Is My Oxygen Level Low?

[BeezerGeezer]

At the weekend I took my spray bar off to see of it would increase flow. It seems to have worked showing a good improvement in parameters, 0 ammonia and 0-0.25 nitrite. However, the last 2 mornings since I made the change I have found most of the fish hovering at the surface. My question is, would the oxygen level be that much reduced ny the reduction in surface movement? The tank is pretty much at the limit in fish numbers, but there are a lot of plants. Am I worrying unnecessarily? Will the O2 go up once the plants get some light on them?

 

[Staxx]

i dont think flow does anything to water parameters to be honest. i could be wrong though. but i dont see how improved flow would reduce ammonia or nitrate.

 

[ian]

flow won't make any difference to parameters.

As Long as there is a ripple along the top of the water, there will be enough O2 in the water.

 

[BeezerGeezer]

Surely, more water passing through the filter per hour has to improve water quality? However, I'm only talking about 0.25ppm for the ammonia, which is now down to 0. I've had the airpump on all day and the fishes seem happy enough. There is quite a bit of movement in the water below the surface, plants are swaying in the breeze, as it were.
I've just invested in a rudimentary Co2 kit but I can't, in my head, reconcile the plants need for that substance against the fishes need for O2.