does a canister filter aerate the water???

integral9

Member
I would say no since it doesn't blow any air into the water like a skimmer does. Also, I don't believe the chemicals in the canisters produce oxygen with their reactions.... maybe N2O or N2, but that's not breathable...
 

squidd

Active Member
No...In fact they are an oxygen "draw" on water column as the bacteria in them are aerobic and use oxygen up to survive...
Skimmer on the other hand is a good oxygenator to water column.
More important than "bubbles" is the disturbance of the upper layer of water in the tank...point a power head "up" so it disturbs surface tension promoting gaseous exchange
 

saltfan

Active Member
Not if you are re-circulating the water under water and not breaking the surface. In order for you to gain any kind of O2 from a canister, it must return on the surface and go across it, not under it. Canisters build up some nasty stuff in them if you do not clean them out at least once a week.
 
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