I have a 8x2x2 tank with a 9 inch pond circle bubble thing. (Excuse the terminology). I also have 4 small airstones. Would it be ok to take out the airstones and use a wave maker to oxygenate my water? So a 9 inch bubbler and a wave maker good enough?
Airstone or wave maker
- Thread starter BOOMSHAKER
- Start date
I would personally place wave maker near the surface for agitation. Really wouldn't need the airstone but save it for power outages.
Wave maker disturbing the surface will as well or better than an airpump, and circulate the water better AND be *FAR* quieter than an airpump.
I agree w/ the wave maker idea though I don't use one. A couple thoughts...
- If you have more than one filter on the tank orient the outlet from one of the filters toward the surface of the water so it accomplishes the same trick
- If you have corner overflows consider using one as an inlet and the other as an outlet for one of your filters or a polisher
- Airstones and spray bars cause algae growth on the underside of the lid but flowing water does not.
- An agitated surface is worthless without fresh air entering the tank. You can do that with an air pump but you can also do it with lid gaps. One should be close to the point your water agitation starts. The other can be anywhere near the opposite end of the tank.
- If you have more than one filter on the tank orient the outlet from one of the filters toward the surface of the water so it accomplishes the same trick
- If you have corner overflows consider using one as an inlet and the other as an outlet for one of your filters or a polisher
- Airstones and spray bars cause algae growth on the underside of the lid but flowing water does not.
- An agitated surface is worthless without fresh air entering the tank. You can do that with an air pump but you can also do it with lid gaps. One should be close to the point your water agitation starts. The other can be anywhere near the opposite end of the tank.
What kind of fish are you keeping?
If you are keeping riverine species that come from a linear flow environment, a wave maker is the way to go.
And depending whether the fish kept come come a rheophillic habitat, then more than one wave maker that tosses riffles of water along the entire length of the tank may be better. But ....
If you keep fish that prefer a low flow habitat, like those that live in oxbows, pond or rice paddies, air stones may be adequate.
If you are keeping riverine species that come from a linear flow environment, a wave maker is the way to go.
And depending whether the fish kept come come a rheophillic habitat, then more than one wave maker that tosses riffles of water along the entire length of the tank may be better. But ....
If you keep fish that prefer a low flow habitat, like those that live in oxbows, pond or rice paddies, air stones may be adequate.