2007-12-29 13:28:44 · 6 answers · asked by DavE A 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Well if you can keep it on all the time, please do. It's great for the health of your fish, and it helps keep the water of your tank clear. But if it keeps you up at night or it overheats quickly, then it would probably be okay to turn it off for the night. Even a slight trickle from your filter that causes turbulence can mix enough oxygen into the water of your tank to be sufficient for your fish's breathing. But never keep the water level of your tank too high for your filter to cause turbulence if you do this.
Another issue with this is if you have a planted tank or not. If it is planted, then you could turn the bubbler off during the day, but you should keep it on at night. Plants create oxygen in the daylight, but they can rob it from your tank during the night hours.
The best course of action here really depends on the layout of your tank, and how the bubbler affects your fish. My fish aren't bothered by the bubbler, but some longer-finned fish like male guppies or bettas can get damaged fins by hanging out in the turbulent waters above your bubbler. So it really depends on a number of factors. For a better answer from me, just add some more info about your tank and fish, and I'll check back soon.
Clinton
2007-12-29 13:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it on all the time. With a 30 gallon tank you need more than an air pump inless you are doing 25% water changes 2x a week. Anyway, I wouldn't unplug the pump for a couple of reasons:
1. Fish constantly need oxygen, so if you turn of the pump its like you living with very low oxygen for the night, and basically slowly suffocating.
2. When you unplug the pump water starts traveling up the tube and will eventually come up to the pump and brake it.
2007-12-29 21:35:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have another type of filter on the tank? If so, the air pump isn't necessary at all - you can use it and turn it off as you like.
If the air pump runs an undergravel filter (and this is your ONLY filter) or you have no other source of water movement, you'll need to leave it on, unless your fish are labyrinth fish (bettas or gouramis). Even so, it would be better for the beneficial bacteria in the tank if you would leave the air pump on if it's your only source of water movement.
NOTE: An air pump shouldn't be placed so it's below the top of the water in your tank so it doesn't siphon the water out. An a check valve will prevent the water from flowing back into your pump.
2007-12-29 21:40:32 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This depends on your filtration. If you are running air powered filtration, such as a sponge, box, or undergravel filter you need to run it 24/7.
If you have some other sort of filtration, as long as you have decent surface movement you don't need the air pump. O2 transfer is caused by surface motion, all the air pump does is ripple the surface. The water moving against the air above it causes friction, which causes molecular transfer between the water & air. This adds air to the water, and also adds water to the air.
2007-12-29 21:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by Tolak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
doesn't matter, you got your filter.. but the thing is that if you unplug it, make sure the tube is hanging higher than your fishtank or else water from your fishtank will start coming from the tube into your water pump causing it to not work anymore. if you air pump came with a valve. it will stop the water from going into your system...
2007-12-30 04:37:20 · answer #5 · answered by jonathan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's a good idea to keep it on ALL the time, as fish need air. if your filter produces bubbles, then you can turn the bubbler off once in a while. but not for tooooo long.
2007-12-29 21:32:18 · answer #6 · answered by ♥╒U ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋