How essential are bubblers?

cwt24

cwt24

The Lurker
Dec 31, 2007
78
0
0
Philadelphia, PA
Hey guys,

I am by no means a noobie to this, but I feel somewhat noob on this subject, so I thought I would post it here so that everyone else can benefit off my ignorance.

I have a 150 gallon African Cichlid tank, and when I finished cleaning it today, I decided to turn off the two big air stones I have in there. They are both on the side of my tank, and are there more so for current. The canister intakes are on the side with the bubblers, and the return is ont he opposite side, so the bubblers helped make a circular current for aid in water filtration.

However, aside fromt he current which my canister makes mroe than enough of, are the airstones necessary for oxygenation? The return for the filter is actually under the waterline, so it doesnt pour back into the tank or anything, so there is no surface disturbance other than when a fish strikes at the water.

So am I safe without the bubblers, or should I turn them back on to ensure there is enough oxygen in the water? Thanks in advance for any input.
 
You really dont need it. As long as your filter is big enough to handle the bioload of your tank then your good.
 
To my understanding if you want proper oxygen in your tank your return should break the surface to provide proper agitation.
 
barbuto said:
To my understanding if you want proper oxygen in your tank your return should break the surface to provide proper agitation.
Click to expand...

See, thats what I have always though, but I just really like the natural, clean look of not having the return pour back into the tank. plus my filter has a pretty high output, so its really loud, and its in my living room, so the noise is really annoying. Hence why I had air stones, and hence why I ask this question, lol.
 
I do not use bubblers in most of my tanks. The only ones that have any sort of air pump driven aeration are my 5 gallon betta tanks, because I use the small box filters in them that run off an air pump. As long as the filter return breaks the surface of the water, you should not have too much need for an air stone or bubbler.

I do keep some on hand, because many medications are oxidizing and if I am treating an illness I use the extra aeration.

Kristina
 
So then the general concensus is that since my filters do NOT break the surface and there is no surface agitation, I should turn them back on?
 
That would be my assessment :D

Kristina
 
cwt24 said:
So then the general concensus is that since my filters do NOT break the surface and there is no surface agitation, I should turn them back on?
Click to expand...
yes, if there is no surface breakage, then turn them back on, OR try and adjust your outflow so there is surface agitation
 
You could also set up the return just a tad above the surface so it breaks it and causes bubbles, but also makes close to no noise. I do this on my tank, the return is 50% in and 50% out of the water
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom