Filters give the tank oxygen right??

Question

i did think/know they did.. til someone said they didnt.. but when the water is into the filter and it pours back out, it brings the oxygen into the tank right?

Answer 1

Filters help oxygenate the the tank water simply by moving it around. Most of the oxygen exchange happens at the waters surface, so as long as the water is moving around the tank then the oxygen gets distributed.

A normal power filter provides enough movement to keep a normal tank oxygenated, but you can help things by setting the outlet so it disturbs the surface of the water as much as possible.

Nothing that happens inside the filter provides oxygen, but simply by moving the water around they indirectly supply oxygen to the tank.

Ian

Answer 2

If it splashes or disturbs the top the top of the water your good to go.

It works like this....still calm water acts like a barrier keeping all gases in the water trapped inside.

when you disrupt the surface your breaking the barrier and oxygen can fly into the water from the air and CO2 can escape at the same time.

its called gas exchange.

your filter could run empty, just the fact thats its on brings in the oxygen if its disturbing the surface.

good luck!!!!

Answer 3

Yes, most filters break the surface tension of the water so its not so much adding oxygen to the water as it is aiding in the air-water oxygen exchange at the top of the tank.

Answer 4

You need surface area for oxygen there is a ratio square inches per inch of fish I don't remember the numbers but filters will help.