10/22/2026
💡 PRO CARE TIP: IMPROVE GAS EXCHANGE — NOT JUST WATER MOVEMENT
Strong flow inside your aquarium is important, but moving water underwater isn’t the same as exchanging gases with the air.
🌊 GET THE SURFACE MOVING
Aim some flow toward the surface. Visible surface agitation continually exposes new water to the surrounding air, improving gas exchange.
💧 USE YOUR OVERFLOW
Water passing across an overflow increases air/water interaction before entering your filtration system.
🫧 PROTEIN SKIMMERS DO MORE THAN REMOVE WASTE
By mixing large amounts of air and water, a protein skimmer can also be an important source of gas exchange.
🔄 CIRCULATION STILL MATTERS
Powerheads and return pumps distribute oxygen-rich water throughout the aquarium while bringing deeper water back toward the surface.
⚠️ MORE BUBBLES ≠ AUTOMATICALLY MORE OXYGEN
Air stones can help, but much of their benefit comes from the water movement and surface agitation they create, not simply from bubbles transferring oxygen directly into the water.
🌡️ Gas exchange becomes especially important with warmer water, heavier livestock loads, heavy feeding, increased bacterial activity and at night.
⭐ MOVE WATER THROUGH THE TANK — EXCHANGE GASES AT THE SURFACE.
🛒 NEED BETTER CIRCULATION OR GAS EXCHANGE?
Ellis Aquatics carries powerheads, return pumps, protein skimmers, air pumps and other aquarium equipment to help keep your reef properly circulated and oxygenated—all at the LOWEST prices!
📍 Ellis Aquatics
The HIGHEST quality, the LOWEST prices
2301 N Wilmington Ave., Compton, CA 90222
📞 562 822 6673
