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I got this 90 gallon tank that has a HOB filter, canister filter, and a powerhead. I also didn't realize from the guy that I bought this from that he also has an air pump. However there is no tubing and no undergravel filter or air stone. So if someone have any recommendations if I should add the air pump to the tank too? If I do, should I go for an undergravel filter or just an air stone? Fish currently in the tank are ones that I got from the guy with the tank.

2 common plecos
3 green severums
1 Blue Gourmi
1 Yellow Electric Cichlid
1 unidentified mid level fish, about same length as gourmi

It's probably not needed. The HOB filter and the powerhead (provided it is shooting toward the top or has one of those Venturi air-tube things) should provide more than enough aeration. If you wind up adding it, I'd just use an airstone. But, I don't think there would be any harm in going all out.

Hi there!

Id just go for a bubble wand, or a large airstone, and bury it under the gravel. This way the gravel is aerated and you get a nice bubbling effect from the gravel. you dont see the stone and you get the aeration too!

On the other hand, if you wanted a maxxed out filtration system, you could go with the UGF. Just get a plastic airstone (Thread) and hook it up to the UGF. It would certainly add some Bio-Filtration to your tank, and can allow for the comfort of the fish, i guess...

Anyways, i would suggest Option A, because you dont really need the extra filtration, unless your HOB is under or at the tank's level. If it is for a 90 gallon, i would suggest getting the UGF, but if it is lower, then just get a Canister filter instead...

Have fun, and be creative!

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it totally depends on wht you want to do...

you could buy one of those animated ornaments, you could get a wand(or curtain).

you could get an air stone and just put it like previously stated...


the opportunities are endless, the only barrier is expense...

airstone+tubing=~6$ depends on type of stone (based on regular inexpensive stones)

tubing+ornament=15$-...

tubing+curtain/wand=10$-20$ depends on curtain variety and length

if you want to try it do, if not no worries. if you do and don't like it isn't that much money lost...

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

My knowledge of HOB is zero if it is big enough and is sufficient I would not alter it. You will be running a duel system as it is and in my opinion this is always the best way to go. (I run a UGF and an Eheim Pro11 in the 5ft tank) Not knowing the length I would either run a long air wand on the surface or clip it to the back of the tank about 1ins above the substrate to get the full advantage of the wand, or several ceramic (glass) 4ins air stones.
Air wands and air stones can and will clog up if buried in the substrate. To aerate the substrate you would have to but a lot of wands under the substrate to do it correctly. Also it is totally unnecessary if it is very regularly deep gravel cleaned.

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Keith

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i would run a RUGF instead of going with the UGF. Also i find that the lift tubes are better hooked up to a couple of power heads instead of just air stones for better flow.



"All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was."
Toni Morrison.
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tee the air line and run a airstone into the HOB filter if there is 2 sides like a penguin bio wheel run it in both sides the bubbles will float in the filter. and bam . better then any in tank setup

1-Ancistrus triradiatus 4-Gymnocorymbus ternetzi 2-Danio frankei
2-Danio rerio 2-Danio Starfire 2-Chromobotia macracanthus 2-Erpetoichthys calabaricus 4-Ampullariidae 1-Mastacembelus erythrotaenia

OK, I admit it... I'm confused. Why would you inject the
air into a HOB filter? Generally speaking, one adds an
air stone to increase circulation within the tank, to
increase the O2 levels within the tank, because many
think the tank looks good with bubbles rising toward the
surface, and because many species of fish like to play
among the bubbles.

As with the injection of CO2, the longer the bubbles are
under water, the more gas is absorbed by the water.
in an HOB filter, the exposure time would be less than a
second as the water is very shallow. Also, any increase
of oxygen level within the water flowing out of the filter
would be lost in the agitation of the water's surface
where the water from the filter returns to the tank.
With injection into the tank, especially if they are
micro bubbles, the exposure time is seconds and maybe
even minutes (depending upon the tank currents and
bubble size).

Personally, if the tank is moderately stocked, and the
filter is the correct size for the tank, then I'd relegate
the pump to a closet should the filter fail for some reason
that way you would have circulation within the tank.
Keep in mind that filters are manufactured for a range of
tank capacities. By that I mean one could be good for
30-55 gallons. If you are going to put this filter on a
55, then the filter will be filtering at is maximum
capacity, and I'd stock the tank lightly. Whereas if you
had a filter that was good for 55-90 gallons, then the
55 or 75 gallon tanks could be moderately to, perhaps,
slightly, over stocked as the filter is designed to handle
more of a bio-load.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Just out of curiosity I have to ask two things. Why do you think you need to run air? The two filters alone should be enough to keep the tank well aerated. Do the fish appear stressed? gasping for air near the surface of the water in the mornings? Then perhaps an airstone would be necessary. As was stated above, many fish do enjoy playing in the bubbles, I know several of mine do. Not all but enough.
Second, why a UGF? The cann and HOB will provide excellent filtration. Do you need more? Depending on the decor in the tank I may put an airstone for fish to play in, or a nice little diver. Maybe a treasure chest that opens by air bubbles. Or the oyster... Probably I'd stick it in the cabinet and save it for a rainy day.

you should be fine without one. but what type of power head is it? because I know mine, I have the option to hook up hoses to it and push air threw it.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction