Leave The House For One Minute...

[techen]

Then poof goes the power, It only just came back on but I sat watching all my fish sit at the top gasping for air. Makes you think how much the filter and powerhead really means to your tank.

 

[TallTree01]

That's intense.... Are you sure it's cos of the power shortage

 

[dgwebster]

Foot pump + hose man, cmon where is your dedication??

 

[techen]

Just had another powercut, 2nd one.
 
You need to remember that my tanks are heavily planted, When lights are off plants produce CO2 and suck up oxygen.
 
Combine that with no surface flow and you have no oxygen.

 

[Shelster]

Yikes, that s not a good combination - your next splurge should be on a generator!

Seriously, I've used one on my tank before

 

[techen]

4th powercut now, It's getting powering boring my lights turn on and off.
 
I think there switching power stations now.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Owch, sounds nasty!
 
Our power was off for about 6 hours the other weeks and I panicked a little. My tank isn't heavily planted though 

 
Fingers crosssed that it's sorted soon for you! (and your fishies)

 

[techen]

God my phone really makes a mess of my english.
 
Anyway, 6th off on. Powers back on again, Mini power cuts it seems, No idea why.

 

[TallTree01]

I didn't know plants created co2 when lights are out. Interesting,

 

[Joshwainwright]

I didn't know plants created co2 when lights are out. Interesting,

They don't
 
They take in oxygen and without any filtration or surface movement, less oxygen is being put in to the water while it is still getting taken out by the plants. 

 

[leighton_87]

I didn't know plants created co2 when lights are out. Interesting,

They don't
 
They take in oxygen and without any filtration or surface movement, less oxygen is being put in to the water while it is still getting taken out by the plants. 

Now I'm no botanist - but I'm pretty sure that plants create CO2 during the day and the night through respiration.

However, during the day (ie when the lights are on) they absorb CO2 as a part of their photosynthesis.

Therefore during the day they are both using and creating CO2 - while at a night they are still creating CO2 but not using any.

Plants will use oxygen both with and without the lights out

This is my understanding of 'normal' plants - info not know if this is any different with aquatic plants

 

[This Old Spouse]

Erm, I was taught that plants take in CO2 and produce oxygen.

 

[frapadoodle]

Umm, if plants were producing that much CO2 with the lights off, well then wouldn't the recommended light cycle be more towards 18-20 hrs. on a day and not the 8-10?
Yes plants do exhale a small amount of CO2, as animals exhale a small amount of O2. I believe you have some other problem causing your fish distress.

 

[Joshwainwright]

Now I'm no botanist - but I'm pretty sure that plants create CO2 during the day and the night through respiration.

However, during the day (ie when the lights are on) they absorb CO2 as a part of their photosynthesis.

Therefore during the day they are both using and creating CO2 - while at a night they are still creating CO2 but not using any.

Plants will use oxygen both with and without the lights out

This is my understanding of 'normal' plants - info not know if this is any different with aquatic plants

 

Erm, I was taught that plants take in CO2 and produce oxygen.

 
Sorry, I was a bit unclear! 
 
I've just done a bit of quick research and as part of their metabolism, plants constantly 'burn' food using oxygen, which produces CO2...
 
However, of course - during the day, light allows the plant to photosynthesize so the amount of CO2 taken in is much greater than that that is created. One of the end products of photosynthesis, as you know is oxygen.
 
At night, there is no light so the plants cannot photosynthesize meaning more oxygen is used up than is produced.
 
Without surface agitation adding oxygen to the water, fish can be deprived of it due to the plants using it all up.

 

[TallTree01]

Erm, I was taught that plants take in CO2 and produce oxygen.

Same here. That's why we need so many apparently.