Kasakato said:
Ok, that is more like the answer I wanted to hear, air pumps do have function. And yes they are very happy. The pics speak for them selves. I bet they are happier then the fish in the empty tank with no air pump.
Air pump?
- Thread starter BaTmAnIntrepid
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Ok, that is more like the answer I wanted to hear, air pumps do have function. And yes they are very happy. The pics speak for them selves. I bet they are happier then the fish in the empty tank with no air pump.
Ugh, this banter is becoming tiresome.
Lake aeration is a typical lazy solution to a bigger problem. The question that should be asked in that case is "Why is the lake hyper-eutrophic?" and "What needs to be changed to restore balance?", not how do we treat the symptoms. If medical doctors responded the same to health issues the way as some folks advise aquarium/environmental troubleshooting, there'd be no need for medicine.
Omissions in posting are forgivable, everyone's human and no one's going to catch everything. Laziness is not. How long does it take to type "you need a filter and to cycle your tank, read the stickies". I think that that took a few seconds.
Lake aeration is a typical lazy solution to a bigger problem. The question that should be asked in that case is "Why is the lake hyper-eutrophic?" and "What needs to be changed to restore balance?", not how do we treat the symptoms. If medical doctors responded the same to health issues the way as some folks advise aquarium/environmental troubleshooting, there'd be no need for medicine.
Omissions in posting are forgivable, everyone's human and no one's going to catch everything. Laziness is not. How long does it take to type "you need a filter and to cycle your tank, read the stickies". I think that that took a few seconds.
Air pumps with air stones/ornaments/whatever can be helpful in aerating the tank due to the current that results that moves the water at the surface, than due to the actual bubbles contacting the water. However, if you have a filter of some sort, it usually provides adequate surface agitation to keep the water aerated.
Since you have no filter, if you have an air pump, I would suggest putting an airstone in your aquarium for some current while you run out immediately and get a filter.
A small undergravel filter (UGF) is under $10 on line, so that means it'll be $15-20 at my local Petco! (Did you say you had a 10 gallon?). You can search the internet and find arguments for an against an undergravel filter, but for the cost of the undergravel filter and an air pump (if you don't already have a spare), you can get a basic power filter, which would be my preference.
Also, if you already put gravel in the tank, you're going to have to empty the tank of fish, water and gravel to put in the UGF, whereas you can just hang your new power filter on the edge. I am happy with my Tetra Whisper, which is widely available, but I'm sure that any number of power filters will be perfectly adequate.
If you're not familiar with it, go read about cycling somewhere - do a web search or pick up a book like A Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums.
Since you have no filter, if you have an air pump, I would suggest putting an airstone in your aquarium for some current while you run out immediately and get a filter.
A small undergravel filter (UGF) is under $10 on line, so that means it'll be $15-20 at my local Petco! (Did you say you had a 10 gallon?). You can search the internet and find arguments for an against an undergravel filter, but for the cost of the undergravel filter and an air pump (if you don't already have a spare), you can get a basic power filter, which would be my preference.
Also, if you already put gravel in the tank, you're going to have to empty the tank of fish, water and gravel to put in the UGF, whereas you can just hang your new power filter on the edge. I am happy with my Tetra Whisper, which is widely available, but I'm sure that any number of power filters will be perfectly adequate.
If you're not familiar with it, go read about cycling somewhere - do a web search or pick up a book like A Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums.
Air pumps do not add air. The surface movement does. HC knows about this. A HOB should be used over a UGF any day IMO.
An air pump will tend to bring the dissolved gasses towards air equilibrium. There are two key elements to the effectiveness: bubble size and contact time in the water.
Contact time is, in most cases, minimal, tanks just plain aren't tall enough for very efficient gas exchange. So bubble size becomes key, the smaller, the better.
Of course, the compensator is that we pump through tons of air, air's cheap, right?
However, it's really a question of necessity. You can always add more gadgets, but are they adding something useful? That would be the key critical question to be asking.
Does aeration remove ammonia or nitrite? Does aeration remove pollutants? Does aeration increase O2 levels above roughly 16%?
The answer to all is no.
Your basic aquarium needs some substrate, a heater, and a filter. As far as your fish are concerned, that's all that matters - well along with regular maintenance.
Contact time is, in most cases, minimal, tanks just plain aren't tall enough for very efficient gas exchange. So bubble size becomes key, the smaller, the better.
Of course, the compensator is that we pump through tons of air, air's cheap, right?
However, it's really a question of necessity. You can always add more gadgets, but are they adding something useful? That would be the key critical question to be asking.
Does aeration remove ammonia or nitrite? Does aeration remove pollutants? Does aeration increase O2 levels above roughly 16%?
The answer to all is no.
Your basic aquarium needs some substrate, a heater, and a filter. As far as your fish are concerned, that's all that matters - well along with regular maintenance.
Kasakato said:
So you are saying my air pump stirs the surface and adds air? Are you contradicting your self here? And what about the way it removes toxins from the water, that allows more space for oxygen in the water, usually taken up by the toxins. Now you know I am right, let the denial begin.
happychem said:An air pump will tend to bring the dissolved gasses towards air equilibrium. There are two key elements to the effectiveness: bubble size and contact time in the water.
Contact time is, in most cases, minimal, tanks just plain aren't tall enough for very efficient gas exchange. So bubble size becomes key, the smaller, the better.
Of course, the compensator is that we pump through tons of air, air's cheap, right?
However, it's really a question of necessity. You can always add more gadgets, but are they adding something useful? That would be the key critical question to be asking.
Does aeration remove ammonia or nitrite? Does aeration remove pollutants? Does aeration increase O2 levels above roughly 16%?
The answer to all is no.
Your basic aquarium needs some substrate, a heater, and a filter. As far as your fish are concerned, that's all that matters - well along with regular maintenance.
Happy Bob? Lots of facts here. This is what I was getting at. Great job HC!
