Oxygen And Air Pumps

[Cheqraise]

I have kept fish for 3 years and have a well established tank. When I first got my tank I took a lot of advice and there were many conflicting views on whether and air pump was needed. The general consensus seemed to be that it wasn't providing you had something putting a current through the water and ideally a few plants. I have I decent enough external filter and also a decent powerhead in my 300l tank with about 5-6 plants. I have however always opted for an air pump anyway just in case and always go for the top end one. I've had to replace many of these pumps after breaking and also the diaphram in my most recent Interpet AV4....the diaphram needs replacing again after lasting only 6 months but the screws are so warped I can't even open the bloody thing now. While I'm waiting for the replacement to come through I tend to have to swicth the thing off for periods as I can't hear the TV while it's on...it still works, it's just very noisy. One night I forgot to switch it back on until the morning and one of my Torpedo barbs was vitually swimming upside down...after switching back on it recovered but then I did it again 2 days later and lost 3...yes this is not good but I couldn't work out why it's become so essential. I turned it off for 20 minutes one day and another Topedo actually jumped out the tank...as if knew of it's impending death at the pump going off.

So my question is this:

Why has my air pump become so essential when many think it's not even needed?

Also should my powerhead be pointed close to the surface of the water to aim to get maximum waves from the surface or should this not even matter?

Views please....

Ta

 

[minnnt]

They are not necessary. The bubbles aren't in the water long enough and don't burst until they reach the surface. Your outlet from the filter is ideally placed around an inch below the surface of the water pointing slightly upwards so to ripple the waters surface slightly. This is the best way to encourage oxygen transfer from the air to the water.

Welcome to the forum also, by the way.

 

[mtbdean]

There obviously is no other source for Oxygen Transfer, ensure that your water is rippling slightly so that there is an oxygen exchange.

I was always skeptical about Air Pumps, and now I run none!

 

[soybean]

Unplug it and save electricity, you don't need it unless you like looking at the bubbles.

 

[minnnt]

Unplug it and save electricity, you don't need it unless you like looking at the bubbles.

I like!!!!!!

 

[soybean]

Some people like bubbles!

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

My fish actually like the bubbles. They go in them and let it lift them up and my catfish sit on top of them.

 

[Cheqraise]

Thanks guys and thanks for the welcome. This is pretty much what I read when I started fishkeeping; I just couldn't work out why it had become so essential in my tank, being that fish have been lost due to lack of oxygen when the pump is off. I have moved the powerhead much closer to the surface and pointed at the surface to create much more heavy ripples and see if this helps the situation. If it improves, much as I like bubbles, I can be arsed keep replacing these crappy pumps and diaphragms.

Cheers,

Cheq

 

[DrRob]

There is the fact that some fish like highly oxygenated water, such as fast flowing river fish. They'll benefit from anything they can get if the general flow isn't good enough, but increasing the overall flow and surface agitation would be better for them too.