Air Pump To Oxygenate Water

[Hypnotoad]

Just a question on Airpumps

Ever since I got my 180 litre tank Ive had a Tetratec air pump running 24/7 in it with 2 pipes going to airstones either end of the tank. Now my understanding of it was so that the air will oxygenate the water better but Ive read on here on a couple of posts that its not the case?

The cichlids seem to swim towards it at times and stick their heads in the bubbles but If its really not needed Im tempted to disconnect it or just have it on a few hours a day, the damm thing is loud as hell and Ive not really hidden the pipes so it doesnt look great.

 

[minnnt]

The oxygen isn't in the water long enough to make a difference mate, so as long as your filter's outlet is creating rippling to the water surface then disconnect them.

Less noise and less electricity.

Some fish do like to play in them though... lol.

 

[Hypnotoad]

The oxygen isn't in the water long enough to make a difference mate, so as long as your filter's outlet is creating rippling to the water surface then disconnect them.

Less noise and less electricity.

Some fish do like to play in them though... lol.

Yeah must be just playing in it.

By rippling, how much rippling do you mean? I have a fluval 205 and the outlet pipe has a head with water coming out in 2 90 degree angles. It ripples the water at that point but it doesnt ripple the whole length of the tank or anything like that

Just realised on your planted journal that you have the same tank as me your the best man for advice on this

Just realised you have the same tank as me so you the best man for advice

 

[minnnt]

I have the same tank mate. You can move the outlet pipe up and down. Mine is roughly an inch and a half from the surface and i have the outlets pointing towards the surface too. Provides enough surface movement for oxygen transfer.

 

[Hypnotoad]

Just realised you have the same tank as me (think you answered me some questions before ) so youll be the best person for advice with the tank

 

[minnnt]

see above

 

[Hypnotoad]

I have the same tank mate. You can move the outlet pipe up and down. Mine is roughly an inch and a half from the surface and i have the outlets pointing towards the surface too. Provides enough surface movement for oxygen transfer.

I assume it works ok but I was under the impression the outlet pipe had to be above the water?

 

[minnnt]

Nope! An inch below is best. Your tank must be creating alot of noise if you're running 2 air pumps and the outlet is above water!!

 

[Hypnotoad]

Nope! An inch below is best. Your tank must be creating alot of noise if you're running 2 air pumps and the outlet is above water!!

Not as much noise as youd think but it is noticeable

Strange I was always on the belief the outlet must be above the tank, you learn something new every day. Ill get it changed when I get it from work

 

[minnnt]

Do it gently otherwise it will go down to far. It's quite tough to shift and i usually end up struggling like mad to get it correct. I replaced the 205 filter with a TetraTEC ex1200 though as i found it poor by comparison.

 

[Hypnotoad]

Do it gently otherwise it will go down to far. It's quite tough to shift and i usually end up struggling like mad to get it correct. I replaced the 205 filter with a TetraTEC ex1200 though as i found it poor by comparison.

I have been recently looking at changing the filter to a Ehiem with the built in heater but Ive half talked myself into upgrading the tank in the new year so I may hold hard.

Its a case of re-homing some of the fish that are getting big or upgrading and Im swaying towards the latter

 

[minnnt]

sounds familiar! lol.

When i first got the tank i was under the impression it WAS a big tank! Then i found this site and realised it was a tiddler! It has also had plenty of incarnations too...

Never had a Eheim, but they get some great reviews on here, especially the higher end models.

 

[Hypnotoad]

Cheers for the advice

Did the water change today, took the air pump out at the same and repositioned the outlet pipe.

Sounds so quiet I keep looking at it thinking there is something wrong

 

[Hypnotoad]

Just bumping the thread.

I removed the pump and moved the position of the outlet pipe to under the water level on Sunday but ever since then my Cihlids keep going to the top of the tank like they are struggling to breath or something.

I did a massive clean out of my filter (washed all the stuff in tank water and changed 2 of the pads) and about 50 litre water change (1/4) so I dont know if ive disturbed something.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Blubble37]

*facepalms* WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE PADS???