All fish need dissolved oxygen in the water to survive. However many people overestimate the amount of oxygen required. Anyone who has visited our shop will notice the absence of streams of bubbles rising up from air stones in any of our aquariums. The reason for this? In most cases additional aeration is not necessary in an aquarium with good filtration & water quality. Provided there is sufficient water circulation at the surface this will provide good gaseous exchange. With the efficient filtration systems available today additional aeration, with an air pump is not normally necessary, but can be helpful in the following instances.

• During warm weather. As the water temperature rises it holds less dissolved oxygen.

• In a heavily stocked aquarium.

• When medicating. Many medications reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen.

• To power filtration systems or protein skimmers.

• Gentle aeration may also help remove surface film.

A stream of bubbles rising in the aquarium does have a relaxing effect (on humans) but does little to improve the conditions for the livestock, except in the above circumstances. Any additional aeration will make success with plants almost impossible as it will remove the carbon dioxide they require.

Below is a table showing the amount of air required for different aeration devices.

Getting the best from your air pump

• Remember to use a non return if the air pump is situated below the water level. Failure to do so could syphon the water from your aquarium should there be a power failure.

• Place the pump on a solid surface this will reduce the amount of noise produced by the pump.

• Air pumps work by having a rubber diaphragm that vibrates 50 times a second to produce a steady stream of air. Not surprisingly these diaphragms may need replacing every year or so. If you notice a reduction in the pressure produced by your pump the most likely cause is a split diaphragm.

• All air pumps have an air filter that stops dust & debris being sucked in. Change these every 3-6 months to stop the inner workings becoming clogged.

• Change air stones every 1-3 months, especially if you live in a hard water area. Clogged air stones put back pressure on the pump and shorten it's life 

At The WaterZoo we stock air pumps manufactured by Interpet, Hydor & Aquarium Systems. We also carry most spares in stock for these ranges of pump.