55g aeration question(s)

[Stump]

Hi everyone.

To get right down to it, I have a 55g (48x12x21 -- something like that) with a single Aqueon 55 hob filter... The tank has been set up since March, and is a barebottom tank with some rockwork on the right-hand side. For a while now (it could have been since I set it up) I have noticed tiny, tiny particle-like things floating around. I am pretty sure it's just oxygen, but I am starting to wonder if a single HOB filter can produce so much aeration.

I have an artesian well I get my water from, and I use Aquasafe and/or Nutrafin Aqua Plus water conditioners (right now it's nutrafin). Could what i'm seeing be particles from the conditioners? I have read that well water doesn't need to be treated a little while ago, and I am wondering if I am wasting money using them.


What do you think? Could a single filter create a lot of aeration in the water, or could it be the water conditioner's particles floating around freely from not being put to use?



I raised my water level a bit today to see if it would cut down what i'm seeing, but I don't want to leave it like that if it will deprive my fish of oxygen. My water level is usually just beneath the upper brace, so it isn't completely "full".


Any help would be appreciated... The sooner the better.



edit: I should also add that I use the same water treatment for my other tanks, and I don't notice anything with them... Slightly with my 40g, but I have an airstone in that one, under a rock.

 

[Stump]

bump...

 

[LurkMcgurk]

you have me stumped

 

[r3d]

ive noticed when i overfeed my frozen food i end up with little bubbles everywhere until my next water change
do you feed frozen?

 

[Stump]

Yes, about every other day actually (just started a couple of weeks ago). I make my own. I do 5-10g WCs daily (usually vaccuming the bottom for debris, because when you have a bare-bottom tank, every little thing shows). Even after WCs it is still noticable.


I will stop feeding frozen for a week, and keep up with my regular WCs and see if it makes a difference.



Anything else you can think of?

 

[Stump]

I just put a Regant powerhead in (not sure what size, but it WORKS lol), using the aeration hole, so oxygen in the water isn't a problem at all now... Lots of aeration.

I'm hoping after a few days continuing water changes I will see nothing but the bubbles coming from the powerhead.

 

[devder1]

I just put a Regant powerhead in (not sure what size, but it WORKS lol), using the aeration hole, so oxygen in the water isn't a problem at all now... Lots of aeration.

I'm hoping after a few days continuing water changes I will see nothing but the bubbles coming from the powerhead.

hey stump sorry if it's a stupid question but how do you fit a powerhead onto a HOB kuz I would love to get more water movement in my tanks with HOBs?
Thx

 

[Stump]

You don't put them in the HOBs... I have mine on the opposite side of the tank, basically hanging there, being held in place by the weight of some floor tiles and a small board (I situated the powerhead how I wanted it, made sure the cord was tight leaving the tank, and weighed it down to hold in place ).

Nothing fancy, but it's working.

 

[devder1]

You don't put them in the HOBs... I have mine on the opposite side of the tank, basically hanging there, being held in place by the weight of some floor tiles and a small board (I situated the powerhead how I wanted it, made sure the cord was tight leaving the tank, and weighed it down to hold in place ).

Nothing fancy, but it's working.

Ok so u use them individually
I always see that u are supposed to put them on undergravel filters and I thought I couldn't use em because I dnt have an undergravel filter
Could you post a pic? Thx so much!

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I have a 55g with a single Aqueon 55 hob filter... The tank has been set up since March, and is a barebottom tank

Unless you only have a couple of guppies in there (I assume it's the poly tank in your sig) - you need more biofiltration. Substrate holds a significant portion of beneficial bacteria. With your bare bottom you only rely on the HOB, and that's not enough bar a far shot. That powerhead does not add anything other than water movement and aeration.

I have noticed tiny, tiny particle-like things floating around. I am pretty sure it's just oxygen

Stop the filter for a few minutes and see if these particles sink or float. If they rise to the top and vanish, then they're air bubbles. If not, then you have other crap in there. One more reason to upgrade filtration.

I have an artesian well I get my water from, and I use Aquasafe and/or Nutrafin Aqua Plus water conditioners (right now it's nutrafin). I have read that well water doesn't need to be treated a little while ago, and I am wondering if I am wasting money using them.

Yes you are, unless you need to be concerned about heavy metals in your well.

HarleyK