Water Bubblers

[Tenaj]

Hello all! When I got my first 10 gallon tank, it came with the LED kit and also included a water bubbles strip. 3 weeks later when I upgraded to my 36 gallon tank, I DID NOT add the water bubbler strip. Should I have one? If so, how do they help the fish and or tank? Thanks!

 

[Colin_T]

Can you post a picture of the bubble strip?

Fish tanks need some sort of surface turbulence or aeration to get the carbon dioxide out of the water and oxygen back into the water. This can be done with airstones running off an air pump, or from a power filter spraying water across the surface.

 

[Tenaj]

I do not have it anymore since I was able to return the tank to petsmart. It was a strip that ran across the entire back of the 10 gallon tank.

Can you post a picture of the bubble strip?

Fish tanks need some sort of surface turbulence or aeration to get the carbon dioxide out of the water and oxygen back into the water. This can be done with airstones running off an air pump, or from a power filter spraying water across the surfaces d

 

[Slaphppy7]

I do not have it anymore since I was able to return the tank to petsmart. It was a strip that ran across the entire back of the 10 gallon tank.

Generally speaking, if your filter(s) create enough surface agitation for proper gas exchange, a bubbler isn't a required piece of equipment...there ARE times when they can be helpful and beneficial, however

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

What @Slaphppy7 said.
Water contains oxygen it absorbs from the air*, through the water surface. This is one reason why a tank with a larger surface area is better for more fish.
When a filter agitates the water surface, it increases the surface area, so increasing the amount of oxygen getting into the water.
When you have a 'bubbler', each bubble is an extra sphere of surface area and so helps oxygen get into the water. (It also helps unwanted gases leave the water).

Bubblers are not essential pieces of kit, but as they do increase the oxygenation of the water, they are usually seen as beneficial and, in hospital tanks, for example, they can be considered as VERY beneficial.

*Water can also contian the oxygen produced by plants, and you'll see this especially when the plant leaves make bubbles on their leaves.

 

[Tenaj]

So much to learn. Thank you!

 

[Slaphppy7]

I keep battery-powered air pumps on hand, in case of power outtages...they can't take the place of filters, but at least there is some oxygenation, and surface agitation for gas exchange

Otherwise, I don't use bubblers in any of my tanks

 

[noobfish]

Can you post a picture of the bubble strip?

Fish tanks need some sort of surface turbulence or aeration to get the carbon dioxide out of the water and oxygen back into the water. This can be done with airstones running off an air pump, or from a power filter spraying water across the surface.

With a planted tank do the plants help with regulating the CO/O2 levels? I have a HOB, but I keep the flow pretty moderate.

 

[Slaphppy7]

With a planted tank do the plants help with regulating the CO/O2 levels? I have a HOB, but I keep the flow pretty moderate.

Certainly they do...to a degree

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

So much to learn. Thank you!

Never truer words.