What is the purpose to having an air pump in a fish tank? If i have a 10 gallon tank with terta....should I get one?
2007-12-20 11:06:54 · 5 answers · asked by andrew k 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Definetly. Most fish can't breathe from the air (only a few can, such as betta's) so they need oxygen put into their tank. The air pump (also need airstone attached) doesnt directly put it in, it creates disturbance at the top of the water, letting toxic gases excape, and good gases such as oxygen enter the water. YOU DEFINETLY NEED ONE! AS WELL AS A FILTER!
By the way, most tetra's should be in groups of 6 or more, so you should get 5 more tetras and put them in, as well as a filter/aereater. Also remember a heater, or some way to keep the water from 75-82 degrees fahrenheit.
2007-12-20 11:12:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
As long as you have a proper filter, you won't need an airpump/airstone.
Contrary to popular belief, these don't "add" oxygen. The bubbles rise to the top and pop too fast for that! Where the oxygen is dissolved into the water is at the surface. What the airstones do is through the action of the bubbles rising to the top, this forces the water at the top to circulate through the tank. If you compare the movement caused by the bubbles to that of the flow out of your filter's return, you'll see that a filter actually circulates the water better. And the way to get the most circulation is to fill the tank to the top so the water coming out of the filter creates "riffles" across the top of the water, not removing water to make a "waterfall". The waterfall looks more impressive, and creates a lot of bubbles, but these bubbles rise and pop just as quickly as the ones from an airstone, so they do little to add oxygen. Having the water level lower also puts more stress on the filter's motor, so it might not last as long.
At one time, airstones/air pumps were necessary to power undergravel filters, but hang on filters have for the most part replaced undergravels. So about the only reason to have an airpump/air stone any more is to power the ornaments that make bubbles or air curtains - but use these because you like them, not because they add oxygen.
2007-12-20 11:38:41 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No of course not! The higher intensity the better. Air pumps provide oxygen to fish, and it is best to supply as much as possible. I have had a 50 gallon pump in my 20 gallon tank for 2 years and my fish are fine. Trust me, there is no such thing as too big of an air pump.
2016-05-25 05:39:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! If you want them to live! And when you change out the water, never just pour some in it, because it has chlorine in it, plus it needs to warm up to the same as what's in the tank. need to get yourself a book or go to the library. A pump adds air to the water, and helps clean it.
2007-12-20 11:16:18 · answer #4 · answered by Alice C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
- Bringing oxygen into the tank.
- If you want to, go right ahead. It won't hurt the tank any.
Just as a side note, when i use aeration units I find that algae is much happier to grow in my tanks.
2007-12-20 11:12:54 · answer #5 · answered by Rob 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋