Air Pump/Bubble Wand?

[srstickler]

Hola,
After many years, I bought a 28 gallon tank last year. I had a "Biowheel" filter that I bought new. It died recently, so I went and got another power filter. The new filter doesn't have the "wheel".

The Biowheel seems to plunge the water into the tank, creating a lot of water movement and oxygen bubbles. The new filter doesn't. I've noticed that my fish don't seem as spunky as they did with the biowheel.

My question is: Could this have anything to do with the Oxygen levels going down. I clean/maintain the tank every week as I did before, so nothing else has changed.

For a smaller tank like this, would anyone out there recommend an Air Pump, Bubble Wand, Airstones....etc..etc...??

Many Thanks,

Sean

 

[OrionGirl]

More likely, removing the other filter removed your biological filtration, and the tank is cycling. I'd test ammonia/nitrites, and do some water changes.

Most HOB filters provide enough surface movement for adequat oxygen exchange. If the tank is not overstocked and there are not tons of plants (may cause problems as night, seldom happens though), oxygen is seldom a problem. I would suspect ammonia and nitrite levels are causing stress for the fish. Gasping is a symptom of compromised gill function, as is lower levels of activity and lack/loss of color.

 

[srstickler]

Thanks OG,

I'm afraid I may have made a double beginners mistake then.

When I assembled the new power filter and began using it about 5 days ago, I also did a 50% water change/gravel vacuum job........and naturally I haven't had my test kit out since.

So you're answer on any kind of Oxygen producer would be not necessary in a tank of this size?

SS

 

[OrionGirl]

I don't have any bubblers on any of my tanks. I have 55's, which are very deep in comparison to the surface area, and I haven't had any problems.

 

[Leopardess]

Yup, most filters provide enough surface agitation to provide adequate oxygen saturation. I've got a 55g, as little as possible surface agitation, heavily planted, with co2 running all night and no probs. Your tank is fine oxygen-wise. But, OrionGirl was right about the whole "cycling thing" Details, details, I know

 

[Macromatt]

srstickler, surface movement is what creates exchange of oxygen in the water, not the little bubbles, all that bubblers do is agitate the surface of the water and enable more oxygen to exchange with the surrounding air. If you want to add a bubblewand for cosmetic reasons go right ahead. I used to do that and my cory cat's loved it, swam up and down it all day long. Once they got bored of that I took it out and never used it again.

I agree with Orion it is probably a mini-cycle you are going through.

Matt