HELP - Confused? air pump/filters

[rebecca]

I know this may be a dumb question but whats the difference between an air pump and a filter?

Went to pet store today and got everything to set up tank for the axie when we get him in a few weeks but i wanna make sure i don't forget anything
we got a filter but i just read something about an air pump -- are they different or one in the same?

 

[kapo]

An air pump is a pump that sits outside the tank pumping air into the tank via a plastic/silicone airline and airstone. (If you look in the petshop and see the bubbles coming up thru the gravel of the fishtanks that is an airstone connected to airpump.)

A filter basically filters the water and can aerate the water as well. Do you have an internal, external or waterfall type (hangs over the back of the tankglass and has a waterfall effect). Does your filter have an knob/dial so you can adjust the flow of the filter? Axies get stressed if there's too much waterflow.

If you can, try and set your tank up now so it starts cycling rather than wait till you get your child's axie, it will make things easier.

see: http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/cyclingEDK.shtml

Also, not sure about chillers, maybe ask in a separate thread "who can recommend a good chiller?"

 

[rebecca]

Thanks Heaps!
The filter is internal and has like 8 different attachments to adjust the water flow so i think i can find one it will like.
I'll pick up an air pump then as well when i get the tank stand -- is 2 weeks sufficiant time to cycle the tank?
thanks again for your help -- i really don't wanna mess this up

 

[kapo]

Does your filter have a little spray bar attachment (plastic tubes that you stick together and fit onto part of the filter - not exactly the greatest description!), just wondering if that is what you mean by different attachments.

You can use the airpump and an airstone at the opposite end of the tank, airstones cost about 75=95c here for a basic small one and silicon clear or coloured tubing about $1 a meter (may be less over there).

What size tank do you have?

Two weeks isn't enuf time to cycle the tank. It can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. And as we're heading into summer, no doubt you're starting to get some warmer weather, might be better if you wait till it's cycled.

For cycling, if you don't yet have any, buy freshwater test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You can buy them separately for approx $15 ea (may be less in Oz) or about $50-75 for a full kit "Freshwater Master test kit" that tests ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, low ph, high range ph. The most important things to monitor while your tank is cycling is ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Apart from a dechlorinator, water ager or water conditioner you do not need any other chemicals for your tank (ie: no ammolock, no ph up or ph downs or so called bacteria boosters).

Have you seen this site: www.axolotl.org

Also, what substrate will be used for the tank? Try not to use gravel as it can cause blockages and other problems and takes months to come out if they manage to poo it out. You could always have a bare tank floor, sand (which can be purchased cheaper at Bunnings or other type hardware/landscaping store)or large pieces of slate or rock.

And I don't think you'll mess up! At least you're researching before you get your daughter's axie.

 

[rebecca]

thanks you guys have been extrememly helpful and totally awsome - really!!!
the filter has different plastic things that attach on to it (my descriptive skill are great too) so it can flow like in different directions or blow bubbles or at different speeds
the man we are getting our axie of keeps his own for pets as well as runs the aquarium so all the stuff he uses at home he is helping us with
the gravel we got it pebble gravel (about 2cm)so its bigger so it can't be swallowed but still easy for her to clean
also got the test kit for the water and he is willing to test a sample for us also (so not to much shock going from his tank to ours)
well definately be waiting longer for the tank to cycle!
our mission for today is to get the air stone and pump and go to the plumbing supply store to get pipe and slate tile to make it a place to hide
the tank is 2ft by 1 ft by 1 ft or 60cmlong by 30 high and 30 wide
we got it its own fridge yesterday (in case) and fan even though our house is airconditioned
and thermometer
only have declorinator nothing else i don't want to poison it
i am so greatfull for all you guys help and the website you recommended is excellent i copied everything and made her a folder she can look up anytime, this is the first time in 4 years she has wanted a pet -- her biological dad killed her pet bird when she was one and she's never got over it(it was really special she taught it to talk as she learnt words and it would follow her around the house), needless to say there are only animal lovers in our house now....but thats why its so important to me
thanks again

(Message edited by pixie_gal83 on October 23, 2006)

 

[kapo]

I'm sure you will ALL enjoy your daughter's axie once it arrives. I was the sceptical one over a year ago about getting axies, and now 10 axies later, feels like we've had them forever! My kids love showing off their "individual" axies to their friends and cousins; who all seem to get great enjoyment from rummaging thru the wormfarm with my kids (much to their parent's dismay)!

 

[ben]

Woah.. I have an undergrabel air thingy, there is a pump thing outside, which is connected to a pipe that goes below the stones, and then the air comes back up from a different pipe and comes out near the top of the tank? After you saying airstone i dunno if ve set it up right now...... my filter also has a snorkel thing coming off it, what do i do with it?

 

[kapo]

By undergravel air thingy, do you mean an airstone that goes under the gravel that's connected by a plastic tube to a pump on the outside and the bubbles rise from the gravel?

Some filters do have a part where you can connect the pump and an airline/plastic tube to so it provides extra aeration (similar to the airstone I spose). Is that what you mean, we have it on our filters but we prefer to use airstones at the opposite end of the tank.

As we have sand, in one tank we have a starshaped airstone sort of hanging/sitting on the sand (the axies usually sit around it or lean against it); the other tanks we've put a little suction cup on the glass to hold the airline tube and airstone against the glass but about an inch or so above the sand.

 

[ben]

No, there is a big piece of plastic that goes the length of the tank, but a bit raised, and then the stones are on top. the air pump thing pumps air under the stones, and comes back thru a pipe and bubbles come out near the top

 

[jennifer]

I know what you are describing, Ben. You do not need an airstone with that kind of undergravel filter. I don't know what you mean by a "snorkel thing", you'd have to show a picture.

 

[ben]

www.geocities.com/mrhat60/IMG_2396.jpg

(the pebbles arent in anymore)

As you can see on the weipro filter just before the nozzle there is a white pipe, the other end is hanging over the tank

 

[ben]

Got any ideas?

 

[jennifer]

Actually, that arrangement is something I've never seen before, Ben! I'm completely confused.

If the pebbles are gone, then you can't have a functional undergravel filter system, that is for sure. Is the bottom of the tank bare, or do you have a plastic "plate" across the bottom of the tank? (An undergravel system normally has a plastic plate under the gravel.)

I assume that the white tube is where the bubbles come from the air pump?

 

[ben]

I have big stones on their now, should i get rid of the under gravel thing then?

Theres 2 pumps, the one thats submerged (the weipro) and one outside the tank that is doing the bubbles. the one outside pumps air underneath the gravel filter and then it comes back up again, you can see it in the background of the pic.... what i wanna kno is what the snorkel is for on the weipro filter... just before the exit hole there is a white pipe that comes up, and hangs over the tank.....

 

[ben]

Now i have big bulky stones, can somone PLEASE tell me the filters pumps and air pumps i SHOULD have... money isnt the issue. really pissed off with the market fish shop now...

 

[jennifer]

I think that the snorkel tube is another way to let air in, but I'm not sure. You need to go to the place where you bought this apparatus and ask them to help make sure you have everything working right.

 

[peter]

they are both there for circulatory system. the force of the water coming from the main outlet pipe causes a suction which then sucks the waste up to be mixed and the air from the air pipe down to be mixed with the out flowing water.