How Important Are Airstones?

[kakihara]

Hi,

Just got some Java moss along with what I think is a bunch of Salvina, but I am wondering what effect the airstone I have in my tank will have on them.

I currently have one plant, which luckily enough has survived for almost going on a year now, but I'm a bit wary that could be due to the fact that there's just enough C02 in the tank for it to flourish and with these added plants there wont be enough for them all ... I have bought other plants for the tank which have subsequently died within a week.

So I'm wondering how to get the best benefit for both fish and plants ... what is the proper balance?

Can anyone advise

 

[The-Wolf]

adding an airstone will increase the surface area of the tank and drive some gasses (inc CO2) out of the water.
if you have a planted tank then you shouldn't have an airstone running during the day.

 

[Gilby77]

adding an airstone will increase the surface area of the tank and drive some gasses (inc CO2) out of the water.
if you have a planted tank then you shouldn't have an airstone running during the day.

Oh crikey, I have just read your post by chance, I have a fully planted tank and an airstone running constantly 24/7 - can you explain why I shouldn't run it during the day? Sorry if this seems like a really obvious question... I am still new to the world of fishkeeping!

Thanks!

 

[Tsi_User]

adding an airstone will increase the surface area of the tank and drive some gasses (inc CO2) out of the water.
if you have a planted tank then you shouldn't have an airstone running during the day.

Oh crikey, I have just read your post by chance, I have a fully planted tank and an airstone running constantly 24/7 - can you explain why I shouldn't run it during the day? Sorry if this seems like a really obvious question... I am still new to the world of fishkeeping!

Thanks!

I too have a planted tank with an airstone. Since I don't have a high WPG (which makes the plants need more CO2) I have used the air stone with no ill effects. Am I just lucky?

 

[jayjay]

Airstones don't make that much surface aggitation unless they have a powerful airpump, the surface aggitation by the filter would be enough.

The two plants you have aren't very demanding so should be fine.

 

[The-Wolf]

having an agitated surface will promote a faster/greater gas exchange, primarily CO2 is driven out of the water and O2 is driven in.
in a planted tank, during the day, plants absorb CO2 and give out O2.
During the dark this process is reversed.
IMHO airstone should only be run in planted tanks during the lights out period, thus giving you the best of both worlds.