Air pump

[Rawdogz]

is it a good idea to have a airpump help put air back into the water?

[lunatik_69]

Nothing wrong with that, esp. if your fish are gasping for air. Luna

[Tangster]

I use a lagre Luft pump with 2 airlines into my sump . Why more do not apply thie I don't know ..

[omard]

Agree with tangster...

Simple, cheap insurance. One of easiest ways to get clearer water.

Would run in main tank, but salt creep becomes a real issue.

Also run in Nano...

[rayjay]

FWIW, many years ago during a gas exchange thread on RC, I took exception to the statement that aerating the tank water didn't greatly affect gas exchange.
I have 6 ft skimmers with 7" long, 2" square air stones with 7/8" diameter bores and there was no way anyone could convince me that I wasn't getting the best gas exchange with that volume of air.
I inquired as to what proof there was and was told to simply test the CO2 levels before and after using air line aeration, and comparing it with power head water movement.
I couldn't find a test kit anywhere so I ordered a LaMotte kit that cost an arm and a leg, which is typical of the hobby.
I then drained off 30 gallons and split it into 3 containers, one of which I aerated using a high volume air stone, and another aerated via a rigid air line with no stone. (due to another point brought up in the thread). The third container I used a power head to set the water surface in some turmoil.
Testing for CO2 was done before starting, and, at 1/2 hour intervals in each of the 3 containers.
Unfortunately, I don't have the figures available anymore, but there are probably similar proofs online somewhere.
Basically I found the powerhead reduced CO2 much faster than either of the air supplied containers did, and, the rigid container worked faster than the air stone container. (Before I began,I had tried to balance the air flow volume for the air supplied containers by letting the air displace the water in an inverted glass in a container of water, and timing how long it took.) In fact, the air containers never did catch up with the power head container in the hours I tested for. (I think it was four hours)
It was explained to me that the aeration was creating the turmoil at the surface, which allowed for the gas exchange and that the small airstone bubbles didn't cause as much turmoil as the larger bubbled rigid air line tube.
The power head did best because it was cause a greater turmoil at the surface than either of the air containers did.
Upon reflection, I then recalled that the turmoil variation was so, with the greatest being with the power head.
Unfortunately also, I have been unable to locate that thread by searching on RC.
If anyone can find it or find other facts similar I would be greatful for a link to them.
Thanks.

[nunch]

Originally Posted by Rawdogz

is it a good idea to have a airpump help put air back into the water?

Yes, but put it in sump like Tangster and Omard said. if you put in main tank it causes micro-bubbles which rub the fish and cause them to lose some of their protective slime coat.

[rayjay]

Perhaps you missed the point as I don't always find the right way to explain things.
For me, the point was that surface water movement was the effective tool for the water exchange, not the air supply that was added.
Turmoil at the waters surface be it tank or sump is what does the job and whatever is most efficient at causing that turmoil would in my opinion be the best choice to use.
Aeration does cause turmoil, but the smaller bubbles caused less. Personally I don't want anything adding more to the spray that is inherent to my sumps just due to the downflow of my 2" overflow pipes.

[paulg]

very nice..very nice

lots of good info