Aquarium how much surface agitation

The surface tension of the water must be broken for sufficient gas exchange. Fortunately, creating surface agitation is easily done with aeration, or pumping air into the water so that it forms bubbles. The bubbles rise to the surface and burst, thus breaking the surface tension. This also creates water movement in the tank, in effect stirring the aquarium ever so slightly, so that all of the materials and compounds in the water -- both the beneficial ones and the harmful ones -- are evenly distributed throughout the tank.

One way of providing the necessary aeration in an aquarium is to use air stones connected to an air pump. The air stones can be made from wood or other highly porous materials. When air is forced in one end of the air stone by the pump, it is released as bubbles from the other end. Many filters, however, use air bubbles as a part of their design. As air bubbles move upward, their movement causes water to rise up with them, in effect creating a current that circulates all the water in the tank.

These air-lift filters use this technique to pull water through their filter media and thus clean the entire tank. Any filter that uses air bubbles to operate will provide the aeration, as long as the bubbles are driven with enough air to actually break the surface tension of the water.

I was just experimenting a bit before and noticed that even a slight increase of surface movement from what I normally have, causes a lot of CO2 to disappear. And how do you know so much? Seems you know everything from Chemistry to Biology in detail so well!! You must log in or register to reply here. Similar threads. Started by eminor Tuesday at PM Replies: Carbon Dioxide CO2. Why my tank need so much co2? Started by eminor 15 Mar Replies: 6. When is too much CO2, too much?

Started by LondonDragon 10 Dec Replies: 9. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…. Tuesday at PM. I'm here to teach you everything there is to know about fishkeeping. I also use this site as an excuse to spend lots of money on testing and reviewing different aquarium products!

You can find my reviews here. I find your dismissive regard for airstones to be bad advice. There are legitimate reasons for having airstones and a lot of fish enjoy the stream. If that was your takeaway from the article, then it would appear that you completely missed the point and have made yourself upset. I actually recommended bubblers, like airstones, as a way to provide water movement further down the guide.

I merely suggested that an airstone is unsuitable for fish like betta, which prefer calm water. I stand behind this statement. For my tank, however, I simply use extra plastic tubing from my canister filter to move the incoming water across the surface.

I have the tubing at the water surface. It creates beautiful ripples across the entire tank. The main thing is that the water surface is always moving, mixing with air. That sounds like a great idea. Less breakable than a lily pipe too. Sometimes DIY solutions really are the best! I now have an Eheim Classic , on my 40 G Breeder, and it is great. No noise, good surface current, and my tank has remained stable for weeks—with no water changes. It holds three young fantail goldfish puppies, and some plants.

I appreciate your article on surface agitation. Water ripples are necesary in tanks, as they are in nature. Corner flow, sump below and skimmer. I aimed one low and one at surface. However, after 2 years I view them as an annoyance.

I get my shimmer effect from my Kessil. My question. Is this.. Why point one at the surface? And acquiring a cylinder style powerhead and hide it in the corner for the water movement… Your opinion would be appreciated. This article was created with beginners in mind, those that just have an individual display tank. An open sump does indeed increase the amount of surface area that oxygen can be dissolved in.

In your case you could remove both, however, in the days following, I would be closely monitoring your tank, testing daily, just to see what the effect of removal is.

Hello, What about surface agitation in low tech tank tanks? It still gas offs the small amount of co2 or even increase the co2 level in tank? Welcome to the balancing act that is co2. It can take some trial and error, but you should eventually figure out the right amount for your tank so you are not ofgassing too much Co2.

Okay, so I understand the part of bettas hating water flow and plants needing minimal surface agitation to avoid CO2 gas-off. There is a difference between a slow moving current and massive churning surface agitation. The majority of your beneficial bacteria will sit in your filter anyway, filtering out ammonia and nitrite as water is drawn in over them.

Hi Ian, what an interesting article on removing surface oil! Right, down to the problem! Brilliant, buy the man a pint???????? I assume you are overseas because you have a Juwel Those are a great little kit. Have a pint for me! I have a sponge on the pump output to diffuse flow for the betta — no surface agitation. Even light bubbles from an airstone can provide enough agitation.

Look at the Zoo Med Nano 10 canister filter. I inherited a betta with this type of filter and he was only in a 2. It has the spray bar and you can direct it onto the wall of the tank placing the suction cups up high just below the rim of your tank.

OR you can not use the bar and attach this other piece that gently guides the output hose water with a small piece like the glass tube in the picture plastic not glass and smaller. They have a video on their site about it.

It has mechanical filter through a sponge, carbon option which I never use, and ceramic biological filter. Welcome back to the hobby. Fishkeeping is one of those interesting hobbies where it can get very expensive very quickly, but only if you choose to do so. Usually there is a cheaper option or a DIY way that works just as well.

As long as your tank is properly stocked, it will likely be more than enough agitation. Goldfish poop a lot. A canister filter or 2 will keep the tank clean. And with 2 you can have one output moving the surface water and the other output moving water around the lower parts of the tank.

We love it, love it, love it!!! The guy at the pet store who is very nice, says with our Cichlids, we need an Air stone. I have the air stone if I DO need it.