Tank aeration -- where from?

[Charles Gillen]

Newbie Question: Does aquarium aeraton come only from the rising STREAM of
bubbles from a pump's air stone, or from the ripple effect of those bubbles
agitating the water surface?

Background: 2-gallon Marineland Eclipse Explorer tank populated by a few
tiny White Clouds and three frill plants. When I reduce the water level
about one inch, the "waterfall" output from the top filter seems to agitate
the water surface quite nicely to promote aeration. I had added a small
Teratec pump and air stone, but the pump noise is an irritation I would
like to dispense with, if feasible. Without it, the Eclipse Explorer tank
is virtually silent and perhaps the three plants will oxygenate adequately.
I'd prefer to have a simple, more natural tank if possible.

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[E.Otter]

Most but not all of the aeration will come from the bubbles agitating the
water surface. Better quality pumps are quieter. I have a Rena and I can
barely hear it if I turn off my filters and the room is really quiet and I
can't hear it at all over the waterfall noise that my filters make.

Once you add real plants you should probably get rid of the airstone. The
airstone bubbles will increase CO2 loss from the water and CO2 is one of the
things plants need to grow.

In either situation (plants or no plants), the water level should be an inch
or more below the filter to allow the water coming out of the filter to make
enough splash. Its noiser (my wife routinely complains about my tank's
waterfall noise), but it improves the O2 in the water.

E.Otter
Go BoSox!

"Charles Gillen" > wrote in message
...
Newbie Question: Does aquarium aeraton come only from the rising STREAM of
bubbles from a pump's air stone, or from the ripple effect of those bubbles
agitating the water surface?

Background: 2-gallon Marineland Eclipse Explorer tank populated by a few
tiny White Clouds and three frill plants. When I reduce the water level
about one inch, the "waterfall" output from the top filter seems to agitate
the water surface quite nicely to promote aeration. I had added a small
Teratec pump and air stone, but the pump noise is an irritation I would
like to dispense with, if feasible. Without it, the Eclipse Explorer tank
is virtually silent and perhaps the three plants will oxygenate adequately.
I'd prefer to have a simple, more natural tank if possible.

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[Charles Gillen]

"E.Otter" > wrote:

> Most but not all of the aeration will come from the bubbles agitating
> the water surface. Better quality pumps are quieter.

Thanks for a response which was right on target. The pump was the smallest
Tetratec, far noiser than the larger Tetratec I use with my other 10-gal
tank (which has only plastic plants).

> In either situation (plants or no plants), the water level should be an
> inch or more below the filter to allow the water coming out of the filter
> to make enough splash.

The splash in the 2-gal tank is very silent, but I wouldn't mind splash
noise... in fact I keep a decorative fountain in the living room just to
hear the soothing water sounds :^)

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[Graham Ramsay]

"Charles Gillen" wrote
> Newbie Question: Does aquarium aeraton come only from the rising STREAM of
> bubbles from a pump's air stone, or from the ripple effect of those bubbles
> agitating the water surface?

The main function of the rising stream of bubbles is that of
circulation, the stratified CO2 in the lower part of the tank being
brought to the surface and the oxygenated water being moved
to the lower part.
It also helps in breaking up any surface scum which may form.

--
Graham Ramsay
You might be a Bright:
www.the-brights.net

[AQUATIC-STORE.COM]

The actualy air is brought into the water from the surface agitation
and not the actual bubbles .

Marcus

http://www.aquatic-store.com/

Co2 tanks on sale
Power compact bulbs and MH the lowest on the net
Eheim PRO II 2026 $143
Co2 regulator and bubble counter with needle valve $75
FORUM

http://aquatic.yupapa.com/phpbb/index.php


On 6 Oct 2003 20:25:12 -0400, Charles Gillen >
wrote:

>Newbie Question: Does aquarium aeraton come only from the rising STREAM of
>bubbles from a pump's air stone, or from the ripple effect of those bubbles
>agitating the water surface?
>
>Background: 2-gallon Marineland Eclipse Explorer tank populated by a few
>tiny White Clouds and three frill plants. When I reduce the water level
>about one inch, the "waterfall" output from the top filter seems to agitate
>the water surface quite nicely to promote aeration. I had added a small
>Teratec pump and air stone, but the pump noise is an irritation I would
>like to dispense with, if feasible. Without it, the Eclipse Explorer tank
>is virtually silent and perhaps the three plants will oxygenate adequately.
>I'd prefer to have a simple, more natural tank if possible.