Surface agitation is the key 100% I don't use an airstone these days, no need at all in my 400L tank, I just have an FX6 with the outlet aimed at the surface, loads of surface agitation, never ever had a problem with oxygen and one of my fish is 28 years old so I think that says it all.
Air stones are useless themselves, Unless used to reduce the size of the bubbles of a sponge filter. Many ways to agitate the surface. Air pump should be used only to operate the filters not great for agitation tho.
You still need to run it during the night. Your plants consume oxygen during the dark period of your tank (lights off) plus your carbonic acid index will go up which will cause Ph swings.
That's true, if there is no other form of surface agitation. I had strong flow from external on that tank, which supplied more oxygen than any air stone could.
I didn't need an air pump untill today... my hob filter was doing a descent job. But today there was a bacteria bloom. I guess it was because of that, but all the fishes were either on top or under the filter... so I went and bought an air pump
@@tropicalfishhub I am new to fish keeping... I was trying to do a fish in cycle... (because I bought the fish before the tank) The filter is fine I guess, from what I rescently learnt it's part of the cycling process. But 2 guppies died so far... 😢 ... I should have researched before buying the fishes. I just bought the fishes first to see whether my cats can behave if i invest.
I am cycling a 450L tank in order to get discus fishes and I have 2 air stones but it's making the PH to rise at 8. Do you think it is a problem ? My GH is at around 7 and KH 3 to 4. So to PH is up only because of the high Oxygen, maybe once there will be 9 discus in there it might drop since they will breath a lot ? I really struggle with this and I am even looking at PH controller with CO2 injection system which seems expensive and I have a hard time finding if it will help or not.
I would leave just one airstone, you don't really need that much oxygen when cycling. It's normal for pH to jump during cycling, it should stabilise in a week or two, water changes should help. Adding CO2 won't help at all, it might actually harm your fish unless you have lots of established plants to consume all that CO2.
You do need surface agitation in your planted tanks too, Reasons: 1. Plants provide O2 only when they're provided light, Ofc at night they produce Co2. 2. When there's a lot of Co2 in the tank, You needa get it out, How's that done? SURFACE AGITATION. 3. Not only at night, During the day too, Fish breath out Co2 so agitate the surface to remove that and get some O2. YOU NEED AGITATION IN YOUR TANKKKKKKKKK. No, An airstone isn't the only way to do so. Not worth arguing about not having surface agitation.
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Thank you for the explanation! This really shows when to use one and when you don't need one.
Thank you. I'm glad it is useful
Surface agitation is the key 100% I don't use an airstone these days, no need at all in my 400L tank, I just have an FX6 with the outlet aimed at the surface, loads of surface agitation, never ever had a problem with oxygen and one of my fish is 28 years old so I think that says it all.
Great presentation. Thank you for your time sir
Needed information..Thank you my friend..
Air stones are useless themselves, Unless used to reduce the size of the bubbles of a sponge filter. Many ways to agitate the surface. Air pump should be used only to operate the filters not great for agitation tho.
Absolutely agreed!
You still need to run it during the night. Your plants consume oxygen during the dark period of your tank (lights off) plus your carbonic acid index will go up which will cause Ph swings.
That's true, if there is no other form of surface agitation. I had strong flow from external on that tank, which supplied more oxygen than any air stone could.
I didn't need an air pump untill today... my hob filter was doing a descent job. But today there was a bacteria bloom. I guess it was because of that, but all the fishes were either on top or under the filter... so I went and bought an air pump
Probably the bloom happened because the filter is gone. Certainly air stone makes sense in that case!
@@tropicalfishhub
I am new to fish keeping...
I was trying to do a fish in cycle... (because I bought the fish before the tank)
The filter is fine I guess, from what I rescently learnt it's part of the cycling process.
But 2 guppies died so far... 😢 ... I should have researched before buying the fishes. I just bought the fishes first to see whether my cats can behave if i invest.
What are those giant floating plants you have?
Amazon frogbit
I am cycling a 450L tank in order to get discus fishes and I have 2 air stones but it's making the PH to rise at 8. Do you think it is a problem ? My GH is at around 7 and KH 3 to 4. So to PH is up only because of the high Oxygen, maybe once there will be 9 discus in there it might drop since they will breath a lot ? I really struggle with this and I am even looking at PH controller with CO2 injection system which seems expensive and I have a hard time finding if it will help or not.
I would leave just one airstone, you don't really need that much oxygen when cycling. It's normal for pH to jump during cycling, it should stabilise in a week or two, water changes should help. Adding CO2 won't help at all, it might actually harm your fish unless you have lots of established plants to consume all that CO2.
@@tropicalfishhub Thank you, that helped. I ll just wait before waisting money. Anyway I am not planning on adding the discus before 6 months.
great video, But you forgot to add that all them plants create oxygen for your tank also. You never need air stones in planted tanks.
You are absolutely right!
You do need surface agitation in your planted tanks too, Reasons:
1. Plants provide O2 only when they're provided light, Ofc at night they produce Co2.
2. When there's a lot of Co2 in the tank, You needa get it out, How's that done? SURFACE AGITATION.
3. Not only at night, During the day too, Fish breath out Co2 so agitate the surface to remove that and get some O2.
YOU NEED AGITATION IN YOUR TANKKKKKKKKK. No, An airstone isn't the only way to do so. Not worth arguing about not having surface agitation.
Airstones raise my PH too high.
Yes you need one not for bettas
You still need surface agitation for Betta (weakest flow) 😐