How high do you keep your water level in the tank?

[yhbae]

Do you see the water level when you look at your tank fron the front? When I setup the tank for the first time, I was greatly concerned about not providing enough O2, so I didn't fill up the tank completely to the top, and let AquaClear create surface disturbance. I have to admit, I was also afraid of tank giving up, so I didn't want to add more water... :D Over the past couple of months, I "accidentally" raised the level after each water change. Now I can barely see the water surface from the front, and I don't see any fishes needing additional O2, so I'm guessing that was not needed from the begining. It is certainly MUCH quieter than before...

So what water level do you keep your tanks?

[PumaWard]

I keep mine as about a half inch below the lip of the tank, so you can't see the water line.

[valerie]

I keep mine right to the top, the ac still provides surface movement. I have never had any problems with not enough oxygen, even in my tanks that the surface never moves.

[dethjam316]

i keep mine right above the end of the black plastic on the top. this way, when i can see the water line, i know i need to do a water change or top off the tank.

[Slappy*McFish]

Most 'standard' size tanks have more than enough surface area to provide plenty of oxygen exchange. Even a gentle ripple across the surface can almost double the available surface area for gas-exchange. Lack of oxygen is not likely to happen unless your tank is enormously overstocked(ie: feeder-fish tanks), or is extremely polluted. Very tall, narrow tanks and fish bowls can have problems, as well.

[shewlett]

I keep my water line about 1/4" (corydoras julii tank) to 1/2" (betta tank) from the bottom of the black plastic skirt on the top of the tank. This works for me. I don't want the water any higher in case I have to stick my hands and arms in to add or remove a plant.

[yhbae]

Great! Thanks for the confirmations! :D

[Cearbhaill]

I keep mine as high as possible- it keeps the filter noise down w/Biowheels ... I just like it high visually, too :rolleyes:

[STraBO]

Over the frame, I dont like to see the water line.

[sumoschro]

yeah i keep mine right at or above the black plastic rim too.

[myersrj40]

as high as I can go, don't like the water line or the noise from the filter with low water

[Cooter007]

Just enough to make the water line not visible. That way I will know if I have a leak or a filter problem.

[belmont0182]

when i put my water around the black rim my water always leaks from the top

[yhbae]

Originally posted by belmont0182
when i put my water around the black rim my water always leaks from the top

I have to admit, this was my other fear for not going all the way to the top...

[Catlid]

i go as high as i can, like others, dont like the water line.

[ewok]

i go all the way to the top, that way i have a week between waterchanges.

one of my tanks is sort of off a bit and that one i fill it til the water is at the edge of the low corner. usually this allows the air bubbles to clean the algae off the glass. :D

1 do have 1 or 2 cheaper 10g's that will leak if you do this, but all my all-glass tanks are fine with it.

[ticklemepunk473]

fill er up!

[Grassguy]

uh, until the water is just above the black rim?

[TKOS]

I fill it up until I hear no more sounds from falling water from my HOB's

The betta tank stays lower so that he has a warm cushion of air to breath from because the room he is in is a little on the cool side.

[Uncle Bete]

just high enough to not see the water line, for asthetic reasons and hob filter noise.

[yhbae]

Officially, this is the most popular thread I've ever created... :D