Got Oxygen?

rastafish

rastafish

Member
Sorry for the newb question but, how does the water get oxygen if there is no underwater air pump? does it get it from the filter or skimmer???
i got a ten gallon tank and i was just wondering because im cycling it right now but i know that the bacteria that needs to be created also needs oxygen so that made me wonder.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Oxygen is put into the water via a gas exchange at the waters surface. The surface of salt water must be broken for oxygen to get into the tank. Air pumps push up. That will do nothing. Do you have a HOB filter on the ten? The flow from it breaks the surface, then you use a power head to distribute the oxygen throughout the tank. Salt water is very dense. If you do not use a power head then the oxygen will flow right back to the top.
 
T

tizzo

Guest
freshwater do the air pump thing.
For a saltwater tank, oxygen is literally absorbed through the water's surface and only penetrates about 1/2 inch. You oxygenate 2 ways...
1, you have serious flow throughout your tank. You want that top 1/2 inch to constantly be stirred throughout the tank and
2. Surface agitation. That actually makes your surface area larger, thus resulting in more oxygen.
good?
 
rastafish

rastafish

Member
yeah i got HOB filter and a power head. so that should be ok right? im probably gonna get a smaller powerhead cuz the one i have is to strong and it blows the sand in different directions leaving large holes in the sand bed.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by rastafish
http:///forum/post/2664544
yeah i got HOB filter and a power head. so that should be ok right? im probably gonna get a smaller powerhead cuz the one i have is to strong and it blows the sand in different directions leaving large holes in the sand bed.
Don't have it pointed at the sand. If you only have one powerhead then have it above the sand line. It is best to have two. One on one end of the tank ad one on the other. Cross flow is best. The HOB breaks the surface. You have to move that oxygen throughout the tank.
Tizz and I were separated at birth
 
rastafish

rastafish

Member
its not that i point it at the sand, its actually pointing upwards but i guess its to powerful for my small tank cuz the flow bounces off the aquarium glass and downward towards the sand therefore creating holes on the sand.
 
T

tizzo

Guest
Well a 20X turnover isn't at all uncommon. Maybe since it's coming from one source, your having probs.
Maxijet sells minijets, you may wanna look at. Plus they are small and can hide easily.
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2664642
Well a 20X turnover isn't at all uncommon. Maybe since it's coming from one source, your having probs.
Maxijet sells minijets, you may wanna look at. Plus they are small and can hide easily.
That is what I am thinking here. Two small PH's would be better.
 
T

tizzo

Guest
I almost jokingly asked if you had a maxijet 1200 in a 10 gallon tank, but then I deleted it, half anticipating this, lol
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2664647
I almost jokingly asked if you had a maxijet 1200 in a 10 gallon tank, but then I deleted it, half anticipating this, lol
I have had people use that in a QT. Not even kidding. It worked out. The fish were not blown around. I use a 900 in my 15 long.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Not doubting the experts in comparison to me, but to what degree do you need to agitate the surface? I have some fairly strong air pumps on my tanks....and to a degree they do agitate the surface...wouldn't even one bubble agitate or break the surface as it pops, this is afterall what would create the spray. Just a wee bit confused on this topic...and if this is not enough agitation how is a protein skimmer more advantageous?
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
Originally Posted by usirchchris
http:///forum/post/2664747
Not doubting the experts in comparison to me, but to what degree do you need to agitate the surface? I have some fairly strong air pumps on my tanks....and to a degree they do agitate the surface...wouldn't even one bubble agitate or break the surface as it pops, this is afterall what would create the spray. Just a wee bit confused on this topic...and if this is not enough agitation how is a protein skimmer more advantageous?
A protein skimmer is a pump that actually has a function. It spins or blows in a circular motion, in the reaction chamber. The skimmate is lifted and the whirl wind is put back into the tank. That whirlwind of water is oxygenated as it spins. It adds oxygen back into the tank.
Air pumps add bubbles to the tank. The bubbles go straight up. Surely you have seen this. The bubble breaks at the surface in an upward motion, causing the spray. The surface is broken but it stays at the top. Again, SW is very dense. Oxygen is lighter than the water. What good does it do to have bubbles at the top? Power heads break the surface and distribute the oxygen throughout the tank. It pushes the water to circulate it.
 
U

usirchchris

Guest
Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/2664754
A protein skimmer is a pump that actually has a function. It spins or blows in a circular motion, in the reaction chamber. The skimmate is lifted and the whirl wind is put back into the tank. That whirlwind of water is oxygenated as it spins. It adds oxygen back into the tank.
Air pumps add bubbles to the tank. The bubbles go straight up. Surely you have seen this. The bubble breaks at the surface in an upward motion, causing the spray. The surface is broken but it stays at the top. Again, SW is very dense. Oxygen is lighter than the water. What good does it do to have bubbles at the top? Power heads break the surface and distribute the oxygen throughout the tank. It pushes the water to circulate it.
I realize a protein skimmer has a function, I was merely speaking in terms of oxygination. Even if a protein skimmer does spin the bubble...the bubble still travels to the top and then breaks. You may have finer bubbles but the end result is the same regardless of travel is it not? or am I missing something? Is there a difference of vertical or horizontal agitation?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top