educate me on bubbles

[cbock]

i'm trying to decide if i should add bubbles to my tank. will the fish really appreciate it? i know i don't like the look of bubbles. i don't want a bubble wand. but, if it's of true benefit the fish, i'll cave in and add bubbles. at an lfs, i saw a tank with bubbles that seemed to only come up every few seconds. this seemed ok with me. does this sound like it'd be enough to keep the fish happy?

if so, what do i need? an airstone? an air pump? something else? help.

 

[baotchi]

If you don't like the look of bubbles (i dont), don't go for it. All it does is create surface agitation, thus adding oxygen to the water. You can achieve the same result by orienting your filter's output so it creates some movement at the water surface. Some fish seem to like to play in the bubbles, but besides that... The amount of oxygen that is introduced in the water by the bubbles themself is minimal.

Simon

 

[cbock]

thanks simon. that's what i keep hearing. i already plan on adding a second filter to my tank. i know that will increase surface agitation. anybody know what fish like to play in the bubbles?

 

[Lotus]

I have bubbles in some of my tanks (at the back, low bubble rate) and find that fish initially seem to like playing in the bubbles, but after a few months stop doing it.

As long as your filter is creating enough surface movement, I wouldn't worry about it. Some of the tall tanks seem to have more problems with aeration than long tanks (like a 55g).

As baotchi says, if you don't like them, there's no need for them.

 

[cbock]

thanks lotus. i've ordered an aquaclear 300 to go along with my topfin 60. i should have plenty of surface agitation now.

 

[Desi]

sometimes all you need in a tall tank to add that extra agitation is power head. Just a couple of bucks.