Do I really need my air pump on?

[cdc]

I am running a 55g sump on my 300 with a drilled overflow, the return comes back into the tank at a 45 degree angle just under the waters surface. I have been running a air pump with large round airstone. I have to turn the air pump off when I feed my fish as it pushes the floating food from one end of the tank to the other really fast.

Do I really need the airpump running or does the overflow and sump put enough air into the water?

 

[BODYDUB]

As long as there is adequate surface agitating then a air stone isn't needed.......

 

[zennzzo]

I am running a 55g sump on my 300 with a drilled overflow, the return comes back into the tank at a 45 degree angle just under the waters surface. I have been running a air pump with large round airstone. I have to turn the air pump off when I feed my fish as it pushes the floating food from one end of the tank to the other really fast.

Do I really need the airpump running or does the overflow and sump put enough air into the water?

As long as 2/3rds of the media is out of the water in the sump, you are fine without the bubbles...in all actuality the airstone and air are adding current...Its moving water to the surface to be exposed to the open air, it doesn't add any oxygen to the water at the bubble level...

I used to have to shut down ALL my filtration to feed before, as the food would go down the overflow faster than the fish could get it to eat...That was the reason I put a tank level master switch on the stand...it was a PITA to get under the tank everytime I wanted to feed...

 

[cdc]

My Aro is a bit slow at feeding so I have to turn the air pump off or like you say it goes straight down the overflow.

I dont have much surface movement as the sump outlet pumps back in under the waters surface. The only real movement is when water is scimmed from the top of the tank by the overflow.

Also non of my media is underwater my water level in the sump is just below the bio balls.

 

[zennzzo]

My Aro is a bit slow at feeding so I have to turn the air pump off or like you say it goes straight down the overflow.

I dont have much surface movement as the sump outlet pumps back in under the waters surface. The only real movement is when water is scimmed from the top of the tank by the overflow.

Also none of my media is underwater my water level in the sump is just below the bio balls.

this will oxygenate the water by breaking it up into tiny droplets exposing the surface of every drop to the air...skimming overflows keep the oils off the surface and allow the gas exchange to be more efficient...

 

[cdc]

this will oxygenate the water by breaking it up into tiny droplets exposing the surface of every drop to the air...skimming overflows keep the oils off the surface and allow the gas exchange to be more efficient...

Thanks, I will give it a try and turn it off. I can always put it back on if something does not look right with the fish.