Reply With QuoteOnly 0.04% of the air is CO2. I do not think it is sufficient for mid to high light planted tanks.
The air pump has an inlet opening usually at the bottom side, covered with a thin paper filter.
Hi all
In a CO2 tank, the airstone is avoided so that the Co2 from tank does not get evaporated easily, however, in a non Co2 tank, is airstone beneficial? Is the amount of Co2 that it brings in from the atmospheric air greater than the amount that it loses from the tank?
Further, where does the air pump extract its air from as there is not inlet for suction of the air from outside?
TIA.
Only 0.04% of the air is CO2. I do not think it is sufficient for mid to high light planted tanks.
The air pump has an inlet opening usually at the bottom side, covered with a thin paper filter.
To rephrase, in non Co2 tank, should we turn on or off the airstone if we wish to increase the carbon in tank?
TIA.
Having an air stone in the tank basically creates surface agitation from all the bubbles moving and popping at the surface, thats what creates the active gas exchange that balances the oxygen and Co2 in the water.
In a non-Co2 injected tank, livestock in the tank breathe oxygen and produce Co2, so thats one source of Co2. Gas exchange at the surface also introduces some Co2 into the water (if it was at lower levels) or off-gas the Co2 (if it is artificially increased too much like in a Co2 injected tank). Surface agitation is sort of like an "auto-balancing" gas exchange process.
For a non-Co2 injected tank, its always good to run an air stone, mainly for oxygenation. But while it could mix back in a little bit of atmospheric Co2 to balance out, its not really enough to make a significant difference in plant growth.
Last edited by Urban Aquaria; 6th Oct 2015 at 16:59.
That is very detailed, Urban.
Should I leave my airstone on or off then? TIA!
I find that leave airstone on the whole time will increase algea growth...
I suggest it will be better if you set the air pump on timer, to be turned on after the lights are out and off when the lights are on...Originally Posted by Victor Cheong
With airstone there is more cirulation and thus algae growth slower and lesser, no?
For a non-Co2 injected tank, just leave the air stone on... the extra oxygenation will benefit the livestock and also the beneficial bacteria too.
Victor, what is your tank filtration method? If its those hob kind, maybe airstone is not needed afterall?
Destress, canister and rainbar placed 5cm below water surface.
Not an expert here, but if its planted tank, i may not turn on airstone if the filtration is strong enough for tank. Of course, need to monitor your livestocks to see if they are always ar top of water for air.
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