Comments on: 9. Aeration

By: David Bogert

David Bogert — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:28:40 +0000

In reply to StephaneL ……….. Sorry, I’ve got no input on this question other than to say the literature that came with the pump should specify a minimum air flow IF THERE IS ONE.

By: StephaneL

StephaneL — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 22:02:29 +0000

Hello Dave, I recently got a high power air pump as a replacement for crappy pet store ones, and had heard that restriction of airflow can cause overheating and damage to the pump, it is metal so it has been getting very hot although this seems to be normal for the specific product. I don’t have it running at full force as I have it divided through several aquariums using a splitter, but I would assume that air flow would do little damage to the pump, and this is another case of misunderstanding physics but wanted to inquire. Do you know anything about this?

By: Ethan

Ethan — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 13:49:52 +0000

Can you aerate a tank too much? I have an air stone and a filter that pulls air in through a tube and also arates the water. This is all in a 20 gallon with Cherry Barbs, Cardinals, and Corys

By: Jordan P

Jordan P — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 08:36:28 +0000

Hi Dave, how good of a job if anything do the Venturi feature on small powerheads do of aeration? I run under gravel filters with powerheads but still run a wave maker and air stones as I can’t position the powerheads to create enough turbulence on the surface. I’ve never used the venturis that come with the powerheads but can easily add them if they’d be beneficial. The noise isn’t much of an issue.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:56:21 +0000

In reply to Jaume. In reply to Jaume .... Just try different things and pick the one that works the best. I suspect a fan will be more than adequate.

By: Jaume

Jaume — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:33:09 +0000

Apologies in advance for many comments and questions over a short timespan, as a begginer, while absorbing much information, doubts arise.

As mentioned before I have a +-37l aquarium with three plants, two female platys that I plan to increase two six, and an Eheim 150 canister filter with wool and ceramic rings that I plan to replace with k1. The output of the filter has a spray bar (default for the filter). This spray bar does NOT seem to produce much turbulence on the surface.

First I would like to understand if I need more aeration (particularly when adding up to six fish total), as there does not seem to be a ‘testing method’ described in your articles, other than looking at fish (fish seem ok for now). I should mention that in summer temps may go up to 29 even. (right now, a fan keeps it at 26-27º with room temp being at 29-30º, no a/c).

Secondly, I want to understand which method should I choose, considering that I value silence over almost anything else, as the aquarium is pretty close to a bedroom. Should a powerhead inside the aquarium pointed at the surface do the trick?

Thanks for your help in advance, and apologies again for the comment spree.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 03:32:01 +0000

In reply to Tom. In reply to Tom .... I have had many heavily stocked tanks with relatively sealed tank top and no air bubblers. I've never seen a problem.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 02:38:28 +0000

Can a glass tank lid suffocate the fish in a tank? I am about to switch my UGF from using air stones to power heads. The lid has maybe 1/2 square inch of openings from various holes and gaps, but otherwise encloses the tank (I once had a fish jump through the small gap between a canopy and a HOB). The lid is 1 inch above the water surface. The current air stones bring in fresh air from outside the tank. With only power heads, I can adjust the surface agitation, but it seems like the air between the waterline and the lid would get stale and depleted of oxygen. Am I worrying about nothing, or is this a legitimate concern?

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 12 Nov 2023 06:20:03 +0000

In reply to Jack. In reply to Jack ... You will get air bubbles in canisters and air bubbles on algae walls with any properly aerated tank.

By: Jack

Jack — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 23:22:26 +0000

Hi Dave,
Have you ever had an issue with ‘too much’ aeration? If there could be such a thing… I have a canister running an outlet pointing up at the surface and a wavemaker running from the opposite side of the tank creating a lot of turbulence. I’m finding the canister is filling with air which I have to ‘shake out’ and air bubbles form on the algae wall at the back of my aquarium.