Lots Of Surface Agitation

[penguinpimp1990]

i was wondering if i ran a bio wheel filter on a very lightly planted brackish tank (2wpg) could i make 2 DIY co2 by psued and acheive 25-30 ppm? i was wondering because this tank will have tons of bbg's which naturally inhabit the lower depths of the tank where oxygen levels are lowest. and a very lightly planted somewhat slow growing tank wont supply much oxygen, so im guessing surface agitation is the only way.

 

[pseud]

Doubtful with high surface agitation.
I've found reducing the surface agitation to be a very important factor in keeping CO2 levels at optimal.

 

[panboy]

i dont understand why a biowheel filter will agitate the suface. maybe if the water level was too low, but that would happen with any filter.

?

 

[panboy]

anyone? because i have a marineland emperor filter and i have a diy co2 system and im reading about 25 ppm of co2, plus i have a powerhead on the opposite side of my filter for the heck of it.......

 

[pseud]

Because with a HangOnBack filter the return water flowing in breaks the surface tension of the water. The lower the water level the greater the turbulence and agitation, which results in a faster and greater loss of CO2. With other types of filter this just doesn't happen, which optimizes the use of CO2 in the aquarium.

You must naturally have your tank water level very high. I know I used to keep at least an inch at the top, now I'm lucky if there's a 1/4"!