Do you need an air stone if using a trickle tower

[Stickel62]

I have a 75 gallon that is 31” tall with a 20 gallon sump with trickle tower. I plan to do discus. Do I need an air pump stone. No plants. The sump return will be below the water line so not a whole bunch of aeration. It’s my first time using a trickle tower or going bigger than 55 gallons or discus for that matter. Wasn’t sure if the trickle put enough o2 in the water to not use an air stone. Any help is appreciated.

[zhuls1]

It will depend on your stocking density, the denser the more aeration needed. Are you able to point the output from your return towards the surface? If so I would recommend doing that to increase gas exchange. Agitation is what is important and that is what we use air stones for, as long as there is adequate surface agitation you should be ok.

[zhuls1]

Also, if you wish you can buy specialised oxygen tests. But I prefer another method (simply because you dont have to buy unnecessary tests) by testing Ph first thing in the morning and late in the evening / night. If the PH has a significant change, that means you need more aeration. This test can only be applied once you have fish consuming oxygen though, another bit of advice would be to simply watch your fish. I dont know about discus in particular, but many fish will tend to hang around the top of the tank when oxygen is depleted. Hope this helps.

[Ryan925]

I would say that is one of the benefits of a wet/dry is gas exchange but I suppose your fish will tell you if it's sufficient or not

[ssevasta]

I would say that is one of the benefits of a wet/dry is gas exchange but I suppose your fish will tell you if it's sufficient or not

+1