i was wondering how to best aerate my 10 gallon tank. as of now i have a hang on charcoal filter. the fish seem to be doing alright, very active.

the fish in the tank are:
1 male betta
5 neon tetras
5 zebra danios
1 ivory snail


will the hang on filter aerate the water enough for these guys or is it nessesary to buy an air pump?

thanks
rob

The hob should aerate it just fine. Surface movement is what causes O2 transfer, all the bubbles from an air pump really do is create more surface movement. If you think you need more aeration, just drop your water level a little. The flow from the filter will cause more surface movement.

The Hob should do just fine.

Tolak you're a little off on the theory there. The bubbles increase surface area and promote a current which brings more water ito contact with the surface. A decent bubbler can increase surface area by at least 50%. Remeber it's water to air contact that facilitates gas exchange.

The hob itself should be enough. Bettas hate bubblers and extra current. If the tetras start gasping at the surface (which I doubt will happen) consider adding a bubbler. :)

thanks for the advice.


-rob

My experience has been the opposite.
When my daughter's betta was in my 30 gal he played in my 6 inch bubble bar's curtain of bubbles and would intentionally swim into the flow from the HOB filter. Mom's betta also liked the bubble stone she put in with him. He was much more active after the stone went in than before.
I think that it all boils down to the fact that fish, like people, all have different personalities.

our betta loves to swim into the flow of the HOB too. he also flairs at the side of the tank b/c its a mirror. :lol: