Oxygen And Air Pump Question

[TheJack]

Hi again,
 
I have a quick question regarding my 48l tank. I use an Interpet Water Filter - PF 1 and all is good.
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BXC3QY/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002NY2LXA&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0PX89JX172FD44XYDDP1
 
It ripples the surface of the water and oxygenates it. However, I was thinking is it doing it enough? The fish seem fine, but would an Interpet Aqua Air Mini Pump help or be beneficial in any way?
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Interpet-Aqua-Air-Mini-Pump/dp/B003XLJA36
 
thanks
 

 

[the_lock_man]

The filter on its own is fine for aeration of the water, so long as it is creating decent rippling of the surface of the water - that is where the majority of oxygen enters the water (and CO2 leaves it). Having an air pump with some sort of bubblestone doesn't do a lot. If the fish are fine (ie they're not gasping at the surface), then oxygen levels sound fine.

 

[TheJack]

Ok, thanks for the reply. It doesn't ripple the surface a huge amount, but I guess it is enough because the fish have never been gasping. I do put on the venturi for an hour or so a day and that puts lots of tiny bubbles in the water.

 

[bodge99]

Hello,
 
I'm not sure if I totally agree with the arguments against the use of air pumps..
 
See http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/423053-whisper-air-pump-flow-rates/ for a couple of examples.
 
I'm convinced that under certain circumstances, an air pump will keep fish alive.
 
I use them in all of my tanks... I've also modified my tank plumbing and have switched to laminar water flow.. 
The tank circulation does appear to be better overall.. It's great watching the fish "surfing" against the water current.
 
Bodge99.

 

[the_lock_man]

As a method of inducing surface agitation, yes, I can't fault your logic.
 
The OP already has adequate surface agitation. The point is that the presence of bubbles from an air pump in the water does little additional oxygenation.

 

[bodge99]

Hello.
 
Again, I'm not sure that I totally agree with "The point is that the presence of bubbles from an air pump in the water does little additional oxygenation." . I think that you are probably literally correct with air bubbles **within** the water column, although I've yet to see "robust" proof of this..
 
The point is not how much O2/CO2 is directly transferred **from** the bubble stream to the water (yes, I have seen figures quoted for both gases in a US scientific paper.. sorry, I don't have a link)... The main gas interchange was stated to occur **as the bubble broke the surface**. I can only assume that they meant an interaction mechanism that worked in a similar way to gas exchange solely due to external water agitation...
 
I would be very interested to see further relevant research on this topic. I'm **not** saying that I'm correct and everyone else isn't..
 
Bodge99.