Okay, I don't want to sound stupid, but

[DarkAngel37]

I emailed my uncle and showed him my 37 gallon tank and he told me that I needed an air pump for it. The air pump went right over my head when I was buying the tank. My question is how it works. They've always confused me. Do I just get the pump? My relative is in the town near the only Pet store around me. So, I'd like suggestions to be from Petco. Do I just get like this?
http://www.petco.com/product/13585/Hagen-AquaClear-Powerhead-Multifunctional-Water-Pumps.aspx
I mean, it can't be THAT easy- can it? Do I need tubes or something?:help:

[goalieman59]

Air pumps are not always needed, they are meant to keep the surface movement of the water up.

[DarkAngel37]

Then maybe I could get a little air pump- I really don't think the filter can keep all the water flowing enough.

[gatotsu77]

What kind of filter do you have on the tank? (specifically which model if you can tell us) As long as your filter is rated for 300-400 gallons per hour, I'd say you're easily in the clear and do not need an air pump. (Oh, and to answer your other question, if you got an air pump, you'd need a silicone air tube and an air stone to help diffuse the bubbles a little bit, or they'd all come out absolutely huge.) If you have a canister filter, you could get away with something like 200-300 gallons per hour. (Again, this is based on the rated water flow, not what the actual output will be) If you have a single hang-on-the-back filter which is only rated for 100-200 gallons per hour, you'd want to pick up a secondary filter of same make/model, and have one running on either side of the tank. (to keep an intake in each corner of the tank, helps minimize dead-spots in the tank)

[DarkAngel37]

What kind of filter do you have on the tank? (specifically which model if you can tell us) As long as your filter is rated for 300-400 gallons per hour, I'd say you're easily in the clear and do not need an air pump. (Oh, and to answer your other question, if you got an air pump, you'd need a silicone air tube and an air stone to help diffuse the bubbles a little bit, or they'd all come out absolutely huge.) If you have a canister filter, you could get away with something like 200-300 gallons per hour. (Again, this is based on the rated water flow, not what the actual output will be) If you have a single hang-on-the-back filter which is only rated for 100-200 gallons per hour, you'd want to pick up a secondary filter of same make/model, and have one running on either side of the tank. (to keep an intake in each corner of the tank, helps minimize dead-spots in the tank)

My filter is a Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter 200....

[SchizotypalVamp]

air pump is not needed

[Mgamer20o0]

if you want to do anything and a 2nd filter. really air pumps do very very very little in most tanks. yes some tanks do need them but most its looks only.

[duke33]

The bubbles purpose are to break the water surface to exchange gases. HOB filters do this all day long. Canisters will if output is placed properly. On the other hand, if you want a planted tank surface agitation is a no-no.

[Charlie Greiner]

Air pumps were used in the 1950'2 and 60's to provide a water movement for the old filters. Air going into the bottom of a lift tube moved water with it and the water passed through a filter medium. You can still see the concept in use in "in the tank corner filters". It was used for hang on filters and undergravel filters as well. In time, powerheads and derivations of them were developed and produced the current generation of filtration devices. You probably do not have need for an air pump since, as said before, the filtration function is now taken care of and the water surface agitation which provides for temperature equalization and gas exchenge is accomplished within the filtration function. However, air pumps are cheap and you may chose to get a small one and a bubble wand for the sake of family happiness. You could then also get a battery operated air pump to use in power outages. That way family arguments are avoided and emergency preparedness is taken care of also.

[H3D]

if you want to do anything and a 2nd filter.

I agree you might want to add a second filter.

[lovejonesx]

Sounds to me like you MAY BE getting as much surface agitation as yiou might need from what you have, but if you think that you don't you could very well get an air pump & airstones.

I use powerheads for that & they work just great & I like them b/c I can hook the lil containers to them w/ filter floss & use them as a secondary kind of water filter all while improving my water movement.

Also not all tanks & fish benefit as much as others from that rapid water current.
ljx