Aeration?

[tyrfing]

Should I be aerating my tank at all? I have a 75 gallon with 60 lbs of live rock and 60 of live sand. Protein skimmer and a couple powerheads. Huge cleaning crew (turbo snails & both red & blue hermits), banded shrimp, 2 cleaners, 1 peppermint. A nice colt coral, 2 fairly large sea fans, 2 saucer sized anenomes, a plate coral, 2 2.5 inch perculas, 2 2.5 inch yellowtail damsels, a small 1.5 inch Russell's lion that will be transferred into a recently started tank and a 6 inch antennata lion.
The water seems a bit cloudy, but I can't tell if it's due to aeration or anthing else. Right now everything is neutral (ammonia, nitrates etc.) with the pH right at 8.4 and holding, though the Alkalinity is a bit high.
Should I not be aerating this bad boy?

 

[fred the fish guy]

Well based on you having powerheads and a protein skimmer you shouldnt have to . With good water movement and good circulation you will be fine. You should really only be concerned if you dont have much movement(standing water is bad).Also a good protein skimmer will do most of your aeration. If you have sick fish that are breathing heavy you can attach tubing to your powerheads and aerate. But I think your tank will do fine without aeration at all.

 

[tyrfing]

Thanks Fred The Fish Guy! Pulled the aerator hose and the water is crystal! Looks like everyone is floating in air it's so clear! Thanks!

 

[fred the fish guy]

Hey no problem. Actually I had the same problem when I first started my tank. I guess I was used to fresh water and I had always aerated it so I did the same with my saltwater. I soon realized that all it was good for was making bubbles stick to rocks and making the water cloudy. Atleast you took care of it soon. I had aerated mine for months before I realized I wasnt helping anything breathe better. Lol

 

[nosmada]

i would personally aim one of your powerheads across the top of your water and create a nice rippeling affect. this would do you the best to aerate your tank.
just my .02
chris

 

[wallda]

I heard that arrating saltwater can actually cause problems with shrimp, is this true?