Air Pump

[dolifisis]

My apartment gets quite warm in the summer so I recently bought an air pump for my 12 gallon. My question is where do I set the air flow? Is is possible to have too much?

[emc7]

You can have too much air if it stresses the fish. Some fish like calm water (i.e. bettas). Watch them see if the try to get away or if they play in it. (I think your fish will love it). And if you add CO2 for plants, bubbling air is counter-productive and will take CO2 out of the water. Also try not to have air bubbles popping on the lid as it will build up a mineral deposit.

If your pump not adjustable, use a check valve to regulate flow, but let the excess air "bleed off" into the air through an open valve rather than just restricting the flow. Too much "back pressure" can shorten the life of your air pump. Remember to either place the pump above the water line or to use a one-way check valve in the line. This prevents water from siphoning out of the tank in case of a power outage.

Overall, I think this is a good idea. Minnows like lots of dissolved oxygen in the water and it will help cool the tank in warm weather.

[dolifisis]

Thank you so much emc7. That's very useful information since I've never experienced the use of a air pump before. I do use a bit of C02 and the pump isn't adjustable. I just have the the check valve.