water turbulence/aeration for plecos

gibbylover2 · Post by **gibbylover2** » 27 Feb 2005, 21:55

hi there,
have recently set up new 40g tank with water from established tank (and media) and have one gold nugget and 2 gibbies (will get 6 foot tank later to accomodate size). have a fluval 204, put output nozzle halfway down tank to better simulate river current. this is my first mainly pleco tank, have driftwood and rocks etc. just wondering if i need to add airstone or other method of increasing turbulence at water surface/oxygenation. i know these catfish are used to fast flowing rivers with lots of oxygen. catfish seem ok, have only been in new tank for 5 days (prev small quarantine tank) in fact the gold nugget is way more sociable and is quite active even during the day. however my 2 guppies whom i just moved out of the tank were hanging out at the water surface sucking air, and very occasionally (have seen this only 2 times each with all the plecs) the plecs go up to the surface for air. maybe not enough oxygen? need an airflow unit? my ph, nitrates etc are all excellent.

what do you guys reckon? i really want the best for these fishes, i'm obsessed with them at the moment.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 28 Feb 2005, 08:29

i wouldn't hesitate in getting a big air-stone. the aquarium, when it's got all its lights, hood and condensation tray, is quite a closed system.

there are very small gaps for air to exchange through. the air pump will force oxygen into the system.

get a big one!

Post by **Barbie** » 28 Feb 2005, 16:21

A good strong powerhead with the venturi running will also give you adequate surface disturbance, along with more current for the plecos. The fact that they are heading to the surface for oxygen means they are stressed. I'd definitely work on finding a way to get more oxygen dissolved in there for them. For now, move the fluval return to the waters surface.

In a closed box, the water is going to travel one way at the top of the water, and the other way at the bottom. That gives them current at least, and to be honest, my fish have never complained about it ;).

Barbie

gibbylover2 · Post by **gibbylover2** » 03 Mar 2005, 06:06

thanks guys
have moved inflow to top of tank, lots of water disturbance now, think plecs look more happy and active already, although maybe just wishful thinking? will buy airstone. not sure what a powerhead is and if we have them in nz.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 03 Mar 2005, 09:12

a power head is a submersible pump that used to be used to drive undergravel filters.

due to the reduced popularity in these, now they are manily used to provide current for fish like plecos.

here's a pic.

Alan_au · Post by **Alan_au** » 03 Mar 2005, 13:33

I still use U/G filters, there is nothing that comes anywhere near their performance if properly maintained.

But I avoid powerheads as they use the aquarium water to keep cool, thus heating the tank. This can be a real problem here, especially in Summer.

And if you are going to the expence of opperating a powerhead, why not incorperate it into a filter system of some sort ???

Alan.