HELP! needed about air pumps/CLOSED

[Super Andre]

Ok my Tetratec APS 50 has just came through the post, I have a 46 litre fluval edge tank and I was wondering what else do I need to use the air pump. I obviously need some tube and valve but I don't no anything about them. Please give me your advice on what to buy. and another thing do fish need air pumps.

[Aeonflame]

Fish do not need air pumps unless you are overstocked and have no surface movement. Usually an airstone is attached to the airpump via a tube. It is advised that you also install a check valve into the tube to prevent a siphon from forming. Do you have a powered filter or is the airpump to be used for filtration?

[Super Andre]

Fish do not need air pumps unless you are overstocked and have no surface movement. Usually an airstone is attached to the airpump via a tube. It is advised that you also install a check valve into the tube to prevent a siphon from forming. Do you have a powered filter or is the airpump to be used for filtration?

I have the filter which came with the fluval edge 46 litre aquarium, so I don't need an air pump, how much will it effect my fish without an air pump.

[Aeonflame]

An air pump is generally not necessary. Its mostly used for aesthetics

[Super Andre]

A air pump is generally not necessary. Its mostly used for aesthetics

Do you rekon my tank and filter will need an air pump and what are aesthetics.

[Aeonflame]

Pertaining to beauty aesthetics are. Need an air pump you do not.

[gm72]

So just to reiterate, you do not need an air pump unless you like how the bubbles look.

[KingFisher]

No, an airpump is not necessary as long as you have enough surface agitation from the filter outflow. They are good to have on hand to use while treating the tank with meds that cause the water to have less O2 in it.

[pjaldave]

As everyone said, it is not necessary if you already have a filter that is agitating the water surface.

Plus in a Fluval Edge, if you put an airstone in, your tank would be full of bubbles as there's only a small opening, unless you put the airstone in the center then that might work, which will not be pleasing to look at the tubing at the center.

[kattiq]

If you don't have a check valve at the moment and still want to use the pump, you can always place the air pump above the water to prevent back siphoning. Also placing the pump on a carpeted or soft surface can help alleviate any vibration noise. I have gone through 2 pumps that were just so ridiculously loud, so I hope yours isn't as bad! :)