The Real Purpose of Aquarium Air Pump and How to set it up

An aquarium air pump is a primary equipment necessary to create the bubbles we see in fish tanks. And the primary purpose of making bubbles is to sustain the oxygen level in the water.

Why do we need bubbles in the aquarium?

Although watching the bubbles rising to the top might be pleasing to the eyes, it is not the reason why we need it. Fish require dissolved oxygen (O2) in the water to live. They take in the dissolved oxygen through their gills and at the same time they produce carbon dioxide (CO2). When we have more than just a few fish in a closed system, there is not enough oxygen to go around. Sooner or later the water will run out of oxygen, and the fish will die.

The simple solution to prevent the fish from dying to the lack of oxygen is to increase the dissolved oxygen level in the water. At the same time, we must drive out the dissolved carbon dioxide from the water. It requires to speed up the gas exchange between water and the atmosphere.

The one way to promote the gas exchange is to have a lot of surface water movement. Since you can’t just stand there and splash the water all day, you will need something to do the job for you. A long time ago, someone had noticed that when the air bubbles burst at the water surface, they create a lot of surface movement. As a result, it is just what we need to promote the gas exchange.

Now we know the real purpose of making bubbles in a fish tank. Time to move onto the next topic.

How to make bubbles in a fish tank?

First, we need the right equipment. The main equipment to pump the air is the aquarium air pump. However, on its own, the air pump can’t do the job by itself. We will also need additional accessories including an air tubing and an air stone.

How to install an aquarium air pump?

1. Find a suitable location for the air pump.
First, the air pump must be near the aquarium but not too close. Since the aquarium air pump is an electrical device, and it is not waterproof. We must be careful not to let it fall into the water or get wet.

So find a place where the air pump can be higher than the aquarium, yet it is not directly above. In case it falls, it will not fall into the water. It also needs to reach an electrical outlet.

2. Connect air tubing to the air pump.
Not much to say about this step. It is quite simple. Just make sure the air tubing is long enough to reach inside of the aquarium.

3. Connect the air tubing to an air stone.
The air stone needs to be under the water inside the fish tank.

4. For safety reason, we need to add a check valve.
Somewhere outside the fish tank, we need to cut the air tubing. Then place the check valve in between. It will connect both sides nicely. The air check valve allows the air to go through while preventing the water go back to the air pump in the case there is a power outage.

Once everything is connected, plug the air pump into an electrical outlet and turn it on. The air pump will push the air through the air tubing all the way to the air stone. Once the air gets there, the pressure will squeeze the air through the many tiny holes in the air stone to create bubbles.
As the bubbles rise to the water surface, they burst and thus creating the much-needed surface movement to promote the gas exchange.

Things to pay attention when it comes to the aquarium air pump.

Once again, make sure not to let the air pump get wet or anywhere near the water. The funny thing is, almost every air pump manual has a diagram saying do not put it in the fish tank. I guess it must have happened before. It could be dangerous. Just like throwing a TV into the water.

Aquarium air pumps make noises. Since some air pumps make less noise than others, to pick a model makes the least noise might be in your best interest.
The following a few of the better air pumps from top brands.
1. EHEIM Air Pump 400
2. Tetra Whisper Aquarium Air Pump

You can also hide the air pump in a closet behind the door if your air tubing is long enough to reach the fish tank. This way you can distance yourself from the source of the noise while you enjoy yourself watching the fish.

On a side note, there are a few scenarios where this “bubbler” set up is not needed.
1. If you have a hang on the back power filter which creates a waterfall from its outflow, there is already enough surface water movement. No need for the bubbles unless you want to see them.

2. If you use an air powered sponge filter for your aquarium, it already makes the bubbles you need. No need for a separate set of the air stone.

Finally, for people who have multiple fish tanks or wish to have multiple air stones at different locations in the same aquarium, a single aquarium air pump is sufficient if it has enough power. (Check the manufactured rating for each device). All you need is to have some extra air tubing and air stones, along with a Y valve or T valve, or a gang valve (air flow control). These valves will divide one air tubing into multiple. You just need to cut and connect them in the right place. Also, a gang valve can act as a regulator. So you can control the air pressure goes to each air stone by adjusting the gang valve.