Why do the fish need the air pump for?

Question

thanks guys I've should of asked this question yesterday. My fish died , just bought them a day ago.

Answer 1

In a natural body of water, plant life supplies the water with extra oxygen. In much larger bodies, the tidal cycles churn oxygen into the water, keeping it infused with enough O2 for the fishies.

In a small, stagnant fish tank, the fish can breathe utilize the oxygen in the water much like a person would trapped in an almost airtight container. You'd have enough air to live, but you'd be lethargic and sickly.

The air pump allows for much greater air exchange in the water. Remember that fish don't just simply breathe water. Rather, their gills filter oxygen from the water in a manner comparable to how our lungs filter oxygen from the air.

Answer 2

Generally it serves to purposes.

1)Puts air in the water. Most fish get air from the water and need an air pump in order to get enough. Bettas are really the only fish I'd put in a tank/bowl without an air, or filter.

2)An air pump can also be used to drive several types of filters. (Undergravel filter, sponge....) Helping move water over the filter, and providing oxygen to the bacteria which break down ammonia.

Personally I prefer to use a standard aquarium filter which takes care of my filtration needs and aeration needs. Plus it's a lot quieter that an air pump. Some people do both, but it generally not needed.

Note you should do some reading on the subject of aeration, and the nitrogen cycle.

Answer 3

They dont. The air pump only oxygenates the water. This is done by disturbing the water surface with the bubbles. Obviously, this is not as efficient as a good filter, or a powerhead if not enough. The bubbles do not magically add oxygen, they just disturb the surface allowing 02 in and co2 out

Trust me, unless all my fish are ghosts, they dont need an airpump. I would suggest searching about fishless cycling before adding fish

Answer 4

I'm sure they didn't die from you not having an air pump. While it does contribute to the oxygen it doesn't actually add it, all it does is breaks up the surface of the water to allow oxygen to enter and a good filter can do that. Your fish probably died from either ammonia poisoning, chlorine poisoning (if you didn't use a water conditioner) or from stress. Before you buy more fish read up on cycling a tank, you will kill less fish.

Answer 5

An air pump is used to create aeration, but not because it directly oxygenates the water. The air pump blows bubbles up to the top, creating surface movement. This surface movement is what is needed to created aeration for the fish.

Air pumps can also be used to power decorative bubbles, such as the diver that actually dives or the treasure chest that opens and closes.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

the air pump provides oxygen needed for the fish to be healthy. lots of people say that the fish doesn't need an air pump and can come up to the surface of the water for air, but this is not true. the air pump alows the fish to get air without having to breath in air bumbles. when a fish comes up for air, if you don't have an air pump, the fish will have bubles in his throat, causing it to not eat for days and have heart problems.

Answer 7

The air pump adds oxygen to the water and obviously fish need the oxygen to live. Also, still water becomes stagnant more quickly and will kill your fish. Of course, the fish also have fun swimming through the bubbles so it's worth it just to give them something to do other than swim swim stop turn around, swim swim stop turn around all day long.

Answer 8

the pump oxygenates the water by the movement and the fish breathe underwater....it also pumps the water thru a filter to remove debris....fish cannot live very long without the pump...goldfish or betas must have clean water regularly in a bowl or they will gasp for air at the top

Answer 9

to aerate the water. (add air to the water). Aerated water simulates constantly flowing water (like in the wild).

Answer 10

To provide oxygen for them.