Where To Start?

[Deleted member 55926]

Thanks again for all your replies.

Well I ordered the tank last night. So I will get the Fluval 3+ but I am a bit confused about some things:

• What else do I need with the filter, or will the Fluval come with everything I need?
• What is an air stone, and do I need one?
• Do I need a separate oxygen pump somewhere in the substrate, or does the filter provide oxygen when pumping out the cleaned water?
• Do I need something to disperse the flow of the filter output?
• Is the filter completely submerged, or does the water get pumped back out above the surface and 'fall' back into the tank? Does this provide oxygen?

 

[OldMan47]

A Fluval 3+ is completely submerged in the tank water. It comes with some sponges that will let you use the filter with no other additions. It provides enough water circulation to prevent stratification which is all you need for enough oxygen in the water. If you like having bubbles, the discharge nozzle on a 3+ will have an attachment to let you bring in bubbles from the air above the water line. You do not need an air stone or an air pump unless you like the look of bubbles coming from the air stone. An air stone is just a porous object that you can pump air through to create lots of tiny bubbles instead of the bigger ones you would otherwise get from an air pump.