In my aquarium, do i need my airpump all the time? i have an air filter and plants.

Question

i have had tropical fish for about 3 months and they seem fine. I put the air pump on when i go out as its very noisy, (approx 2 hrs a day). My friend who recently looked after my fish told me my fish are stressed, as i dont have the air pump on continually, they look normal to me , swimming etc although my gourami is chasing my rainbow fish around alot.

Answer 1

if they are live plants then yes u will be adding more oxygen for yr fish which is good but u need to let a air pump run continiously in yr tank not only to supply oxygen in the water but also many fish love swimming through the current of the bubbles i surround mine with cotton wool to stop the vibration and noise hope this helps u out  

Answer 2

if it runs the filter then yes-try sitting it on a towel to lessen the noise

Answer 3

i would leave the pump on all the time. walmart sells small pumps that are pretty quite for about 10$

Answer 4

if you don't sleep in the smae room then I suggest to leave on  all the time. thats what I do to all three of my tropical fish tanks!  

Answer 5

Leave the pump on. It provides oxygen to the water for the fish. You will get used to the noise from the pump (I have to listen for mine), but if it is excessively noisy, check the pump for damage. Put a foam rubber pad under the pump to isolate the vibration, a likely source of noise.

Answer 6

If the pump is running your filter then it needs to be on 24/7.  If it's just running an airstone and you have another filter running then it doesn't need to be on but it shouldn't be noisey.  You can sit it on a sponge or towel if the vibration is making the noise but if it's the diaghram making the noise then you need a new pump.

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Answer 7

I would say no because your filter will airate the  water. My bubbler scares my fish. Also, the filter I have sometimes pushes groups of bubble into the water. I don't like live plants in my tank. It makes it all scuzzy.