A fish tank pump, or an aquarium pump is a necessity in your fish tank. Fish need oxygen to stay alive. Very few types of fish are able to take in oxygen by coming to the surface of the water, and these are usually the large type that are not typically to be found in a fish tank.
To oxygenate water for your fish, a fish tank pump is used. It will bring in oxygen, and at the same time it will filter the water in the tank so that it’s clean of carbon dioxide waste.
The mechanism of a aquarium pump is basic. It draws in oxygen by moving the water surface so that it’s interacting with air. During that interaction, some of the air gets into the water and the oxygen within this air is utilized. If there was no movement of water in the tank, it would not draw in any air and thus there would be no oxygen.
The fish will be breathing in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide which needs to leave the water. Similar motion, caused by the fish tank pump will allow the carbon dioxide molecules to come together, form bubbles and escape the tank. Without the motion, the fish would suffocate because the carbon dioxide would not form bubbles and move upwards. This is why a fish tank pump is said to help in filtration as well.
Different Types of Fish Tank Pumps
1. External Aquarium Pump
This kind of pump draws air from the open air and pumps it into the fish tank through a hose attached to the pump. Once the air is pumped in, it causes water movement and thus the oxygenation, and carbon dioxide is released as well. It’s usually more suitable for small fish tanks or aquariums. These pumps can be a bit costly in terms of maintenance though. They clog often and need very frequent cleaning.
2. Internal Aquarium Pump
This kind of pump is immersed in the water. It creates currents that move the water so that water surface can break and admit oxygen while at the same time letting out carbon dioxide. It’s usually found in bigger tanks that would need more than just bubbles to cause water movement. The external pump is fitted with a powerhead, which is the one that causes the currents. You need to be careful though, because some fish can be harmed by powerheads.
Ideally, you are going to mix different kinds of fish in your fish tank. A larger one will have a greater variety of fish and there is bound to be some small ones in there. A strong current would overwhelm and tire them and they would eventually die. A strong current also means that food is regularly being swept away, and a slow fish may never get a bite to eat.
Since it is a must to aerate your water in a big tank just like in the small one, the thing to do is know the kinds of fish that can cope with the kind of current that the pump will provide. You can get guidance from the tank and pump sellers, or you can go for a tank that is already fitted with a pump. It will save you all the searching and fitting of the right pump for your tank.
There are also other things to consider. The size of your tank is a factor as well as the kind of plants that will be in it. The more the plants, the bigger a pump you will need.
A fish tank pump is an essential component of your fish tank – it is actually its life line. You need to know exactly what pump is best for your tank. Otherwise, go for a tank that comes fitted with a pump.