Aeration?

[Attenborough]

So recently I was told to lose my filter to reduce current, but what about my aerator? It causes most of the current in my tank. I know my notos don't need it to breath but I need it for my biological filter right? Sorry, I'm a newbie.

 

[kay]

It is my understanding, and I hope one of the experts will correct me if I'm wrong, but for species that live in slow, or still waters, they require little to no current.

As long as you have cycled your tank properly, clean up uneaten food, and do regular maintanace work, you should be fine without the filter.

And I'm not too sure what you mean by your biological filter needs it. You have taken out the filter, so why would you keep the aerator? It's not crucial for you to have it in there. Usually, when keeping live plants however, then you will need the water to be highly oxygenated.

Either way, like I said, if I'm wrong someone will step in and correct any misleadings. As for now, my advice to you is follow what advice you have already been given. If they told you to reduce the current... than do so. Which, from the sounds of it, means taking out the aerator too.

Good luck.

 

[evut]

Ok, I'm no expert either but without any sort of movement, I get an ugly film on the water so I run a sponge filter and an airstone in both of my large tanks - they don't create a current, just a gentle movement. You can adjust the airflow so that your airstone doesn't bubble too much. Some of my newts actually enjoy the airstone - as a sort of underwater spa, putting their bums in the way of the bubbles :happy:

 

[kay]

Eva, I would have to agree with you on the part of a film on the top of the water. Mine get like that sometimes. Is that bad though?

I persally use internal filters, either the waterfall type, or completely submerged. They seem to work great for me.

I suppose my point in my first post was simply that if some device in his tank is creating too much current, then remove it, because at the end of the day, your tank doesnt neccessarily need aeration.

Just my thoughts of course.

Quick question, why do you use a airstone? Im curious, does it simply keep the water from becoming stagnant?

 

[Azhael]

The airstone is benefitial not only because it moves the surface but also because it increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. The oxygen is necessary because the bacteria that process ammonia and nitrites are aerobic and requiere it for their metabolism.
The problem is that while some newts tolerate or even appear to apreciate a small current, others will be stressed by it. In order to eliminate the possibility, when it comes to still water species, it´s easier to just avoid any current at all, because it can work just as well or arguably better, anyway.

The solution for a current-free but healthy tank lies with live plants. They absorb compounds from the water themselves but also oxygenate the water efficiently and provide a large surface area which allows for a very healthy bacterial colony.

The film in the surface is annoying but not necessarily a problem. It´s more of a symptom. It´s an accumulation of waste products from the metabolization of proteins, and as such it reflects the ammount of organic matter (uneaten foods, feces, dead plants, etc.) that exists in the water. It can be controlled and reduced by being a bit more careful in removing waste and increasing the frequency of water changes.You can remove the existing layer by placing kitchen paper on the surface and removing it fast, but it will accumulate again eventually.

 

[kay]

The airstone is benefitial not only because it moves the surface but also because it increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. The oxygen is necessary because the bacteria that process ammonia and nitrites are aerobic and requiere it for their metabolism.

And now I know; thank you Rodrigo for answering my question. :happy:

I was never too sure why some people would opt for one instead of a filter.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

It depends on your local water chemistry. Back in the old days in California, I swore by sponge filters as I could kill two birds with one stone. They have much stricter water standards in San Diego than Omaha.

Here in Nebraska, they foul far too quickly due to a high level of diatoms (what is often referred to in the aquarium hobby as brown algae) in the local water supply. I have been forced to utilize air stones an a homemade baffle riser system to circulate water, add oxygen, and still keep the current minimal.