Do we need Aerators in aquarium? Is oxygen pump nessasary?

Every beginner has this one question; Are air pumps nessesary for our tank?  So here I am to clear this question. 

We will look at how do air pumps work, how they help your fish, and reasons to always have one. 

How do Air pumps work?

Air pumps, as you may have thought do not supply oxygen to the tank. What they do is, put fresh atmospheric air into the tank water. The air that goes in the tank wants to escape the water and so move out as air bubbles. When these bubbles continuously hit the water surface, it causes surface agitation, and the oxygen layer above the surface of water gets a chance to get into the water. 

Here's an illustration of how it works:

Credit: How stuff works

Who should have an Airpump?

The direct answer to this is Everyone with a fish tank should have an air pump.

People who have a normal setup/ artificial setup should always have an air pump. Because your tank doesn't have any live plants that will produce oxygen for the tank. So the air pump will be the only source of oxygen in the tank.

Now people with planted tanks have their plants as oxygen producers. So if you have plants, there is no need for an air pump running. But if you have planted the tank heavily with lots and lots of plants; you may need one. During the day, plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, whereas at night the process reverses! So carbon dioxide from so many plants will reduce oxygen concentration and suffocate your fish. So if you notice that fish are dying frequently during the night, then keep an air pump running at low power at night. The air pump should be never kept running during the day n planted tank. 

Why everyone should always have an air pump

- It just looks great. If you don't like an air stone, you can keep various decor like the famous scuba diver.

- Necessary for artificial setup and heavily planted tanks.

- It is necessary for sponge filters

- Should be used in a quarantine tank to help supply the sick fish with more oxygen.

- If you have fish fry/babies air pump helps in more gas exchange and thus helping in the fast growth of the fry. 

- For tropical tanks with high water temperature, can be used as high temperature leads to low oxygen concentration.

- If your tank has big-sized fish, air pumps help to supply the huge oxygen demands of big-sized fishes.

So hope this article cleared your all doubts regarding air pumps and if you like it please do share this blog and help us grow.