Aeration & New Tank

[spannerman]

Hi all, I am soon about to set up my Juwel Trigon 190 tank using the Juwel background. I was wondering if it would be a good idea, or beneficial to tank, to install tubing for a couple of 3" or 4" airstones, one on either wall behind the background. I would probably bury the airstones in the gravel. What are forum members opinions on additional aeration of this kind and is it really necessary? Could you some recommend suitable plants, I don't seem to be able to keep them for long in my present set up. S.

 

[WILDER]

I have aeration in all my tanks, some fish like to play in the flow, its good to have one in just in case you need to use meds, as long as it isn't to much it should be ok.

 

[Fat Boy]

Hi Spannerman, It's my belief that airstones are not good for the planted aquarium, I'm sure someone here will tell you the exact reasons but the short of it is that plants need more CO/2 and less oxygen, adding airstones increase surface aggitation and admits more oxygen into the tank and decreases CO/2. You can get the right amount of oxygen into your tank using your filter outlet for surface aggitation. If your plants are still dying you could try adding CO/2 yourself. HTH.

 

[spannerman]

I should really have remembered from my school days that plants take in CO2 and give off O2. Is there a way of introducing CO2 into the system? S.

 

[yvez9]

you could buy a co2 thingy. or build one yourself.

You should have a look at the plants and planted tanks board on the forums

Your plants might not have enougb light either. Some plants require as much as 2 to 3 watts per gallon of water. Most aquairum setups will have between 0.5 and 1 watt per gallon.

a co2 injector with low lighting is not necessary in my opinion.