Does an oxygen pump help improve water quality?

[asm129]

I was just wondering if an oxygen pump helps to improve the water quality in a fish tank.

I've got a 240g tank with a 17" aro, 2 10" pbass, and 6 8" bichirs. I've got an FX5 and small sump on the tank, so I'm slightly overstocked. Will an oxygen pump help to break down ammonia/nitrite/nitrates? I'm guessing it's got to help with the gas exchange.

 

[Aquafreak]

It will help with gas exchange. It probably will not aid the nitrogen cycle noticably unless the air is being pumped through bio-media where you could potentially reduce some nitrates. Key word potentially.
Sent from Motorola ATRIX 2 on MonsterAquaria

 

[BaNaKeen]

If you have an extra pump laying around you could always make a D-I-Y filter and design it specifically for your concerns, biological in your case as long as you are not concerned about having a little ugly box somewhere in the corner of your tank

 

[Aquafreak]

If you have an extra pump laying around you could always make a D-I-Y filter and design it specifically for your concerns, biological in your case as long as you are not concerned about having a little ugly box somewhere in the corner of your tank

I agree or better yet use the air pump and set up a sponge filter. Sponge filters can be very effective (once bio is established on foam). There's a sticky about sponge filters.

Sent from Motorola ATRIX 2 on MonsterAquaria

 

[Ed209]

I thought you meant a pump that generates oxygen. My late Aunt had a device that made O instead of having a cylinder.

 

[thechief]

you dont have a air pump on it at all right now??

 

[aquaventions]

Diffusing oxygen into an overstocked tank will reduce the stress on the fish, but you need to use either an oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator.

 

[fwiffo]

get two big hydro sponge 5 filters (they're like 12 bucks each) and get the big mean air pump. those two sponge filters will kick butt cause they just rock for the cost!