Plants, Oxygen And Airstones

[Teacher Martyn]

Hello,

I'm new to 21st century fishkeeping having resurrected the hobby again since teenage.

I have a 140l planted tank with a couple of (at the moment) small angels, six silver-tip tetras and three cherry barbs

I want to have a nicely-planted tank with healthy plants and fish without being particularly obsessed about the plants but am confused about the oxygen/CO2 thing.

I would like to see the fish having plenty of oxygen and wanted to install a small pump and airstone. Not least of all because I find the airstone's output quite attractive in the tank.

However, I am unsure how detrimental this additional air will be to the plants.

Can anyone explain?

Thank you.

 

[CezzaXV]

The airstone shouldn't affect the plants in any way as far as I know.

Ideally you want to position your filter so that the output it breaking the water's surface and creating ripples - this is where the majority of your gas exchange will happen. Once this is in place, an airstone is just an unnecessary addition. Not to say that you can't have one, but it won't serve any purpose other than being decorative.

 

[pablothebetta]

Adding to CezzaXV, your plants will oxygenate the water themselves too remember, so I wouldn't worry too much about an airstone if you want it for that reason. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with Possible new journal here?

 

[Teacher Martyn]

Thanks for the replies. It's good to know that I don't have to have an airstone. Although, there's a corner of my tank that I think would look nice with a small 'wall of bubbles'. They'd reflect the light.

As for the journal idea. I had considered it when I started cycling but it was all over so quickly that I never got going. I don't have a decent camera either.

Thanks again.

 

[ian]

if you're injecting C02, airstones can be a problem as they can give you fluctuations in the amount of dissolves C02 due to the excess surface agitation. In a low light low tech tank they can be OK, i still wouldn't in a planted tank though, when i say planted, i mean 60% or more plant coverage.

 

[richpowell1989]

if ur filter outlet is causing ripples in the surface water i wudnt bother wit the airstone i have never used one i think the bubbles are ugly and un natural in a planted tank plus i beleive its un needed