aeration question??????
- Thread starter blueice24
- Start date
i like aerators!. the small brands for aquariums suck, i like the ones made by sweet water, their piston pumps aerate large tank very well, and unlike diaphram pumps they last a very long time, and their so quiet you cant tell thier on!. with a 12'' silica aistone, massive surface agitation and maximum oxygen saturation 
, and they stones hardly clog and they have a very small bubble, they practically last forever if they do get get clogged, just give them an acid bath and their good to go! 
, and they stones hardly clog and they have a very small bubble, they practically last forever if they do get get clogged, just give them an acid bath and their good to go! A power filter, canister and or wet dry provide enough oxygenated water once it comes out of the filter so theres really no need to provide aerators if the temp is reasonable and stocking level is fair.
A power head is recommended if you have a big tank 100 + gallons so that water circulates evenly in the tank. It also prevents "thermal layering" or uneven temperature in the water.
A power head is recommended if you have a big tank 100 + gallons so that water circulates evenly in the tank. It also prevents "thermal layering" or uneven temperature in the water.
I like air pumps too!
I don't use 'em for every situation though. But I do use them as a quick fix or if there is fry present in the tank.
I also use them to run my box, sponge and UGF filters.
I really like to use them for nostalgic reasons too. My dad used them back in the 70's. So the hum they make almost takes me back to that time. The hum is almost the soundtrack to the hobby itself if you really think about it.
So they're sort of a happy childhood memory for me.
I don't use 'em for every situation though. But I do use them as a quick fix or if there is fry present in the tank.
I also use them to run my box, sponge and UGF filters.
I really like to use them for nostalgic reasons too. My dad used them back in the 70's. So the hum they make almost takes me back to that time. The hum is almost the soundtrack to the hobby itself if you really think about it.
So they're sort of a happy childhood memory for me.
now correct me if im wrong but it seems if water is stagnant or poor in oxygen i would think that a power head would just circulate that water and not really oxygenate it, however with a powerful aerator breaking the waters surface virorously, i would think it would be way more effective than a powerhead.
add the filter output and that aretaed water is circulated throught the tank
which is even better
add the filter output and that aretaed water is circulated throught the tank
which is even better
The powerhead gets turnover going and adds surface motion which is where most of the O2 is absorbed.
I've been told by my local aquarist that in the long term using a filter only can reduce the amount of o2 available during the warmer seasons. Nearly lost my 2 pictus cats by doing this. Not worth the pain. If the noise bothers then house it in a thick walled container with holes.
I run airstones in most of my tanks. I'm sure you guys realize that these don't actually oxygenate the water. It's the surface disturbance that does it, I just thought I would throw that out in the air.
vyasa: I'm not sure who told you that, but it's not entirely true. It all comes down to the fish, imo. Fish like Tigrinus and most Pims thrive in well oxygenated, fast moving water. Powerheads, airstones, etc, are a must. Discus on the otherhand prefer very stagnant water. I make sure all of my filter tubes are underneathe the water and there is very little current in my discus tank. Correct me if I'm wrong, but warmer temps=greater o2 content.
vyasa: I'm not sure who told you that, but it's not entirely true. It all comes down to the fish, imo. Fish like Tigrinus and most Pims thrive in well oxygenated, fast moving water. Powerheads, airstones, etc, are a must. Discus on the otherhand prefer very stagnant water. I make sure all of my filter tubes are underneathe the water and there is very little current in my discus tank. Correct me if I'm wrong, but warmer temps=greater o2 content.
