Airstones?

[Too Fast]

I have just noticed on another part of the forum that someone mentioned it's best not to run an airstone in a planted tank.

Is this true?

Is there a happy medium if it's best not to as I have a few fish and want to keep it for there benifit?


Thanks.

 

[stevereade]

If its for your co2 yeah

 

[mtv8dmarine]

I have just noticed on another part of the forum that someone mentioned it's best not to run an airstone in a planted tank.

Is this true?

Is there a happy medium if it's best not to as I have a few fish and want to keep it for there benifit?


Thanks.

Airstones aren't necessary for fish. Ripples in the water surface are enough to circulate oxygen through the tank. While plant are in their photo period, they will give off oxygen anyway. When they are not in their photoperiod they consume oxygen and give off CO2. This is why you don't run CO2 at night when plants are in the dark. Anyway...just ripple the water surface and you'll be fine. This can be done with powerheads or allowing power filters to cascade into the tank water.

 

[Too Fast]

Since I already have an airstone in the tank am I best to put it on a timer to come on at night or should I scrap it altogether?

 

[ian]

hang on a min...are you using pressurised C02 OR diy C02 or any C02 at all?? Theres no need for air stones with any of these. Don't worry about having an airstone. Air stones are mearly ascteic, they create alot of areation in a non C02 somtimes to much which would upset the 02/C02 balance. You don't see airstones much in planted tanks.

 

[Too Fast]

I'm not using CO2 at all. I started using Flourish Excel yesterday.

 

[Too Fast]

I have good surface disruption from the inlet so I can't see oxygen being a problem.

 

[ian]

what we would aim for is a ripple and just a ripple. Trying not to break the water surface. An airstone can/does create a lot of surface movement, also breaking it. C02 is very important in a planted tank, as is 02. Creating to much surface area movement can be detremental to the C02 balance in the water. The filter outlet is normally creates enough surfae aggitation (just the ripple). So you are right, the 02 won't be a problem, but the C02 will.