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Post by frankfishmonger on Jan 2, 2013 20:04:29 GMT -5
This topic has been hashed and rehashed over and over; however, I thought it wouldn't hurt to provide my experience and perspective. Back in the day, you had surface agitation / turbulence in your tank because all of the filters were run via air pumps. This wasn't a bad thing as it provided the oxygen needed by all of the tank inhabitants and, especially at night when the plants were giving off CO2. Many folks with planted tanks have the opinion that surface agitation causes CO2 to dissipate too quickly for the plants to take full advantage of it. Another school of thought holds that, since CO2 is more abundant in the air than it is in water, turbulence is actually beneficial as it adds CO2 and oxygen through the gaseous exchange caused by turbulence. I have tried both no and moderate added (beyond that provided by the filter) aeration and haven't really noticed any difference in plant health. Accordingly, since I feel it is beneficial to the fish, I believe that moderate agitation / turbulence caused by the use of air stones is a plus and would suggest it. This applies to low tech planted tanks that do not have CO2 injection only. Surface agitation would be counter productive to that sort of arrangement.
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Post by guppyguy on Jan 7, 2013 6:48:48 GMT -5
Home made co2 input -
If you do want to add a little co2 to your tank for the plants and insure they get enough with out spending a small fortune you can do this lil home set up I have used for years and it works great . Plus its almost free lol maybe 3-4 dollars worth at best .
1. air line
2. 2.liter soda bottle
3. yeast packet
4 . 1 cup of sugar
First you put a hole in the soda bottle lid , get a nail hot using pliers to hold the nail and melt a small hole in the lid just big enough for the air hose to fit snug . A dab of 100% non toxic silicon will make sure the line is air tigh in the lid .
Then put the yeast and cup of sugar in the bottle and fill to about 85% of the way full with luke warm water not cold or hot as either will not work just warm .
Make sure the air line coming in from the lid doesnt go into the water mixture , and close the lid tightly onto the bottle .
Place the other end of the line in the intake of your filter , make sure it doesnt back feed water into the bottle . Place the bottle to rest even with the tank , behind it or so on .
You will need to check about monthly , when the mixture smells of alcohol dump it and re mix . Now you have a home made co2 input .
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Post by frankfishmonger on Jan 7, 2013 8:09:41 GMT -5
Thanks, great tip ! Think I'll experiment with it.
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Post by guppyguy on Jan 7, 2013 14:30:53 GMT -5
Thanks bud , wasnt sure if it was the right place to post it or not lol . But it kinda went with the topic .
I have had reall good luck with it ( all swords & lillys flowering above water ) . Its cheap to lol that makes it even better .
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Post by frankfishmonger on Jan 7, 2013 19:45:33 GMT -5
Hey pal, at this point, we don't need to worry about where a post goes but, I would have done the same thing as you. I won't be moving threads and posts around...I don't know how !
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Post by guppyguy on Jan 8, 2013 4:26:59 GMT -5
Lol , I hear ya . Im really thinking of down grading my software , I know that sounds odd but I have a computer that cost way to much considering I have got no idea how to make it do half of what it can lol ( I think I saw a move post icon thing at the bottom of the page )  |
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Post by FishManDan on Jan 10, 2013 6:14:59 GMT -5
Make that post in the diy section.
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Post by frankfishmonger on Jan 10, 2013 8:04:26 GMT -5
I copied and pasted it, Dan.
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Post by FishManDan on Jan 10, 2013 16:23:08 GMT -5
Cool...
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