit louder than an hob filter. but a great way to drown out noisy neighbors :D

[glittergirl]

I am a very new newbie, but I have an air pump and all my fish love the bubbles. They 'surf' it and look as if they are having great fun. I have had a problem with high nitrite levels and I am convinced the air pump has kept my fish alive!

[wetmanNY]

Well, part of what's so toxic about nitrite is that it takes the place of oxygen on the hemoglobin of the fishes' blood, so the fish need all the oxygen they can get, under the circumstances, and the bubbles move the surface of the water, so that oxygen diffuses in from the atmosphere.

That's the closest connection between nitrite poisoning and a bubbler.