A power filter came with the starter kit so I'm guessing that's all I'll need in order to start the tank?
2007-02-04 13:45:50 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I am going to have to assume that the power filter is the proper size for the tank, seeing as it came with the kit, but sometimes making such assumption can be a little naive. The typical pairing of filters to aquariums are set up for tropical freshwater tanks. If that's what you intend on keeping, it's probably fine. If you intend on keeping goldfish, it is probably insufficient. Power filters do a really good job of mechanical and chemical filtration, and for only a 10 gallon tank, is an acceptable form of bacterial filtration. It isn't good as a standalone filter for a larger aquarium because it does not produce enough bacterial filtration. So, yes, a power filter is all you need for this aquarium. Pretty much all filters produce enough aeration/oxygen so that an air pump is not needed. Please read up on cycling a tank prior to adding fish so that you will have happy, healthy fish that will not die. Good luck and have fun!
2007-02-04 14:21:57 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Check the rating for the power filter that came with your tank. For a 10 gallon tank, it should have a gallons per hour (gph) rating of 50-100. This is all you really need.
An air pump is okay to use to drive air-powered decorations and to supplement oxygen in the tank, but come nowhere near providing the circulation and O2 exchange that a power filter will supply. For best operation, fill the tank completely so that the water from the filter creates a "ripple" across the top of the water rather than a "splash" into the tank. The higher water level will also protect the motor if your electric goes off - most filters will suction water from the filter back into the tank if the tank level is low, leaving your filter to run dry.
If you're going to be away from home and the tank water may evaporate to where it gets low, an air pump is good to use as a back-up for your filter.
2007-02-04 14:40:42 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
As long as you can turn the flow down it should be OK. Betta can handle a bit of current around the tank, but they aren't really powerfull swimmers. Ian
2016-05-24 09:28:47 · answer #3 · answered by Shivani 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are if it came with the tank, it is the right one. You don't need an air pump for any reason in your tank. An air pump is purely decorative) I will not provide any Dissolved oxygen to your tank. You should be good to go, just remember to cycle your tank prior to adding any fish.
2007-02-05 05:11:54 · answer #4 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes, as long as you dont overcrowd your tank the filter is all you will need for air supply.
2007-02-06 03:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by Jonathan B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That should be enough, But a pump will aerate the water and give it a lot more oxygen
2007-02-04 13:50:31 · answer #6 · answered by darfol 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
should be ok, i dont use air in any of my tanks and i have been keeping and spawing fish for years, just dont over crowd the tank
2007-02-04 13:48:48 · answer #7 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋