Powerhead.. air or not?

[Anubis1]

I have a powerhead in my 29 gallon. It came with a little air tube that has a little intake/diffuser bead thingy on the end (I just love my technical terms). When installed it adds a lot of tiny bubbles to the water flow coming out of the powerhead.

So far I have read conflicting info about using the air attachment and not using it for cycling a tank.

Is it better to use it and add the extra air?

Or is it better to just run the powerhead without it?

Also.. once the tank is cycled.. is the air better or not?

Thanks for any info you can give me!

 

[TheJGMProject]

Activating that air tube/line your talking about would be great for water/gas exchange, but from my experience it really doesn't matter. Its function also breaks up the waste that accumulates on the surface of the water (I personally hate that). Keep in mind you will have some bubble action too in your display tank. However, using the air line my also power down the max amount of gph the pump is capable of outputting. Good luck!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

The air does help with gas exchange, but causes "salt creep" wherever it splashes and can increase evaporation. I'd vote "no".

 

[Anubis1]

The air does help with gas exchange, but causes "salt creep" wherever it splashes and can increase evaporation. I'd vote "no".

I have a glass canopy.. wouldn't that help prevent some of the evaporation?

 

[Anonymous]

The air does help with gas exchange, but causes "salt creep" wherever it splashes and can increase evaporation. I'd vote "no".

I have a glass canopy.. wouldn't that help prevent some of the evaporation?

It'll help some, but as the water splashes it evaporates. You'll find soon enough that scale will begin to film over on the glass cover due to that splashing. But don't worry, that's easily fixed by rinsing it with white vinegar and lightly scrubbing it. Unless you are having known issues with a low redox in the tank, the additional air doesn't do much but make a mess IME/IMO.

 

[TheJGMProject]

I would go with NO too. if you want gas exchange get a protein skimmer. Salt creep is messy!

 

[Anubis1]

we have a protein skimmer on the way.. it SHOULD be here tomorrow (according to the tracking).
So as soon as we get it, it will be hooked up .. then I think I'll shut off the air to the powerhead. I just wasn't sure how much air in the water would be beneficial for cycling and the live rock.

 

[SnowManSnow]

I definitly wouldn't air line it.

My vote = no

 

[Anonymous]

If another no helps - let me add mine.

Save the bubbles for a FW tank!

 

[Anubis1]

thanks guys!

 

[shr00m]

definitley no, back like a decade ago i pumped air into my tank as standard practice, once i stopped no more nasty salt to clean up and no ill effects, make sures theres always surfice aggitation and all is good.