Using An Air Pump In A Co2 Set Up Tank

[Teddy]

I'd like to get this straight, because now I am doubtful. If your tank has a CO2 system for live plants, do you still use an air pump? Why or why not?

 

[voo]

It's best not to use an air pump as it creates more surface aggitation which is something you want to avoid when using CO2. The greater surface aggitation helps to release the CO2 from the water, which is what you dont want.

 

[Themuleous]

Its not the air pump per se that cause the problem, its the increased surface agitation then the bubbles break on the surface that causes you to lose CO2. If you can find a way of having the bubbles but keeping the surface relatively still then I dont see why you cant run an air stone.

I have my eheim spray bar pisitioned very slightly above the water line, this draws air bubbles into the tank without disturbing the surface too much. It also helps keep the oily film off the surface too.

Sam

 

[jcosgrove]

should the co2 bubbles be escaping to the surface?

 

[voo]

That's what the diffusers are for, to minimise the amount of CO2 reaching the surface without having disolved into the water. You might get a few bubbles reaching the surface, but it'll depend on how effective your diffuser is.

 

[jcosgrove]

my bubbles seem to be getting stuck in the diffuser, then a big one goes, is this correct?

 

[Themuleous]

I take it you've got a ladder type diffuser? The bubbles getting stuck is a common problem, and it should settle down after a few days. Once it has you should see them slowly rise to the top getting smaller as they go.

Sam

 

[rfisher]

Hi,

I have the hagen system and my bubbles were getting stuck and then to or three would get stuck together and then release as one biug one. After a couple of hours it seemed to sort itself out and yes they do start off big at the bottom of the ladder and then are really tiny by the time they reach the top. My Kuhli Loach also have a habit of swimming into the holes on the ladder and staying there and of course the bubbles then build up behind them, then just scury off and one huge bubble then gets let loose.

Rich

 

[jcosgrove]

Ive sorted it now, thanks. There seems to be a lot of bubbles coming out though!

 

[Themuleous]

Thats no bad thing! It'll also settle down in a day or too.

 

[jcosgrove]

should i monitor ph if there is a lot of bubbles?

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh I would, pH isnt the evil nightmare people to tend to think it is, so generally speaking it'll be ok, but I tend to test mine quite regularly. You'll also need to know the pH and KH to work out how much CO2 you've got in the tank.

Sam

 

[Teddy]

Thanks for the answers!

I'd also like to know if my method of diffusing CO2 into my tank is appropriate. What I do is I use a suction cup from my air tubing, and use it to stick the CO2 line at the bottom of the tank. Then I place a water jet on top of it. The CO2 bubble is released and is sucked up quickly into the water jet's intake. It is then spurted out into a bunch of tiny bubbles, which reach the ther side of the tank before the begin to go upwards. Does this give them enough time to diffuse? Since they are smaller, does this change anything?

 

[Themuleous]

Sounds good to me Teddy

 

[Teddy]

okay cool... thanks for the replies. At least i know that I am on the right track...