How much is enough ???

[Cliff]

I just read a post with a lot of discussion about whether or not air stones actually oxygenate the water or if the oxygenation really occurs from the surface movement resulting from the bubbles moving and breaking the water surface. I'm not starting this thread to start that discussion again.

It made me think of how much surface movement do you need to put good enough oxygen levels in the water. I'm not too sure if my canister out-put tube is close enough to the water surface to move and break the water surface enough. It's about 1.5 to 2" below the surface.

Although I don't think this would be a big deal for my tank with all of the plants in it, but it still makes me wonder how much is enough?

I would be curious to see if anyone has a "rule of thumb" they use for their tanks ?

[VoidParadigm]

No rule of thumb in my opinion.

Fish who prefer colder climates need more oxygenation. (Not attempting a debate, but goldfish do not "prefer" colder climates, and thus are fine in Tropical conditions SO LONG AS there is adequate aeration.) Tropicals are generally fine with whatever you give them.

Basically, if you don't think you have enough, add another filter or bubbler or whatever to stir up more. All that can be said.

It's a personal thing and there are just as many who think extra aeration is carp as there are that use it in all their tanks.

[Zilla]

I don't use air stones in either one of my tanks as I don't find it necessary. If fish are having a problem breathing for whatever reason, they'll go to the surface. Of course there are species of fish that naturally suface like Gouramis, but as long as they are not showing any type of stress such as labored breathing, suddenly becoming pale ( a stress reaction) have red gills, ect you don't have anything to worry about.

Water conditioners such as Amquel can mess with oxygen levels as can some medications. It's important to read labels and use things such as air stones when it's suggested. If extra bubbles make you happy, by all means add a air stone or wall of bubbles, but it's not needed. It's just something else that would need to be plugged in.

[smaug]

The simple rule of thumb is this.If you don't have fish hanging out at the surface and they all have there correct level of activity,there is enough 02 in the water.That being said,a bubble does more then add 02,it also creates beneficial water movement and aids in the escape of c02,fish seem to always benefit from having a bubbler,I assume they "like" the bubbles as well because they always seem to be in or around the stream in the tanks I have with them.The other side of this issue is this,if you need a bubbler you have other issues that are causing problems with 02 retention and acquisition.Those issues could be but are not limited to, high nitrates,broken cycle,to much dead or dying plant material or a foul substrate or just simply need to do more frequent water changes,in short,a stone isn't needed if you have your ducks in a row but a stone will always be beneficial.There,,,,,,clear as mud:ssmile:

[tanks4thememories]

I just read a post with a lot of discussion about whether or not air stones actually oxygenate the water or if the oxygenation really occurs from the surface movement resulting from the bubbles moving and breaking the water surface. I'm not starting this thread to start that discussion again.

It made me think of how much surface movement do you need to put good enough oxygen levels in the water. I'm not too sure if my canister out-put tube is close enough to the water surface to move and break the water surface enough. It's about 1.5 to 2" below the surface.

Although I don't think this would be a big deal for my tank with all of the plants in it, but it still makes me wonder how much is enough?

I would be curious to see if anyone has a "rule of thumb" they use for their tanks ?

The short answer is a properly stocked tank under nominal conditions does not require any aeration because it occurs naturally.

Here is the long answer. ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

[Rhaethe]

I think it also depends on the species of fish you have and if they were wild caught or tank bred. Some really don't like any increased agitation in the water whatsoever.

[bushwhacker]

i have canister filters on my tanks with the spray bar aimed at the surface to roil the water and hob filters to add the waterfall effect. no airstones at all

[Cliff]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. All of my fish and plants look good and seam to be perfectly fine. Nobody’s acting differently lately. I’m just trying to make sure they all stay that way before there is are problems.

I’m going to take Bushwacker’s suggestion and see if I can make a spray bar this weekend.

[smaug]

If you are adding co2 for the plants,too much surface agitation is not a good thing.

[Zilla]

I don't think he does. There was already a discussion about that.

[smaug]

I don't think he does. There was already a discussion about that.
Well alright then.

[Cliff]

If you are adding co2 for the plants,too much surface agitation is not a good thing.

Zilla is correct, no CO2 in the tank. I did start a post a few days ago about it but decided against it as my plants are currently doing well and I was concerned having one was beyond my current skill level.

[lowlight]

If the surface of the water is moving then there is aeration. The return nozzle on my filter is also about 2" below the surface and there is more than enough water movement.

[tanks4thememories]

If the surface of the water is moving then there is aeration. The return nozzle on my filter is also about 2" below the surface and there is more than enough water movement.

There is aeration with or without surface movement. If tank is stocked properly aeration is adequate. If You want to achieve additional aeration the surface of the water should be constantly broken.

[WoadCelt]

Yeah my tank is fully aerated by surface agitation with water coming out in a little 'water fall' from the filter. I had initially installed an aerator before getting fish, but with the amount of vibrations it was producing was crazy, even with a bit of dampening. So I ended up removing it. The vibration and sound factor for the fish is always a good thing to consider also. :ssmile:

[lowlight]

There is aeration with or without surface movement. If tank is stocked properly aeration is adequate. If You want to achieve additional aeration the surface of the water should be constantly broken.

That makes sense.

[Dacotah7]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. All of my fish and plants look good and seam to be perfectly fine. Nobody’s acting differently lately. I’m just trying to make sure they all stay that way before there is are problems.

I’m going to take Bushwacker’s suggestion and see if I can make a spray bar this weekend.

Or you could reposition your canister retun line above the water; even closer to the surface to cause the surface to break.

I have two canister filters and both returns are above the water, which breaks the surface and causes a visable water current. Tell-tale signs are the plant movement, any floating plant debris (which I remove), minute air bubble stream and fish swimming in the stream but not moving forward.

The canister's discharge are the cause and sole source of 02 aeration, plus whatever the plants exchange. I do not have C02 equipmet.