Aeration question

O

onebyone

AC Members
Sep 19, 2009
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I was wondering what the preferred method for oxygenating a tank is? When I had fish as a kid my dad always used an air pump with an air stone. I'm a little confused because when I see pictures of other people's tanks they rarely have air stones or an excess of bubbles in the tank.

Right now I'm trying to make due with a very tall 15 gallon tank, and I know that because of the reduced surface area, I have to pay specific attention to oxygenation. I have a Rena air pump connected to a fairly large (6 inch?) air stone that lays horizontally on the back wall, producing a pretty large column of bubbles.

Is this the most efficient method? I'm nearly finished with a fishless cycle at the moment and I'm going to be adding plants this week, but I am confused about how I can create a background of plants if my back wall is engulfed in bubbles! I would post pictures, but my digital camera is not working at the moment.
 
As long as your tank has sufficeint surface agitation and tank turnover, the aeration from stones isn't really needed. Some heavily planted tanks may need it under certain conditions, as well as some folks just like the look.
 
I would keep a pump and air stone around just in case you have to raise the temp of your tank for treatment of ick and the like. When temperatures are higher, you need more aeration as the water can not hold as much O2.
 
Great point! I hadn't thought of that. Would I be able to remove it otherwise? I'm just worried because the tank is taller than it is wide and I'm planning on keeping plants...
 
i like to think of it like this...

I want to move water/air across the longest part of my tank.. a wider tank would benefit from a powerhead or lateral flow.. a tall tank would benefit from a more vertical movement.

The longer air bubbles/surface area stay in contact with water the moe oxygen can diffuse into the water volume..
 
Thank you, I think that makes perfect sense. I'm going to stick with the air stone... can't wait until I can upgrade my tank :)
 
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