Does your pump output break the water's surface?

Mine doesn't but I've read that it will bring more oxygen into your tank.

What are the pros/cons of this?

 

One of mine does. I believe it helps. Although the thing which I feel brings the most Oxygen into my system is my overflow landing in the sump and my skimmer.

 

I was just reading how breaking the surface will actually lower nitrates by gassing them out into the air. I like the idea of this so I'll adjust mine when I get home. I guess the reason I don't have it breaking the water's surface now is due to the fact that it creates far too much shimmer effect...too fast. It doesn't look natural, like the ocean.

 

The surface of the tank is where most of the co2-o2 gas exchange occurs. It is best to break the surface to optomise gas exchange. It creates more surface area.

As for nitrate reduction, only if the nitrates have turned in to nitrogen.

 

Unless you have a sump - breaking the surface with water agitation is a MUST!!! It will ensure proper CO2 export and O2 import. This will help stabilize pH and keep the fish happily oxygenated. Also, this surface agitation will prevent the formation of "scum" layers on the surface.

I agree that the shimmer effect we see in most of our aquariums is much faster than what you experience in the real deal.

I believe that would have to do with the wave height, speed, frequency, etc. The waves in the ocean are typically larger, taller, and will create totally different refracting patterns on the ocean floor than your sand bed.

Just as long as you have an overflow style return (in tank or HOB) you will be skimming most of the surface scum and if you have a sump - you will have plenty of oxygenation in the water. That is why you can see some people have lids/covers on their tanks because their O2 exchange is occuring outside of the main DT.

 

Just to add that by that point, dissolved nitrogen isn't going to have any effect on your system anyway. It's pretty much inert when in that form.

 

Protein skimmers also help with the exchange of gasses.8)

 

And adequately enough to not have to worry about it.


Con: Splash = salt creep.

 

I have two output pipes. One for the 5 gallon HOB fuge which stores all my chaeto. The other for my HOB Skimmer.

Both break the water surface. I do this because neither of my three powerheads agitate the surface.


Pros: More gas exchange and surface agitation.
Cons: Bubbles, Splash & Salt Creep

 

I would make it break the surface. I added a powerhead pointed directly pointed at the surface and all the corals and fish seemed to perc up. I must have had low O2 or something. But it definately helped me.