I currently have the outlet below the water level - but was wondering if it would be better to have it above so that the "splash down" would help aerate the water
2006-12-20 09:40:52 · 7 answers · asked by Tim H 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
If aeration is your main concern then personally I would prefer for it to be above. I would also add a rain bar.
Anyway if your place is relatively dry, evaporation would probably be higher too if the bar is above water, so you might have to top-up the water more frequently.
Lastly I am assuming you're not having a CO2 fed planted tank. If you are, leave the outlet under the water. You don't want surface agitation to cause you to lose CO2.
2006-12-20 16:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by dragonfly_sg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably best to have the bottom of the spillway right at the water level. This way you'll get some surface agitation and better oxygen exchange. And you'll also reduce noise and messy splashing... both of which are pretty annoying.
Most power filters are designed so that when the aquarium water level is just hidden by the lower edge of the tank frame, the filter spillway will be in the position described above.
2006-12-20 16:02:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
External Filter
2016-11-02 22:56:43 · answer #3 · answered by isles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is personal preference IMO.
You are correct that if it splashes down it will break up the surface of the water, thereby allowing greater aeration of the tank.
However it will do almost as good a job by having it below the surface.
If you see a film on the top of the tank, then you will want to raise it so that the surface water is agitated and the film dispersed.
2006-12-20 15:10:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on the temperature of your water and the temperature of the surrounding air. As a general rule, it is better to have the outlet above water, as you say, to aerate the water going back in. However, if you are trying to maintain a certain water temp and your air temp is radically different, you will find you have a hard time maintaining the water temp because all that air going through the water as it goes back in from the filter tends to make the water temp the same as the air temp. Depending on the type of fish, this may not be that big of a problem. However, if you have koi or goldfish in an outdoor pond, you can "super cool" the water by circulating it through cold winter air and this can have a very negative effect on your fish. It's like bringing them home from the store and dumping them straight into the tank without floating them in first - it can put them into a shock they never recover from. Hope this helps.
2006-12-20 09:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by Poopy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should have the outlet below the water line to provide adequate suction for the filter. You can place it no more than 1/2 inch above if you wish, but it's advisable for it to be below. If you need aeration in your tank, try getting a power head, or bubble stone.
2006-12-20 09:49:49 · answer #6 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you have a boi wheel or air or live plants it will not help puting it above the water line. Puting above the water will ad o2 into the water but you are better off using live plats. If your fish are circling at the water line and guping in at the water your tank needs o2 fast, then place the outlet above the water line they will stop in a few hours as the o2 increases in the mean time hall ass to the pet shop and get some plants!!!
2006-12-20 12:37:30 · answer #7 · answered by y171bg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋