Air Pumps/stones Are They Needed?

[loubega]

hi all,

going to create a java moss tank with 2 large shoals of fish - prop, congos and harliquins , just wondered if i need an air pump to help get extra o2 in the tank?

going to create a java moss back wall and a considerable amount of the floor will also be covered by java moss too. then will add a few amazon swords etc....

will corys and a BN plec be ok with the moss floor?

cheers

 

[Truck]

i wouldnt out oxygen in as it isnt needed for photo synthesis. it is a product of photo synthesis you need co2 injection mate.

heres the equation co2+water-light= oxygen+glucose(carbohydrate)or sugar.

 

[loubega]

i wouldnt out oxygen in as it isnt needed for photo synthesis. it is a product of photo synthesis you need co2 injection mate.

heres the equation co2+water-light= oxygen+glucose(carbohydrate)or sugar.

speakin to a few people they said that java moss doesnt need any co2 intake, it will grow well under normal conditions and plenty of light, is this right?

 

[Truck]

yes it will. but adding a oxygen supply decreases co2 as gasses are lost when the air passes through the water

 

[loubega]

yes it will. but adding a oxygen supply decreases co2 as gasses are lost when the air passes through the water

ok i wont add a air pump, just add liquid fert as well to increase growth,

congos and harliquins will look good i hope!

u think corys wil like moss floor?

 

[RadaR]

BTW, air pumps hardly put any oxygen in the water anyway. The bubbles created by most air stones are far to large and these rise to the surface, diffusing barely anything into the water. Only 20% oxygen would be pumped in anyway because the source is the air (mostly nitrogen). Air pumps only really cause surface agitation, which we don't want too much of because it drives off CO2.

but adding a oxygen supply decreases co2

Common mistake I'm afraid. Us planted tank enthusiasts do want CO2 in the water however at no point would we ever want there to be low oxygen. That would en-danger the fish. Idealy we want a good amount of both gases. This is achieved by injecting CO2 into the tank, aiming for 30ppm and a very slight surface movement (not enough to "break" the surface), which will benefit gaseous exchange and oxygen. Photosynthesis will also produce oxygen. An increase or decrease of either gas will not alter the concentration of the other.

u think corys wil like moss floor?

I'm sure they wont mind at all.

 

[drowning_fish]

well just an observation but when i look at my fish and the light has been off for a few hours they seem like they panting for air then when i turn on my airstone after a while they have calmed down with their gills?

 

[RadaR]

well just an observation but when i look at my fish and the light has been off for a few hours they seem like they panting for air then when i turn on my airstone after a while they have calmed down with their gills?

This can happen. Certainly with new fish. You can run an air stone at night, but make sure it turns off 2 hours or so before the light comes on, so that there is enough time for CO2 to get up the desired level.

 

[sjolliff]

Jusr been looking at this old thread via searching,

i wanted an fine air stone in mine

How do i know if iv got aroung the ideal 30ppm of co2? is there a testing kit?

does co2 lower oxygen and vice versa?

 

[Truck]

Jusr been looking at this old thread via searching,

i wanted an fine air stone in mine

How do i know if iv got aroung the ideal 30ppm of co2? is there a testing kit?

does co2 lower oxygen and vice versa?

old thread but ill reply

if your not injecting CO2 then you will have around 6-8ppm of CO2
to achieve 30ppm you will need pressurized CO2
the way to test for CO2 is with a drop checker and the appropriate solutions.
CO2 does not lower oxygen, and oxygen does not lower CO2, however surface agitation allows CO2 to gas off as it is very unstable in water.
air stones and pumps arent worth the money you pay for them IMO, the bubbles are way too big to be able to dissolve into the water, a little will though, but not much.

 

[RadaR]

Jusr been looking at this old thread via searching,

i wanted an fine air stone in mine

How do i know if iv got aroung the ideal 30ppm of co2? is there a testing kit?

does co2 lower oxygen and vice versa?

If you have an airpump on during the day and injecting CO2 at the same time you are wasting your time. The airstone will drive off the CO2.
See here on how to measure CO2 levels.
No, CO2 and oxygen have no direct impact on each other. High CO2 does not mean low CO2. In a planted tank we want good levels of CO2 and of oxygen. The only way you could influence one by changing the other is, more CO2 increases the photosynthesis of plants hence they produce more oxygen.

 

[sjolliff]

Cheers i might have it on but turn it off 2 hours before the lights etc come on