Aeration Techniques

[KoiKris]

I'm currently in planning of my new tropical tank and was wondering what type of aeration techniques there are. This may sound like a newb question and really obvious but I was looking at bubble curtains and some said that they are perfect for aeration and then others would say the complete obvious. I've always liked the look of bubble curtains but if they don't do what I need them to do then I will probabl avoid them.

I know theres the technique of using the filter return to displace the water but this can be quite noisy, as Im sure a lot of you know, and for where my tank is being placed this isn't the most practical technique as I need something relatively quiet but still does a good job.


Cheers

 

[Tolak]

Aeration, or O2 transfer, is due to surface motion. The bubbles traveling through the water themselves cause very little aeration, the surface motion they cause does. This is due to friction between the moving water & air. This friction also increases evaporation, the transfer works both ways.

If you can submerge the filter return, as is the case with many canister filters, you can aim it upwards toward the surface to create silent surface motion. This can also be accomplished with a powerhead.

 

[KoiKris]

Thanks for the reply, the tank Im purchasing has an external canister filter with adjustable output hose so I will try this. I will get a bubble curtain for decoration

Thanks Tolak Oh and Happy New Year!