Spray Bar And Oxygenating

[plectastic]

I can't decide where my spray bar should be. I got worried when I had it just below the surface pointing slightly up and moving the water as it wasn't breaking the surface so I moved it above surface and pointed down but the noise is quite loud and it's in the living room.
 
I've got a small powerhead to help with circulation but I've always been a fan of having the filter outlet breaking the water surface somehow but this one is noisy. Noisy as in water noise, not electrical.
 
What is best?

 

[Colonials66]

I'm by no means an expert on the matter but as long as it causes the water to ripple at the surface then that is fine, isn't it? I.e. no need for the surface to actually create bubbles. I may be wrong but this is how I use my external filter.

 

[Gilli]

Above poster is correct. You dont need bubbles or splashing. As long as there is gentle movement in the water at the top of the tank the oxygen levels will be fine. I have a 4 foot tank and just have my external filter outlet just below the surface and thats all I do to oxygenate the water.

 

[plectastic]

cool thanks both

 

[DrRob]

Agreed, the most important thing is to bring a lot of water into contact with the surface. The air will worry about itself.

 

[Liam2368]

As above, just think of fish in ponds there airation is usually from the wind rippleing the surface.

 

[techen]

It also depends if you have plants/CO2 etc as well.