Filtration Vs Air

[polar]

Hi again,


If im running a cannister filter that is doing 1200 litres per hour (with media) in a 210 litre tank, do i need to also head down the air stone path or will the spray bar return do enough breaking of the water to provide sufficient airation?



Thanks again, you guys are a well of knowledge!!

[GoGuppy]

Hi again,

If im running a cannister filter that is doing 1200 litres per hour (with media) in a 210 litre tank, do i need to also head down the air stone path or will the spray bar return do enough breaking of the water to provide sufficient airation?

Thanks again, you guys are a well of knowledge!![/b]


Hi Polar

It depends to a degree on the type and stocking level of fish you're keeping, but it's the water to air interface that provides the aeration of the tank and as long as you have a rippling effect, ie visible movement of water at the surface you should be OK.

If you keep a high stocking level in the tank, than more agitation (breaking of the water surface) may provide the increased aeration required.

Cheers

[polar]

Hi Polar

It depends to a degree on the type and stocking level of fish you're keeping, but it's the water to air interface that provides the aeration of the tank and as long as you have a rippling effect, ie visible movement of water at the surface you should be OK.

If you keep a high stocking level in the tank, than more agitation (breaking of the water surface) may provide the increased aeration required.

Cheers[/b]


Thanks for that, by breaking the surface would that mean i could position the spray bar to do this and that would be sufficient with a higher stocked tank? or would i then include the airstone

thanks again

[GoGuppy]

Thanks for that, by breaking the surface would that mean i could position the spray bar to do this and that would be sufficient with a higher stocked tank? or would i then include the airstone

thanks again[/b]

No worries. The air bubbles from the airstone do not add oxygen to the tank water, it's the disturbance the bubbles cause at the water surface that aerates the water. Given a roughly 6 to 1 circulation ratio from the cannister filter (1200 l/hr divided by 210 ltrs), that should be adequate for aeration and an airstone is not necessary. Personally, I would place the spray bar just below the water surface and this should cause enough turbulence at the water surface, even without spraying onto the water. It's much quieter too, but if you prefer the sound of water, then you could place the spraybar above the water surface, either way should work fine.

Removing the airstone and pump should make the overall system a bit quieter as well :biggrin: .

Cheers

[joz]

I'd agree with GG,no need for an airstone.


But it may come down to how noisey the tank may get,
more aeration = more noise from water movement.

[PeteFromTassie]

Personally I think airstones are tacky and rank... (Opinionated I know!)

The spraybar should do a fantastic job in a tank that size, as said above! I'd put it under the surface of the water, but direct the jets slightly upward so you create some good surface tension disturbance while keeping it quiet. (Pretty much go with what everyone else said! :-))

Cheers,
Pete.

[polar]

Thanks heaps for all your help guys, I was hoping this would be the case as i really dont like airstones.