Add an air pump?

[nawilson89]

I just installed a powerhead and I was wondering if it was beneficial or hazardous to add an air pump to my powerhead to add air to my aquarium.

Additional information:

The tank is full of macro algae and sea grass
20g tank
inverts
and 4 fish

 

[NanaReefer]

Hazardous no but you'll wind up with salt creep everywhere. Causes drop in salinity.
Better to point your power head at the waters surface.

 

[Anthony Wood]

Ditto^ you can also add a fan to blow across the water surface when the lights are on. it'll increase evaporation though

 

[nawilson89]

Thanks. I thought that having the extra air would prove beneficial to my macro algae and sea grass.

 

[Anthony Wood]

the air from a air pump doesn't add oxygen to the tank its when those bubble hit the surface and cause surface agitation. Oxygen exchange is at the water surface

 

[nawilson89]

the air from a air pump doesn't add oxygen to the tank its when those bubble hit the surface and cause surface agitation. Oxygen exchange is at the water surface

Ah. Thanks.

 

[Anthony Wood]

No problem!

 

[Reefing Madness]

Yea, no reason for it Wilson, just point your powerhead at the surface, that will get you the gas exchange you need.

 

[nawilson89]

Yea, no reason for it Wilson, just point your powerhead at the surface, that will get you the gas exchange you need.

It's currently pointed towards it, but I may adjust it a bit.

 

[AdamNC]

If you have a skimmer, that will also add to the o2 and help with the ph.

 

[nawilson89]

I realized last night that I was running my powerhead without the airline tubing that allows it to pull a bit of air in while pushing out water. With that in mind I put in the tubing this morning and it breaks up the surface more for gas exchange.

I'll continue to monitor the tank today.