is an air pump essential?
- Thread starter perdeep007
- Start date
Air pumps increase surface area and help oxygenate the water.
Unless you're using it to power equipment eg: protein skimmers etc...it's not necessary IMO.
I run a battery operated air pump on my tank as added insurance against power outages.
Unless you're using it to power equipment eg: protein skimmers etc...it's not necessary IMO.
I run a battery operated air pump on my tank as added insurance against power outages.
It's not essential, however; what I'd highly recommend is running a sponge filter on top of your existing filter, as if you have a power outage or filter break, the sponge will act as a back-up. This is even better with a battery operated.
I use water pumps, hardly ever air pumps.
If I feel the need for extra agitation, I put a venturi tube on the influent of the water pump to the tank. Venturis have an aperture that uses the power of the flow of water to suck air (or ozone, and other gases (Bernoulli's theorum) into the flow, and push the bubbles out into the tank. Many power heads have venturis built right in.
If I feel the need for extra agitation, I put a venturi tube on the influent of the water pump to the tank. Venturis have an aperture that uses the power of the flow of water to suck air (or ozone, and other gases (Bernoulli's theorum) into the flow, and push the bubbles out into the tank. Many power heads have venturis built right in.
Another factor her would be what kind of filter are you using. If it is a HOB you probably will be fine without the air pump. But a canister putting your return back in the tank with little or no surface dsturbance the air pump would be a good idea.
I personally like to see more airation on most tanks. How ever some fish do need calmer water. What kind of fish are in your tank?
I personally like to see more airation on most tanks. How ever some fish do need calmer water. What kind of fish are in your tank?
As long as you have the surface being moved then an air pump is not necessary. I still enjoy the look to them
Are you just talking for aeration into the tank? Not necessary if you have enough surface agitation to get some O2 into the water. I personally use them on all my tanks just because I don't use powerheads in every tank
They're also useful for creating updraft currents in dead spots... useful on larger tanks.. and much cheaper to operate than a pump.
