Don't O2verlook Oxygen

[mermaidboy1988]

Hi guys, I own a small aquarium with the DIY plastic reef. I just observe that my fish don't stay below the water but they often go to the surface to get some air or hanging out near the air filter. I regularly change the water, clean the water and make sure there's no waste on the water. I make sure my filters were not clogged and unclean. Is it with the DIY plastic coral?

 

[mermaidboy1988]

I'm planning to buy Air pump if that's the reason or maybe planning to buy this oxygen flow meter thing https://www.abestmeter.com/oxygen-flow-meter/, Is it a good Idea or maybe I need to change my DIY coral reef to real live plants? Please enlighten me.

 

[Forsaken77]

An air pump doesn't add oxygen to the water. It creates surface agitation, where gas exchange occurs.
Is this a freshwater or saltwater tank?

 

[mermaidboy1988]

An air pump doesn't add oxygen to the water. It creates surface agitation, where gas exchange occurs.
Is this a freshwater or saltwater tank?

It's a freshwater tank. How about the artificial coral reef? will I change it to live plants? and temperature of the water will it affect as well? I regularly change the water and make sure filters are always clean? you know it's a sudden occurrence.

 

[mermaidboy1988]

An air pump doesn't add oxygen to the water. It creates surface agitation, where gas exchange occurs.
Is this a freshwater or saltwater tank?

So you mean adding air pump will not help?

 

[Forsaken77]

So you mean adding air pump will not help?

It'll help, but in a different way than you think. If you have a powerhead, or the filter output making the surface of the water move, then that's essentially the same thing an air pump would do.

But an air pump would also bring the water at the bottom, which is least oxygenated, to the top. If you have multiple powerheads to circulate the water all around the tank, and ripple the top, then that's all you need.

As far as plants, I can't say. But I know there's a delicate balance you need for a planted tank. You need the proper lights for certain plants and they also need phosphate in the water. I think there's a site called plantedtank.com or something like that. They may be able to better help with freshwater and planted tanks in general. This is a saltwater site, unless you run across someone that has experience with planted tanks here. Some do.

 

[mermaidboy1988]

It'll help, but in a different way than you think. If you have a powerhead, or the filter output making the surface of the water move, then that's essentially the same thing an air pump would do.

But an air pump would also bring the water at the bottom, which is least oxygenated, to the top. If you have multiple powerheads to circulate the water all around the tank, and ripple the top, then that's all you need.

As far as plants, I can't say. But I know there's a delicate balance you need for a planted tank. You need the proper lights for certain plants and they also need phosphate in the water. I think there's a site called plantedtank.com or something like that. They may be able to better help with freshwater and planted tanks in general. This is a saltwater site, unless you run across someone that has experience with planted tanks here. Some do.

Thank you for your kind word and suggestions. Good to hear from an expert. Thanks