Introduction to Fish Tank Air Pumps

The air pump is a very important device, especially in certain tank environments where filtration is dependent on the circulation they provide (more on that later). These machines serve several important purposes, and while they aren’t absolutely crucial to the survival of your fish in every tank situation, they are still a valuable addition.

In any area where water is in direct contact with oxygen, there is an exchange of gases. Water absorbs oxygen from the air, and releases carbon dioxide. A fish tank pump works by creating bubbles in the water environment which act as an additional point of contact between oxygen and the water, facilitating more gas exchange. This makes the water healthier for fish, and it’s an important process.

Another thing fish tank pumps do is circulate the water around, and keep the oxygenated water spread evenly throughout your environment. The water at the top of your tank tends to be more heavily oxygenated, while the water in the bottom is loaded with carbon dioxide. The air pump will help move water from that surface area down into the tank, and help move stale water to the surface so that the carbon dioxide can be released.

Fish tank pumps also drive the movement of certain special ornaments, and as stated earlier there are many filters that require an air pump to work. In those cases, your fish will die unless you keep your air pump running properly.

Not every aquarium environment absolutely needs an air pump, but their advantages make them a great addition to most tanks. In many cases they are sold as a standard accessory included in the packaging with your tank, so that should give you a sense of how useful they are. As a general rule, it’s better to have an air pump than not.