Purpose of an Air Pump in an Aquarium

Aquariums all have the same need for oxygenated water, this need can be provided by a variety of different methods. Air pumps in your aquarium can be used to help filter the water, act as a decoration, and provide a power source for other parts of an aquarium's environment. While air pumps aren't necessarily required in an aquarium, many fish require filtered oxygen in the water for optimal health.

  1. Aerate The Water

    • One very important need fish have is oxygen. Oxygenating the waster is also called aeration. In natural environments, there are many plants per fish underwater, and the plants provide all the oxygen for the fish. In aquariums, there are usually not enough plants to provide oxygen, and the molecular exchange between the water and the air must provide that oxygen. This exchange is where water gives off carbon dioxide and receives oxygen. It occurs wherever water is touching air, so bubbles made by an air pump will provide a large surface area for the water to receive oxygen. This can improve health and energy of the fish in the aquarium.

    Power the Filter

    • Some filters, especially corner filters, under-gravel filters and protein skimmers, are powered by air pumps. The air is used to aerate the water, move a component of the filter or create a current. Currents help with air exchange by moving carbon dioxide-heavy water to the top and oxygen-rich water to the bottom of the tank. But currents also provide several other more important functions; they move waste and prevent the water from becoming stagnant. Stagnant water can be a host to all sorts of disease causing bacteria and fungi. It also just looks unsightly because it allows fish waste and algae to settle on gravel, ornaments, and the walls of the tank. Air pumps can provide currents to boost and power filter effectiveness.

    Enhance TheTank Ornaments

    • Some ornaments move or have moving parts to make the aquarium more attractive. The easiest way to provide the power to move the ornaments is through an air filter, because electrical wiring underwater is complicated and dangerous. Some examples of moving decorations are treasure chests, diver helmets and the mouths of fake fish or crocodile heads that open up to allow bubbles out. Other possible decorations are air stones. Air stones are gravel or look-alike gravel that allows bubbles to pass through them and up to the rest of the tank. Air pumps themselves can be disguised as decorations. Underwater lights will make bubbles light up and become a great decoration when combined with an air pump or air stones.

    Negative Side Effects

    • Air pumps may make a lot of noise, which can ruin the effect a tank is trying to achieve. Look for an air pump that says it runs quietly and keep the water level high in your aquarium to lower the noise. Some air pumps may increase the regular maintenance of a tank because they require cleaning and occasional part replacement. If an air pump is too large or a tank is too small, the current an air pump creates may be too strong and have an adverse effect on some fish instead of a good one.

    Alternatives

    • Air pumps are only one way to provide for the needs of an aquarium. Some filters can do the job of an air pump completely, especially filters with bio-wheels in them. These filters will circulate the water sufficiently and by doing so provide enough aeration to keep fish healthy. Water pumps, instead of air pumps, can power some more advanced protein skimmers.