How critical is a bubbler?

**ddavis1979** · 02-09-2013, 10:42 PM

I have a 55 gallon tank with some plants.

Filtration:
Aquaclear 70 HOB Power Filter
Marineland Penguin 350 BioWheel HOB Power Filter

I had an air pump with two feeds out and air stones on the ends. I had them buried in the substrate, but it was ugly and taking up space and a general pain in the neck. I took the bubblers out today, but I was wondering if that would have negative impacts, or are the filters enough?

**fishmommie** · 02-09-2013, 10:47 PM

Bubblers, as a rule, are for special affects. It's a preference on whether or not you want to use one. You appear to hvae plenty of filtration and as long as you have some surface ripple/agitation, I wouldn't worry about it.

Bubblers are suggested when you're medicating a tank to help with oxygenation.

**Cliff** · 02-09-2013, 10:47 PM

I would say, in most situations you will not need one at all

As long as you get a good amount of water movement at the surface, you will have a good amount of oxygen in the water. When you two HOB filters, I would say you are likely getting a good amount of oxygen in the water

I do not use a air bubbler in my planted 90 gallon and everything is just fine. I only use one if I have to put meds in a tank (QT tank that is) as meds can lower the amount of oxygen in the water.

But have one certainly will not harm anything and many people really like the look of having the bubbles in the tank.

**Strider199** · 02-09-2013, 10:49 PM

Extra aeration never hurts in my opinion. But is it necessary? Not if you have those two filters you mentioned. I found it helpful to have the air pump and stone going when I did a filter cleaning (peace of mind), that the fish had enough water movement in the tank for the duration.

Is it a must? Only if you dont have enough water movement in the tank with your existing filter system.

Cliff beat me too it again.