I have a Fluval canister and a Marineland Penguin running on a 75 gallon tank that was setup about 14 months ago. Do I need to add an airstone ?
Add airstone ?
- Thread starter Danny 1018
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I personally have a 55-gallon running with two Fluval HOBs, and I have a bubbler/airstone. But the airstone isn't really for utilitarian purposes if you know what I mean, although it does provide oxygen in my warm water.
It never hurts to have extra aeration - how is the surface agitation already?
Do you notice any labored breathing with the fish?
What kind of fish (some need more oxygenation than others)?
Do you notice any labored breathing with the fish?
What kind of fish (some need more oxygenation than others)?
If your canisters output, and the Penguin do a good enough job agitating the surface, to create oxygen exchange, then you may not need extra.w
But beside how many fish you have, it also depends on what species you keep.
If you have Anabantoids like bettas, and gouramis or live bearers that come from still water pools, you probably don't need an airstone (unless you crowd them).
But if you have riverine species like cichlids, or fish that live in moderate to high current streams like tetras or barbs, you may need an extra one.
Below is the kind of surface agitation (and aeration it creates)in rivers where I collect cichlids, catfish and tetras.
Below is the waters surface where slack water fish live, where you might find bettas, live bearers, or certain species of killifish.
Its all about providing the right kind of conditions, for the type species in the tank
But beside how many fish you have, it also depends on what species you keep.
If you have Anabantoids like bettas, and gouramis or live bearers that come from still water pools, you probably don't need an airstone (unless you crowd them).
But if you have riverine species like cichlids, or fish that live in moderate to high current streams like tetras or barbs, you may need an extra one.
Below is the kind of surface agitation (and aeration it creates)in rivers where I collect cichlids, catfish and tetras.
Below is the waters surface where slack water fish live, where you might find bettas, live bearers, or certain species of killifish.
Its all about providing the right kind of conditions, for the type species in the tank
I have 2 severums (about 6 inches each), 1 blood parrot (5 inches) and 5 tiger barbs (dither fish). The fish are eating fine and breathing fine.
I did add an airstone last week.....now unhappy with the much faster crusty buildup on the Penguin HOB and part of the tank's rear top frame.
I did add an airstone last week.....now unhappy with the much faster crusty buildup on the Penguin HOB and part of the tank's rear top frame.