Fish at Surface

[roombo]

I usually have one of my spraybars break the surface of the tank to create aeration. On a recent water change I filled the tank higher than usual and notice the next morning the fish at the top gasping for air. After I lowered the water level and had the spraybay breaking the suface they were acting normal a few hours later. Iv'e been told that breaking the surface does not arate the tank, it just creates a toxin exchange, is that the case? My paraemeters are all good, no amonia, nirates or rites, temp 78 water changes 30% every week. I'm confused

 

[Wimmels]

How heavy is you tank stocked? It seems you have an aeration issue of your water.

Due to turbelance more water makes contact with air to exchange the said poisons and replace oxygen in the water.

This is the reason why an airstone produces the small bubbles, this gives a lot more surface area for this proces

 

[Otherone]

You need at least 1 inch of air space between the waters surface and the lid for NH to escape the tank

 

[cichlidgirl]

I keep my tank several inches lower than most, the water from my hob filters splashes down onto the surface, producing hundreds or thousands of tiny air bubbles that are visiable to the naked eye as well as providing the surface agitation to allow the exchange of gasses. So yes it also provides some oxygen content in the water. Thats why your fish went back to normal after you lowered the water level. If you wish to keep it at a higher level you will want lots of current and a air stone to keep conditions good or you can get heavy breathing at surface.

 

[Muske]

Air stones or a sump...