Phishies Inn

Well right now I'm debating between 2 options for extra air in my tank.

If I have to I guess I'd just get a couple of bubble wands and make a bubble wall in the back of the tank.

On the other hand though, I was wondering if there was some way to basically attach a spraybar to some kind of water intake thing, a powerhead or something? I'm not using a cannister filter so that's out of the question.

Would the bubble wall be a better idea? If so could you all recommend some brand names for me to look at? Thanks.

Edit: Or as an easier option, does a powerhead work okay for some extra aeration (this is a freshwater tank btw)...do you think it would disturb the water too much?

Tavel

Bubble walls just look nice, they don't aerate much at all. You have to get the more expensive ceramic air diffusers. 2 or 3 for your tank should be fine.
(I'm tired of trying air pumps, I bought 3 brands in a row and all 3 were way too loud. Took them all back and I'm not looking to get into air features again.)

You can also get a powerhead with an aerator in it. I just got one and it seems to work very well (Eheim aquaball). They do swirl the water quite a bit though, so they're definitely a no go if you have still water fish (like most tetras or betas). I have all river fish though, and they love it. You can adjust the flow, but less flow means less aeration.

You can attach a spray bar to a pump, most pumps can accept 1/2" ID hose. This will also swirl the water a bit (less than a powerhead because it's spread out), but also provide less aeration depending on how you set it up. Get a pump that moves around 70-100gph...any bigger and you'll turn your tank into a whirlpool.

outlaw

I have a spray bar (canister filter) and a Power head in my tank to help prevent dead spots. and it isn't like a whirlpool.. I do have a lot of stone and decoration though to break it up a bit. I have Cichlids in the tank ranging in size from 2" up to 7"ish and they don't have any problems. Sry don't know much about the danios. I have a 46Gal with the powerhead rated for 250GPH. I point mine at the gravel, but you could just point it up towards the surface of the water to get it moving where most of the aeration will happen. Mine also has the piece for the air tube. either way, good luck.

Phishies Inn

Well I'm getting a loach tank and loaches like faster water...that and zebra danios as dither fish, and they're awfully lively. I don't think they'll mind. I just won't get too powerful of a powerhead...that seems to be my favorite option so far. Does the aquaball need a seperate air pump to be an aerator? I think the local Petsmart sells them so that's good, something I don't need to ship.

Tavel

the power head is probably the cheapest and best solution. The aquaball uses the venturi effect, so no air pump required. I like it because it comes with the intake strainer and looks nice. Plus you can adjust both the flow rate and the aeration, and you can position it however you want. but it doesn't oscillate like some other powerheads, which could be a deal breaker. I dunno.

BTW: canister filters with spray bars don't swirl the tank because you take 200gph, put a bunch of filter media in the way and lift it 5 feet and you're left with MAYBE half of the original output. Pumps and filters are always rated on their open flow rate (no filter media, no head weight). A pump with no filter media and no head weight will maintain most of its rated capacity, so you need a much smaller pump to achieve the same effect you would get from a canister filter.

outlaw

I was just talking about the combination, but even with the filter media, I could get the water to spray out almost a good foot or so. But either way, the powerhead I have doesn't have the flow control like the ehiem Tavel has, but it was a little cheaper. Just your average powerhead with the option for tubing and control valve for aeration. If you needed the extra filtration the canister wouldn't be bad though as it will aerate and filter... kind of a win win.. if looking to achieve both. Just my 2cents

Phishies Inn

Nah, filter wise I'm pretty good, I just want to have a nicely aerated tank I'm going to get an Aquaball off Amazon using one of those $25 giftcard things you get when you spend lots of money there lol. Thanks!

outlaw

Cool, Good Luck