I like this algae on my rocks

[Aeon]

I have this greenish algae coating on my rocks. It stays short and it's quite pretty. It bubbles more than actual plants (see pic) and provides oxygen for my fish. The bubbles are extremely fine and light so they dissolve better I guess.


Whole rock bubbling with a spot with constant stream of fine bubbles.

I wonder if it can be a good water quality indicator

[hwchoy]

when plants bubble it means the O2 content in the water is already saturated, that’s why they appear as bubble. As such they won’t be able to dissolve, but that’s not an issue since your O2 content is already very high.

[Aeon]

[quote:2378158d5d="hwchoy"]when plants bubble it means the O2 content in the water is already saturated, that’s why they appear as bubble. As such they won’t be able to dissolve, but that’s not an issue since your O2 content is already very high.[/quote:2378158d5d]

Hey thanks for the knowledge!
Can it also be the production is so fast that bubbles are formed?

[hwchoy]

not sure about that, but in general if your plants are pearling you can assume the fishes are doing pretty well

[Aeon]

Thanks alot!

Something I've been thinking. Whether higher CO2 concentrations is better for fish... ?? read on...

I recently raised my bps to 3 to counter BBA and I noticed lots and lots of bubbling from plants and green algae on rocks. Fishes became more active and no gasping.

Before (2bps)
KH 4, pH 6.7, CO2 24ppm
Fishes not active, likes to stay at bottom. Plants bubbling normal.

After (3bps)
KH 5, pH 6.4 CO2 47ppm
Fishes gasped initially. Plants bubbling increased tremendously. Fishes stopped gasping and more active, swimming more.

I'm thinking if the increased photosynthesis resulted in the water saturated with oxygen that fishes are not affected by the high CO2 level. Also, will high O2 prevent acidosis?

[theodore]

Unfortunately, O2 saturation will not prevent CO2 acidosis ... It will, however, get your fishes "high" though.

To verify this, you can always increase your CO2 concentration (from 47ppm* to 100ppm within an hour) once your fishes (I quote) "stopped gasping and more active, swimming more".

* 47ppm, should this figure is accurate, is rather high and may cause discomfort for some critters.

[Aeon]

Fishs aren't quite good indicators. I'll observe my shrimps.