I am planning to get a betta, some tetra, and a snail or two. My tank comes with all the systems "fully intrigrated" including a motor that pumps water through the filtrations. Now here is the question. Do i need an air stone/ air pump? Do any of them the fish i am planning to get need one or need to NOT have one?
2006-08-09 15:11:53 · 8 answers · asked by perpetual_filth 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Many won't believe it, but aeration is not required (it's more of a decoration than anything else). I have a bunch of tanks, over 100 fish, and zero aeration devices or air pumps.
Unless equipped with a special organ, fish don't breathe 'air'.
Fish breath dissolved oxygen which is already in the water (not to be mistaken for the tiny bubbles you may see). Gas-exchange occurs continuously at the surface. Additional oxygen is dissolved into the water via simple surface agitation, in the form of your filter's outflow or a powerhead, than from an air pump or air wand. If you've got surface water movement, you've got an adequate gas exchange going on which will provide all the oxygen your fish need.
People will tell you an air pump is required but never tried not using them. Meanwhile, I've got a 125-gal tank with nearly three dozen fish, and a 180-gal tank with several fish over 6-inches, and they're breeding and thriving.....all without any air pumps or aeration.
2006-08-09 19:40:38 · answer #1 · answered by Kay B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally if you have a filter you should have all the aeration you need. The proccess of filtering and returning the water generally is all you need. Bettas don't need any aeration as they can't take oxygen from the water. They take it from the surface of the water.
I'd avoid tetras as they tend to fin nip, and your betta would be too big of a target. I wouldn't mix a betta in with anything other than a apple/mystery snail in a 5 gallon or smaller tank. As a male betta tend to claim the entire tank as his territory. This is especially true if the tank is a tall tank like a hex tank. My male love their 5 gallon hexs, but won't put up with any tank mates. It does depend on the temperament of the betta in question.
2006-08-10 05:07:16 · answer #2 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Betta's don't need air but Tetras do. If I were you I wouldn't put a Betta with any other fish because the Betta will kill the other fish including another Betta. If you put one snail in the tank you will have a hundred in about 6 months. You'll have to work hard to keep them under control.
2006-08-09 15:21:44 · answer #3 · answered by unicornfarie1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're sticking with a betta and a few tetras you should be fine without an airstone as long as the filter cirulates the water sufficiently. You can probably add a couple of low light live plants as well, like a Java Fern or Anubias Bartiera, or Cryptocernes. As for them not liking air stones.....Bettas aren't fond of too much movement in the water and prefer not to have airstones.
2006-08-09 15:16:34 · answer #4 · answered by Ginger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All fish need some sort of air. Betta fish are really hard sometimes to keep. They are very fragile creatures. Tetra's are one the best fish to have. They are very resilient! They can live very long if you take good care of them. Also get you a Algae Eater. The one I have is a black one. They will grow according to the size of your tank. You will want something for ick. Again Betta's are very territorial, and my want to fight with other fish. Angel fish are also hard to keep. Go with the Air Stones. Easier to clean if you don't have alot of time. Good luck!
2006-08-09 15:23:37 · answer #5 · answered by yeayouwishyouwerehotlikeme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if the filter is one of the "water fall types" you dont need a air stone unless you want to make the tank look cute with one of those divers or treasure chests that do stuff.
If you get any thing other than a Goldfish you also need to get a heater for your tank. tropical fish need water temps 79-89 deg to be happy and heatlhy.
The Beta and the Gold fish dont really need the airation when you have them in small fish bowls (you just need to change the water out ever so often)
Most "big" tank fish (any fish you put in a tank 10 gal or more) need some type of air. a air stone or a waterfall type of filter (the type that spills back into the tank)
OH and beta dont attack any other fish than other male beta. And they will fight to the death. (a male will also kill the female after they have mated cause she will eat the young)
Dont get "kissing fish" thou cause their "kissing" is acttually how they fight. (if you get one of these get two they wont really hurt each other, and will generally leave other fishin the tank alone when they have a sparing partner)
their are several other fish that you dint want in our tank too
avoid these at all costs
Oscars
They eat all fish they are carnivores. if you put one of these in your tank it will soon be the only thing in the tank!!!!
2006-08-09 15:22:08 · answer #6 · answered by naightengale 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that the betta and snail do not need these. My betta has lived for 3 years in a small glass bowl and I know snails do not need these. Good luck.
2006-08-09 15:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously you are going to get tons of differing opinions.......I'm just gonna chime in on the 'keeping betta or goldfish in a bowl'....please people...get real....would you want to be stuck in a little box all of your life?..with goldfish especially the minimum rule is no less that 10 gallons per inch of 'grown' fish:?...OK.....try it and see what works best for you and your fish...they do have their own personalities....so...take it from there.
2006-08-09 20:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by TooSassy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋