Air Pumps

[sarah taylor]

Can anyone advise if it's ok to have a small air stone pump in saltwater marine tank 200ltr. It's seemed as though oxygen levels drop a little from time to time and when putting air pump in every occupant seems to love it and be full of it.. max energy so felt it may need this all the time but not sure this is ok??

[nereefpat]

They just cause a salt creep/splatter issue.

I use one for quarantine tanks.

A powerhead pointing at the surface works better for display tanks.

[mcgyvr]

Yep.. an air stone is fine and there is really no harm in using one for the most part

A powerhead creating some turbulence at the surface of the water is better though..
In general you should always have a powerhead in a saltwater tank typically sized at about 20-30 times the display tank size in gallons per hour as a minimum..
So a 20G tank would require at least a 400-600GPH (gallons per hour) powerhead..

[sarah taylor]

Thanks all for the advice most appreciated xx

[sarah taylor]

Thanks yes have powerheads just find them but noisy if at surface and under doesn't seem to do the trick ! Yes prob need bigger power head.. thanks heaps x

[Anemone]

Originally Posted by sarah taylor

Thanks yes have powerheads just find them but noisy if at surface and under doesn't seem to do the trick ! Yes prob need bigger power head.. thanks heaps x

The issue with an air pump, as mentioned, is that all those bursting air bubbles create quite a bi of salt splatter and salt creep. A powerhead pointed toward the surface (. even one place on the bottom of the tank, creating surface agitation), is a better (and cleaner) bet.

Kevin

[homer1475]

Problem I had in my QT is the wands I used had bubbles so fine they acted like a skimmer. Usually not an issue, but in my QT it turned the tank brownish looking(think of whats in your skimmer but not getting skimmed out).

I do use them in QT and have a huge salt creep issue. Other then salt creep, they are perfectly fine to use.